Lifes circumstances and Theological Interests.

[Ian Gentles]

I was wondering how much life's circumstances mold our theological interests? Does haveing an infirmity makes us look more closely into healing? Does lean times make us look more into revival? Does material difficulties cause us to look more closely at teaching on God's provision? Does a desire for a more open relationship with God lead us to look at Open Theism? Is it a dissatisfaction with church that causes many to look at Post Modernism, and possibly liturgical worship?
I guess i could go on and on giving illustrations. But how mush does life's circumstances motivate your theological search? If this is the case that it does, why does it?

[Bill Evans]

I am inclined to agree with the premise of your post. I want to give it some more thought, but my first impressions are that life circumstances have a way of sensitizing us to a particular theological truth. A heart attack at age 49 caused me to engage in some significant wrestling with the issues of my own mortality. The murder of my sister-in-law at age 46 caused my wife and I to wrestle with some issues of fairness and justice.

[Ian Gentles]

Yes i think this question is a good one. Reading your reply makes me realize that i favour capital punishment for emotional reason, when in junior scouts a kid in our group was murdered with his family. I think we will have a lot to think about in this thread.

[Billie Goodson]

I think it has a lot of bearing. One of my Christmas gifts was a book from my reading list by Dr. J.P. Moreland titled "Love Your God With All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul." I just started last night, so only two chapters so far -- and a little deep, so far slower than I can read a Koontz. He made a point that really rang with me. How we reach people who don't feel a need.

The point Moreland was stating dealt with people who are out of touch with their feelings. One of his points was that men tended to be less in touch with their feelings than women. Thus, an appeal that relied on the gospel primarily as a means of addressing felt needs will be irrelevant. Testimonies that relate changed lives or say to people that if they want to become better parents or overcome depression or loneliness, then Christ is the answer for them are not adequate for the person not necessarily feeling those needs. Their response to an appeal based on these factors may well be, "Fine, if it works for you, but, I don't have that need."

So, for me, I am at a good point in my life. Recently started a new job, new home, closer to family and things are going well. So, what motivates me right now? Not a need for a better feeling. Yet, the desire to satisfy in my mind what Jesus meant when he said in Matthew 22: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

[Ian Gentles]

Thats great Billie, yes circumstances affect us. Not sure men arent in touch with their needs, maybe just dont admit it?

[Jamie Wayne]

Theology, Ian, always happens within a context. Theology always happens at a particular time and in a particular place, and it's this context which leads us to ask certain questions that we may not have asked at a different time or in a different place.

[Billie Goodson]

Theology, Ian, always happens within a context. Theology always happens at a particular time and in a particular place, and it's this context which leads us to ask certain questions that we may not have asked at a different time or in a different place.

Jaime, how are you defining the term theology for this statement?

[Bill Evans]

Dr. J. Kenneth Grider often said "Theology wears overalls." A student more assertive than myself raised the question then if sin was transmitted in the genes. ;-) LOL