Theology is important. It is central to our faith as followers of Jesus, the Anointed One. Our theology forms our worldview at all levels or at least it should. So, our first question in asking or developing what Jesus’ Theology is “What is Theology.” Here is the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition – (I use this source because it is the most accessible definition people will access) -
Theology: noun
the·ol·o·gy \thē-ˈä-lə-jē\:
The study of religious faith, practice, and experience: the
study of God and God's relation to the world: a system of religious beliefs or
ideas
Full Definition of THEOLOGY
1: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience;
especially: the study of God and of God's relation to the world
2:
A: a theological theory or system <Thomist theology>
<a theology of atonement>
B: a distinctive body of theological opinion <Catholic
theology>
3: a usually 4-year
course of specialized religious training in a Roman Catholic major seminar Was this definition helpful to you or not? For some of you yes, others no.
Okay, so what do we do with this definition? Most of you are
not like me. In fact I have multiple university degree. I have graduated
with a Bachelors of Arts, Master of Theological Studies, Masters of Divinity,
and a Doctorate of Ministry. Yet, at the same time you are like me. Personally,
I do not find the above definition very helpful at all. I live in the real
world with real people. They all have a theology, but do not recognize it. The
fact is from the definition we learn that Theology maybe
confusing and at times very boring. What can I say after twelve years in
university, I feel like I may have earned the privilege make this statement.
Fear not – theology does not have to be confusing and
boring.
I advocate that when theology is properly taught, theology
is anything other then confusing and boring. Especially, when the theology you’re
learning is Jesus’ theology. When theology is properly studied, it engages the
heart and the mind. The heart leaps with excitement and opens the mind to
incredible imagination and wonder. Jesus, the Anointed One – his person and activities carries
such incredible depth of meaning and significance to our existence as the human
race.
It is my desire to help you engage Jesus as the SOURCE of
our theology and to write about this subject in an interesting and engaging
manner for you. Our theology should inform our lives – it should effect our lives here
and now.
Let’s begin with answering our question that started this blog
post, “What is Theology?”
The simplest definition
of Theology literally means “the study
of God.” Okay, that sounds good, but is it informative, not as much as I
would like it to be. So, “What is theology?” Try this definition - Theology
is entering into a lifelong conversation with God about Himself, ourselves, and
how He wants to live life with us. This is more informative. I like it, but I
don’t think this fully describes or engages what theology is.
“What is Theology?” – Maybe it is as simple as learning to engage
God as our best friend.
So far this is developing into something that sounds so much
better than the Merriam-Webster definition. Isn't there more to the theology then this? I am
glad you asked because, yes there is more.
Theology is
ultimately an adventure with God. This is how I feel about Therefore, if theology is an adventure with
God it is more than just knowing something or simply belief – for many people
theology is all about just having the right beliefs (orthodoxy). So, if
theology is an adventure with God it is something that has to be experienced,
as well as known. Learning theology comes through experiencing theology.
The first step in learning theology is experiencing
theology. How do we experience theology? This is where we begin to explore
Jesus’ theology. As we read the narrative of Jesus’ interactions with the
Pharisees, Scribes and the people who encountered him experienced his theology.
Jesus made many corrections of the Pharisees and the scribes through his
actions and their experience of the miracles he performed. The narrative of the
witnesses (the Gospels) are critical to our understanding. I appreciate
the exegesis of texts, (breaking down and out the meaning of words from the text of
the scripture), even more I appreciate the exegesis of the narrative of the
story. The recorded narrative is critical and important to bring out Jesus’
theology.
I don’t know how many post this series will take. One of the
things important to me is knowing if these blog posts are helpful to you.
Please subscribe and leave comments and questions.
I am looking forward to tackling this subject with you.
May you become a Jesus’ Theologian by experiencing the
presence of Christ within your life.
Dr. Doug
