What is Theology?

[James Diggs]

Here is a good discussion starter as we try to repopulate the thread from scratch-

What is Theology?

Some related questions might be:

How do we determine what "good" theology is?

Is Theology more about our conclusions or how we arrive at them?

To what degree do people shape their theology verses having theology shape them?

[Todd Erickson]

Theology is conversation about God. Or the study of God.

The type of God you believe in directlly shapes the kind of person you are. If your god is a violent, hateful god, you will probably be a violent, hateful person. Or at least a very fearful, guilty one.

Is there a difference between "good" and "accurate"?

[Shea Zellweger]

Is there a difference between "good" and "accurate"?

I'm of the impression that none of us have "accurate" theology, because there is no single correct interpretation of all things Scriptural. It might be better to speak in terms of "good" and "valid" as "now we only see in part," so it's difficult to say whether something is "accurate" or "right." There are certainly more and less valid interpretations of Scripture, but I think a lot of the major arguments (atonement theory, predestination, etc.) are less about being right and more about subscribing to the view that resonates with us the most.

[David Gerber]

[QUOTE=James Diggs;214]What is Theology?
The study of God


How do we determine what "good" theology is?
If it is my theology, it's good. If it is your theology and it agrees with mine, it's good. If it is your theology and it does not agree with mine, you are apostate, heretic, or worse.


Is Theology more about our conclusions or how we arrive at them?
Sometimes it appears that it is about validating our assumptions. In my case I think I am a bit of both with a tilt towards conclusions, but those conclusions are always discussed in the way I arrived at them. (Like that isn't murky!)


To what degree do people shape their theology verses having theology shape them?
Luther, Calvin, and Wesley all seem to have shaped their theologies based on their life and experiences. Calvin was a lawyer and it seems to show up in his work. Luther did not like kneeling in rice for hours on end and that shows up in his theology. Wesley was shaped by his experiences as well.

However, anyone that gives God access to their lives, regardless of their theology, is bound to be shaped by it, also. At least that is the case with me.

[Ryan Scott]

For me Theology is my attempt to understand the world in which I live and to determine the best course of action therein. I suppose that's an easy enough definition for me because I'm convinced God exists and that the Bible is a reliable witness to God's interactions with creation over time.

[Benjamin Burch]

Seeing as how David and I are the hosts of this forum, it is only appropriate that WE give the answers to these questions and OUR answers are the correct ones. After all, it's our forum.




What is Theology?


What Ben believes about God (aka: What is true about G0d).

Okay, now I'm done joking!




How do we determine what "good" theology is?


Does it lead to the formation of individuals and communities that are shaped by the cross and the Spirit of the living Christ?

[Duane Maynard]

Is there a difference between Theology and theology?

[James Diggs]

Is there a difference between Theology and theology?

I don't know of any Duane, do you think so?

[David Pettigrew]

Theology is the head attempting to catch up with the heart.

[David Gerber]

Is there a difference between Theology and theology?
How many differences are there? I can only find one. You used a capital 'T' in the first one. Do I win a prize?

[James Diggs]

Theology is the head attempting to catch up with the heart.

David I found myself the other day commenting on how Christ is shinning through someone by saying that I believe that the Theology that their life communicates is a far better theology than the one they verbally articulate. I pray that can be true for all of us.

[Wilson Deaton]

What is Theology?

A somewhat playful, somewhat serious definition I'm toying with: Theology is worshiping God with our minds.

Wilson

[Randy Wise]

Theology

Mark 9:10 (New International Version)

10They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant.



What if we overheard their discussion?

He did say rise from the dead? Thats what I heard. What does He mean? No clue. You ask Him. I'm not asking Him, you ask Him. Lets get Mikey to ask Him:smilies1722: Yah Mikey will ask anything.

[David van Beveren]

Theology is putting God's love in words.

[Susan Unger]

Theology

Mark 9:10 (New International Version)

10They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant.



What if we overheard their discussion?

He did say rise from the dead? Thats what I heard. What does He mean? No clue. You ask Him. I'm not asking Him, you ask Him. Lets get Mikey to ask Him:smilies1722: Yah Mikey will ask anything.

I need to stop eating my cereal whilst reading NN. Almost lost my cereal over this one, Randy :)

[Wilson Deaton]

I'm not asking Him, you ask Him. Lets get Mikey to ask Him Yah Mikey will ask anything.


I need to stop eating my cereal whilst reading NN. Almost lost my cereal over this one, Randy

I hope you weren't eating the cereal featured in those Mikey ads. I'd hate to think that NazNet almost caused you to lose your LIFE!

Wilson

[David Graham]

Theology, I believe, in practical terms is humanity's quest to understand who we are, where we came from and where we are going.
Thus it is as much an exercise in understanding ourselves as it is in our trying to understand the "infinite divine". In that respect, I suspect that a study of theology must connect both our hearts and minds, and should commence in the revelation of God as seen in the person of Jesus Christ on the cross. Such an approach should keep us from too much unnecessary "theorising" on one hand and from a sense of spiritual "superiority" on the other. The Crucified God in Christ embodies a passion and purpose that enables us to perceive a "probable" vision of the divine, while at the same time presenting to us a vision of what we might "possibly" become.

In addition, theology is an encounter with the divine by faith, so that in our journey of discovery we come to know personally the God we seek; the God who saves us; the God who daily fellowships with us.

Its not easy to put into a few words but theology is all of those things and more.:smilies1404:

Blessings,
Dave.

[Susan Unger]

I hope you weren't eating the cereal featured in those Mikey ads. I'd hate to think that NazNet almost caused you to lose your LIFE!

Wilson

Oh, Wilson, Wilson, Wilson..... I was eating my cereal again! while reading NN. But thankfully, managed to control myself :) And in each instance, I was eating Kashi Cinnamon Harvest.

[George Wallace]

Oh, Wilson, Wilson, Wilson..... I was eating my cereal again! while reading NN. But thankfully, managed to control myself :) And in each instance, I was eating Kashi Cinnamon Harvest.

Be careful! That's a lot of fiber! :tongue:

[Paul DeBaufer]

Here is a good discussion starter as we try to repopulate the thread from scratch-

What is Theology?

Some related questions might be:

How do we determine what "good" theology is?

Is Theology more about our conclusions or how we arrive at them?

To what degree do people shape their theology verses having theology shape them?

I think theology for theologians is more about how we arrive at conclusions. While I think that for the vast majority theology is about the conclusions and what they say about God.

Unfortunately I feel that there are far too many who go too far toward shaping their theology to fit them and their psychology. Theology should shape who we are not so much the other way around. But I think that who we are shapes our theology AND we are shaped by our theologies. I know that as a former atheistic scientist I had some reconciliation between what I KNOW to be through science and what the seeming Christian party line would have me think about those things. I am thankful for open, relational, and narrative theologies for in them that conflict finds a degree of resolution. And I am shaped by these theologies as well. But I try to develop my personal theology through reading the Bible, with the help of the Holy Spirit I hold with what resonates, then check t out with others.

[Dale Cozby]

For me Theology is my attempt to understand the world in which I live and to determine the best course of action therein. I think your theology sounds more like applied anthropology.

To me theology(the study of God) is more of an academic exercise of examining the divine relationship to His creation, from the perspective of the creation. To understand the Creator's will and intention towards His creation.

[Ryan Scott]

I think your theology sounds more like applied anthropology.

To me theology(the study of God) is more of an academic exercise of examining the divine relationship to His creation, from the perspective of the creation. To understand the Creator's will and intention towards His creation.

I'm not sure I'd consider your definition any different than mine. At least from my perspective they're the same thing (although I suppose we'd have to add an element of practical application at the end of yours).

[Todd Erickson]

Theology sitting around coffee and snacks talking about how glorious God is for hours.