1. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Session 2 Defining Theology “ What does it mean to ‘ do ’ theology? ”

2. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Protestant Eastern Orthodox Prophecy Postmodernism Truth Roman Catholic Cessationism Relativism Epistemology Special Revelation ExclusivismExclusivism Denominations Traditions of Theology Protestant Theology Rationalism Modernism Continuationism Pluralism Experience

3. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Question What is theology?

4. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology What is Theology? Write a one or two sentence definition of theology:

5. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology “The study or science of God.” –Millard Erickson Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001), 22 “The study or science of God.” –Millard Erickson Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001), 22 “The Science of God and of the relations between God and the universe.” –A. H. Strong “The Science of God and of the relations between God and the universe.” –A. H. Strong “Rational discussion respecting the deity.” –Augustine “Rational discussion respecting the deity.” –Augustine “ Thinking about God and expressing those thoughts in some way. ” –Charles Ryrie Basic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9 “ Thinking about God and expressing those thoughts in some way. ” –Charles Ryrie Basic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9

6. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology “ The science of God or of religion; the science which treats of the existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the duties we are to practice; divinity; (as more commonly understood) the knowledge derivable from the Scriptures, the systematic exhibition of revealed truth, the science of Christian faith and life. ” —Webster ’ s Dictionary “ The science of God or of religion; the science which treats of the existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the duties we are to practice; divinity; (as more commonly understood) the knowledge derivable from the Scriptures, the systematic exhibition of revealed truth, the science of Christian faith and life. ” —Webster ’ s Dictionary

7. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Question Who is a theologian?

8. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Who is a theologian? Anyone who has asked the ultimate questions of life: Why am I here? What is life? What happens after death? What is the difference between right and wrong? Why is there something instead of nothing?

9. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology The question is not, “ Who is a theologian? ” but “ What kind of theologian am I going to be? ” Are you going to be a good theologian or a bad theologian? This is a more accurate question because, as one writer put it, “ not all theologies are equal. ” –Source unknown The question is not, “ Who is a theologian? ” but “ What kind of theologian am I going to be? ” Are you going to be a good theologian or a bad theologian? This is a more accurate question because, as one writer put it, “ not all theologies are equal. ” –Source unknown

10. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology “ We live in what may be the most anti- intellectual period in the history of Western civilization... We must have passion—indeed hearts on fire for the things of God. But that passion must resist with intensity the anti-intellectual spirit of the world. ” —R. C. Sproul “Burning Hearts Are Not Nourished by Empty Heads,” Christianity Today 26 (Sept. 3, 1982), 100 “ We live in what may be the most anti- intellectual period in the history of Western civilization... We must have passion—indeed hearts on fire for the things of God. But that passion must resist with intensity the anti-intellectual spirit of the world. ” —R. C. Sproul “Burning Hearts Are Not Nourished by Empty Heads,” Christianity Today 26 (Sept. 3, 1982), 100

11. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology There are basically six arenas in which we can do theology: 1.Tabloid Theology 2.Folk Theology 3.Lay Theology 4.Ministerial Theology 5.Professional Theology 6.Academic Theology

12. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology TabloidLayMinisterialProfessionalAcademicFolk

13. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining theology Describe this chart in relation to practicing medicine TabloidLayMinisterialProfessionalAcademicFolk

14. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Now describe this chart in relation to practicing theology TabloidLayMinisterialProfessionalAcademicFolk

15. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Tabloid Theologian: Tabloid Theologian:One who constructs his or her theology based upon naïve hearsay information that has no basis in fact and very little, if any, evidence to be believed. Many times people are Tabloid theologians because of the theology ’ s appearance of originality. As well, it can be “ cutting edge ” in many people ’ s minds.

16. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology What are some examples of Tabloid theology?

17. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Tabloid theology examples

18. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Hitchhiking angel Growing fire hose “ I Saw Heaven ”

19. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Folk Theologian: Folk Theologian:One who uncritically and unreflectively constructs his or her theology according to traditions and religious folklore. The Folk theologian is often very dogmatic and militant about his or her beliefs.

20. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology What are some examples of Folk theology?

21. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Folk theology examples: Views of Heaven (clouds, harps) Ghosts Angels ’ wings Good works salvation All people are good at heart Crosses ward off evil

22. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Folk theology examples: Peter ’ s gate Devil ’ s pitchfork “ God helps those who help themselves ” Evidences of demon possession People who commit suicide automatically go to Hell When you die there will be a screen in heaven which shows to the world all the bad things you have done Name-it-claim-it, health-and-wealth gospel

23. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Why do you think that it is so hard for Folk theologians to learn?

24. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Lay Theologian: Lay Theologian:A layperson who constructs his or her theology and who, unlike the folk and tabloid theologian, is... (1) more reflective upon learned theological concepts (2) likely to formulate a system of beliefs which distinguishes between essential and non- essential doctrine (3) more critical of unfounded traditions (4) willing to use study tools

25. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Ministerial Theologian: Ministerial Theologian:A layperson who constructs his or her theology and who, unlike the lay theologian is... (1) educated in theological methodology (2) able to use study tools and resources at a more effective level (3) able to openly critique personal theology against competing models (4) intent on devoting more time to reflection so that theological integration can take place

26. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Professional Theologian: Professional Theologian:One who constructs his or her theology and makes a living doing so. They usually... (1) are didactically purposed toward lay and pastoral theologians (2) conduct practical original research (3) critically evaluate common theological trends and folk theology.

27. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Professional theologians are often accused of “ quenching the Spirit. ” Why do you think they receive this accusation?

28. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Academic Theologian: Academic Theologian:A professional theologian who constructs his theology with an overly speculative and critical spirit. His dialogue can usually come only with other theologians. It is often called “ Ivory Tower theology. ”

29. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology What are some examples of Academic theology? Why do you think someone would want to be an Academic theologian?

30. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Sensational TabloidLayMinisterialProfessionalAcademicFolk Skeptical Critical Gates permanently locked Gates wide open Naïve

31. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology Acceptable range TabloidLayMinisterialProfessionalAcademicFolk

32. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology “ Theology is for everyone. Indeed, everyone needs to be a theologian. In reality, everyone is a theologian—of one sort or another. And therein lies the problem. There is nothing wrong with being an amateur theologian or a professional theologian, but there is everything wrong with being an ignorant or sloppy theologian. ” —Charles Ryrie Basic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9. “ Theology is for everyone. Indeed, everyone needs to be a theologian. In reality, everyone is a theologian—of one sort or another. And therein lies the problem. There is nothing wrong with being an amateur theologian or a professional theologian, but there is everything wrong with being an ignorant or sloppy theologian. ” —Charles Ryrie Basic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9.

33. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology How do we “ do ” theology every day?

34. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology How do we “ do ” theology every day? In other words, how does our theology influence our daily routine?

35. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology 1.When we think about God. 2.When we share the Gospel. 3.When we interpret the Bible. 4.When we get sick. 5.When we defend the faith. 6.When we plan for the future. 7.When we choose schooling for our children.

36. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology 8.When we vote. 9.When we attempt to deal with sin in our lives. 10.When we decide on who we marry.

37. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Defining Theology What is theology?

38. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. credo ut intelligam “ I believe in order to understand ” This is a Latin phrase first put forth by Augustine, then popularized by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109). Augustine ’ s full statement was “ I don ’ t understand so that I might believe, but I believe so that I might understand. ” This idea gives emphasis to the priority and necessity of belief in the Christian ’ s intellectual pursuits. One cannot truly and fully understand spiritual matters unless he or she first believes them to be true. Defining Theology

39. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. This is a Latin phrase coined by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) meaning “ faith seeking understanding. ” This is one of the earliest definitions of theology. It starts with the assumption that we are believers and, as such, we are seeking to understand our beliefs better. fides quaerens intellectum “ Faith seeking understanding ” Defining Theology

40. Copyright © 2002-2006, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Discussion Groups