Defending Theology

This week i have been reviewing an article by Grenz & Olsen called "Defending Theology" for MA Lead. The article was powerful and convicting on my conceptions of theology and in particular "Professional Theologians".. The following was my review..

“Don’t let that professor destroy your faith!”

It has been a real privilege to observe the reflections, observations and critical analyses of the students in my Master's Cohort with respect to their chosen article for the discussion forum. And it was no surprise to me that the article on defending theology has yet to receive any responses. For me personally, and if your anything like me, I’m sure the very thought of theology and its complexities sends cold shivers up your spine.

The above quote was a statement made by a member of the congregation whilst Grenz was preparing to leave for graduate studies. Whilst the comment to some may seem a bit extreme I think the statement represents a very real paradigm that I believe exists between Christians and their response to theology. I think back to my personal experiences of a handful of preachers and who have made offhand comments about theology, its purpose and its impact on a Christians ‘zeal’ for serving God.

One thing I admire in this article by Grenz & Olsen is that, whilst they defend theology, on numerous occasions throughout their response they recognise that theology has the ‘ability’ to be the enemy of faith. I couldn’t agree more with their response that the antidote to bad theology is not “no” theology but “good” theology. The article discusses there are no simple believers who remain untainted by theology and form this statement Grenz & Olsen make the suggestion that we are all theologians, therefore the question is not “will we be theologians” but “will we be good theologians”. I never really considered myself a theologian before. This certainly got me thinking about my attitude towards them.

Whilst my initial mindset was that this article was in response to ministerial or lay theology, the article progressed to defend formal, professional theology and its value for the development of lay & ministerial theology.

Grenz & Olsen defined Christian theology as reflecting on and articulating the God-Centered life and beliefs that we share as followers of Jesus Christ. The issue that arose in this discussion is “what after all is truly involved with ‘reflecting’ and ‘articulating’ fundamental beliefs about God and the world?” The authors argue that the concept of reflecting and articulating must require preexisting beliefs of which we can articulate and reflect anew. Expanding from this Grenz & Olsen defend some of the attacks that have been made against professional theology. They defended four main objections to theology.

1. The Killjoy Objection- I personally have heard these a million times. “Isn’t God and his word meant to be enjoyed?” “ And doesn’t theology just examine them to death and take all of the life out of a Christians relationship with God?” In this objection Grenz & Olsen explore the misconception that objectivity to truth is at best secondary to certain good feelings. I think they sum it up best when they say

“If the main benefit of Christianity is feeling good, and if anything that detracts from that joy or comfort is automatically suspected of being unspiritual, then how does Christianity differ from a cult or from drugs or psychotherapy?”

While I agree that the reality of God’s truth is always first, I don’t think the complete elimination of feelings is the solution so long as the integrity of the word of God is maintained and not contradicted or comprimised. In this circumstance I support Grenz’s argument that feelings should adjust to reality not the other way around.

2. The Divisive-ness Charge- The general concept behind this is the idea that “Jesus unites; theology divides”. The illustrations given in the article depict the potential for theology to both draw together and separate Christians. As was discussed earlier in this response I apply the same principal that the antidote to theology that divides is not “no theology” but “good theology”. The downside in applying this however is the ability to articulate what is divisive theology. In the illustration of the cult masquerading under a Christian banner the theology was “good theology” but to the passerby this was articulated as divisive. I think it would be unreasonable to expect that no attack would come against any righteous stand for God. If I had no opposition I would probably worry more.

3. Speculation Accusation- Olsen explains the impression that Christians have about theologians with their interpretation that they are out of touch with practical everyday reality, yet on the other hand spend too much time delving into the unknowable. While the comment was made that “we should not want to know too much about the furniture of heaven or the temperature of hell!” I agree with Olsen that when we do take the time and trouble to explore the processes and products of theological reflection we do find our Christian faith strengthened with mental conviction. After our initial class in Brisbane in September i felt convicted about ensuring that what i was preaching was not simply regurgitated information but rather this theological reflection. As a result of this my faith has strengthened and my messages i believe now have more substance.

4. Stalemate Indictment- This objection raises the issue some Christians believe that theology has reached a point where it cannot progress anymore. Again like most of the issues that arose in the article this depends on the articulation of the word ‘progress’. The authors argue the importance that one doesn’t define progress as universal agreement on a new solution to an old problem.

After delving just a little bit deeper into this article I began to understand the paradigm that exists between Christian and theologian a little bit clearer and this once daunting article has encouraged me to not simply rely on my own personal articulation of the word but to carefully consider and reflect upon the words of professional theologians. And whilst I do not in anyway support the actions or reflections of ‘all’ professional theologians, I do now recognise the significant part that these people play in lay and ministerial theology. While I may never know the theology of how many angels can dance upon the head of a pin (Constantinople) my antipathy to theology and complete mindset has definitely been challenged, i hope your has too.

Reference
Grenz, S.J.,Olson, R.L. (1996). Who needs theology? An invitation to the study of God. Downers Grove, IL, Intervarsity Press

Be Blessed!!

Highway Young Adults Launch

Finally after what seemed like years...(slight exaggeration)we launched the new name and logo for what is now known as Highway Young Adults. It was a fantastic night with the Exit 89 lounge followed by a short message on the first two core values "Real" and "Relational" in a series we have titled "Intersections". We are really excited about what is happening in our church with Young Adults and are believing God for big things with Highway. Thanks for everyone who came on Friday, we will see you again next month for part 2. Free on a Tuesday night? Come along to connect! e-mail shanehatton@me.com for more info.

Be Blessed!

If Worship was an NFL Game

Thanks James Mac for this one!

Mount Walsh!!

Me looking really stupid with one really long draw string...I was freezing cold and had next to no sleep so give me a break...

My Adventure...My Reminder

I recently read a quote by an American Philosopher named John Fiske that read... "Is it honest for me to go and sit there on communion day and drink the wine and eat the bread while feeling it all to be mummery?”

The definition of the word mummery is "meaningless ceremony". This quote began to trigger something in my mind that brought a real revelation to my heart. How often do i take communion as just a ritual or tradition? Is it something i do out of a heartfelt relationship or is it just part of the "church runsheet"?

It reminds me of Mark 7 where Jesus is rebuking the phrisees because they are complaining about the disciples not washing their hands in the tradition ceremonial way..and Jesus makes a powerful statement and says "thus you nullify (make void) the word of God by your traditions"..It triggered something in me about communion and why we do what we do...

Last weekend we went mountain climbing at Mount Walsh (just outside Biggenden). It was an awesome time of pain and endurance and pain...and pain...As we were climbing the mountain i noticed these small coloured ribbons attached to the trees along the path..As i later found out these ribbons represented the best and safest path to the summit of the mountain..They were a symbol of those who had gone before us and made a way...

The night passed and we saw a beautiful sunrise and decided to make our way down..Why should i folow the ribbons...that wouldn't be much of an adventure now would it??? 2 and a half HOURS later we vowed never to have another "adventure" as we kissed level ground and i subsequently lost all navigating privilleges...

This got me thinking about communion....Suddenly it all became personal to me...As i shared on Sunday at church i began to understand what Jesus meant when he said "do this in rememberence of me"...

Hebrews says this in chapter 2:14-18 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. [16] For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. [17] For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. [18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. [NIV]

What i see in this passage is that Jesus was made like us in every way...We are talking about the creator of the universe here, the God who spoke and his very word created the heavens and the earth, the same God who holds the world in the palm of his hands, the alpha and omega...became like me...and as i began to meditate on these ribbons i understood...Jesus became like me to make a way for me.....Jesus like those climbers who went before showed me the best way that i can live my life...he showed me that it is possible...

Now as i take communion i remember that he made a way for me when he died upon the cross...i remember that he went before me...i remember he is here with me...and now as i partake in communion i understand and i remember...


God Bless!!!

Great Illustration

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a 
 premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to 
 meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an 
accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver 
 medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you 
 shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.
And remember that time waits for no one. 
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. 
 Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!!!

Greatest Way, Greatest Love

Check this quote....

"The heart must have something to cling to—and never, by its voluntary consent, will the heart so detach itself from all its attachments that there shall not be one remaining object that can draw its attention or solicit its affections. The love of the world cannot be removed by a mere demonstration of the world’s worthlessness. The only way to dispossess the heart of an old affection is by the expulsive power of a new affection. We know of no other way by which to keep the love of the world out of our hearts than to keep in our hearts the love of God." Thomas Chalmers

A good friend told me an illustration that Joyce Meyer used in a message recently about a dog and a muzzle. She told the story of a dog that loved to bite feet. So the owners of the dog bought it a muzzle to stop it. And whilst this stopped the dog biting the dog didnt stop trying. She illustrated how the muzzle represents the "law". Whilst the dog was restrained under something that was imposed upon it, the dogs heart was still for chomping ankles.

We have to understand that we cannot change people by imposing laws or rules on them or by telling them the thing they love is worthless. But the greatest way is to show them a greater love. When reading this quote it made perfect sense why often when a woman is in an abusive relationship she will return to be with the man and no matter how much she is told how worthless he is or how bad he is she will still stay.

I pray that we would be a generation of people that would make the love of Christ so attractive, so personal, intimate and irresistable that it becomes infectious to the people around us. That we would show real love in a world that is plagued by a false perception of it. And that we would see a church filled with people, not living under a law but a heartfelt relationship with our king.

God Bless!!