“Christian theology differs from every other branch of knowledge, by being the outcome of divine revelation. Consequently the interpretation of Scripture is the very first work of the theologian. When man constructs a system of philosophy, he must look into his own mind for the data; but when he constructs the Christian system he must look in the Bible for them. Hence the first procedure of the theologian is exegetical. The contents and meaning of inspiration are to be discovered. Christian dogmatics is what he finds, not what he originates.” [emphasis mine]
-William G. T. Shedd, Dogmatic Theology pg. 11; 1888 first printing.
I just thought this was an interesting reminder that all Christians are to be theologians, yet they must be exegetically driven theologians; discovering theology first and foremost from the proper and clear interpretation of the Biblical texts within its context.
Good reminder!
Oh, and happy anniversary!
Phew, long comment here. Please consider it a compliment that you posted something rather thought-provoking. =D
Tammie sent me a link to your blog. Thought provoking, but it brings to mind what I see as a fatal flaw for some fundamentalists, and one of the reasons I do not commonly use the term in reference to myself. I’ll think out loud here; it’s for your consideration. Let me know if/when I’m off base.
“…all Christians are to be theologians, yet they must be exegetically driven theologians…” Yes. But something doesn’t seem right. Can I suggest that most (if not all) Christians are only called to be theologians inasmuch as it pertains to 1) being a disciple of Jesus and 2) discipling others? I dare say there are the souls of theologians in hell right now, but not a single soul of someone who knows God and lives day by day to be more like Jesus. Which, then, is of primary importance?
I guess what I’m saying is being a theologian of sorts is NECESSARY part of being a disciple, but theology is never an end in itself. More concisely, the main thrust of discipleship is not simply KNOWING about Christ – it is BECOMING like Him. Studying the things of God is sometimes reveling in the mysteries, but much more often it is stockpiling ammunition for the daily war we fight against our own sinful nature. I don’t LOVE the knowledge so much as I NEED it.
It’s my completely fallible opinion that theology which does not produce action is both unnecessary and dangerous. To rip off James, ‘Theology without works is dead. … show me your theology without works, and I’ll show you my theology BY my works.’ I value knowledge (I love it, in fact), and I have a significant interest in theology. But I must remember that knowing God is far more important than knowing about God. I would rather be known for loving like God does than for only knowing about how God loves. Both are good, but knowledge is the means – godliness is the end.
It’s not wrong to enjoy the pursuit of knowledge, but behind it (and everything else we do) must be the pursuit of God, lest you come up empty-handed, and perhaps hellbound as well.
The scary thing about my riff on James is that, if it’s true, then do we only truly believe the things that we put into practice? Lord, help my unbelief.
My .02… Hope it sparks your thinking (and of course, your lifestyle). I enjoyed the read.
ben power
Ben,
Thanks for your comments. I think now that you have read my blog, that about doubles my readership 🙂
I have no argument with what you say, as it reflects my own thinking as well. This Sunday, I am preaching on the parable of the wise and foolish builders and it is no accident that Christ said, “whosoever hears and does my words is likened to a wise man . . .”
When I say, “All Christians must be theologians” I am not speaking of the various disciplines and systems formulated for centuries. But rather, every Christians, should study God (theos). Every Christian should make it his life’s ambition to know the glory of God. My anecdotal experience is that the more I know God by studying His revelation, the more I love God.
I had a guy once describe his view of God and it was way of base (hard, arrogant, cruel type of God). The thought kept going through my mind, “That is not the God I know.”
So that is what I mean by theology–not the academic pursuit of knowledge for the sake of knowledge, but rather the pursuit to know who this God is who has revealed himself to me.
Thanks for your words, they were challenging and an encouragement to me to keep the main thing the main thing.
Oh, by the way, regarding our faith affecting our lifestyle; I am convinced that we don’t act because we don’t believe. All the other excuses really are pedantic and futile. If we really believed, we would act in accordance to what we believe. Christ teaches us that in the Gospels.