In my last post, I introduced the word 'theology' and the fact that there are two major ways that it is used. In this post, we will take a look at the first, more general, meaning: theology as the study of religious faith, practice, and experience, especially the study of God and His relation to the world.
The question: What, if anything, can we do with theology?
My answer: As with any sort of studying, the more you study something, the more comfortable and familiar you are with it. By studying the religious beliefs, practices, and experiences of Christianity and other religions, we become more familiar with them.
By being more familiar with our own religion, we are more capable of having a genuine faith. How could you call yourself a Christian, a Jew, or a Muslim without having any clue what you were claiming to believe?
By being more familiar with other religions, we are more capable of relating to one another and sharing ideas and beliefs. This aspect of theology is similar (at least in my mind) to a personality test: if want you take a simplistic, online personality test to kill some time, you'll learn that you are proactive, enjoy the color green, and have all the necessary traits to become a NASCAR driver. Whoo hoo! But, if you want to take a really effective personality test, you'll not only learn everything the simplistic test told you, but you'll also learn how to communicate with people who are passive, enjoy the color blue, and are on track to become neurosurgeons.
To me, that is the difference between studying Christian theology and studying that of many religions: the difference between a teen magazine quiz and a witnessing tool.
If you, as a Christian, have any intention of following Christ's commands to spread his Truth, I suggest you get a grasp on what exactly that truth is and how your listeners will be viewing it.
What do you think? Is a general knowledge of God and what different people believe beneficial or is it a waste of time?
Next post: specific 'theologies', why you should have one, and how I know you already do.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Your Theology
Anyone who has spent any time within a church has probably heard the term 'theology' thrown around. In my experience, the word's usage can be varied and sometimes confusing. For the church fathers, theology was their bread and water; for thoughtful Christians, theology is an ongoing process that evolves as their relationship with God does; and for Christians today who have grown tired of tradition, theology is another old, dirty word that simply draws attention to the fact that Christians are different.
So what is 'theology'?
'Theology' has two basic meanings: The first, most basic is the study of religious faith, practice, and experience, especially the study of God and His relation to the world. The second is dependent on the first and is used to refer to a specific system of theology or a body of theological opinion. (Merriam-Webster)
In the next couple of posts, we will look at theology, these two meanings, and how it all relates to us.
What do you think? Have you heard 'theology' used? In what context? Do you think it affects you or is even worth your time?
So what is 'theology'?
'Theology' has two basic meanings: The first, most basic is the study of religious faith, practice, and experience, especially the study of God and His relation to the world. The second is dependent on the first and is used to refer to a specific system of theology or a body of theological opinion. (Merriam-Webster)
In the next couple of posts, we will look at theology, these two meanings, and how it all relates to us.
What do you think? Have you heard 'theology' used? In what context? Do you think it affects you or is even worth your time?
Monday, January 5, 2009
Refuge
What is refuge?
Often, during times of military and political conflict, you will hear news anchors use the term 'refugees' for people who flee their homeland to seek safety somewhere else.
Perhaps the only other place that I hear the word refuge used much is the Bible, mostly Psalms.
Merriam-Webster defines refuge as "shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection; something to which one has recourse in difficulty".
For Christians, especially those experiencing "difficulty", our refuge is God and his character. Psalm 119:114 says "You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." In fact, we have so much refuge in God that Psalm 59:16 says that "I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble."
So, as Christians, we don't just have a little refuge in God. We have so much that not only will we be able to trust him with our burdens, but we should be able to sing of his strength and love. Imagine the faith it must take to find that much refuge from your troubles, and ask God for that faith now.
Often, during times of military and political conflict, you will hear news anchors use the term 'refugees' for people who flee their homeland to seek safety somewhere else.
Perhaps the only other place that I hear the word refuge used much is the Bible, mostly Psalms.
Merriam-Webster defines refuge as "shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection; something to which one has recourse in difficulty".
For Christians, especially those experiencing "difficulty", our refuge is God and his character. Psalm 119:114 says "You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." In fact, we have so much refuge in God that Psalm 59:16 says that "I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble."
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