Ten Propositions on Being a Theologian

Today's 10 Propositions from Kim Fabricius over at Faith and Theology are intriguing because they deal with the person doing the theology rather than theology itself. I think you'll find them interesting. I'll give you a couple of samples and encourage further thought:

1. Actually, there is no such thing as a theologian, anymore than there is such a thing as a Christian. Theologians are not solitary creatures. Theology is the outcome of good conversation, the conversation of friends. Though – the rabies theologorum – you could be forgiven for thinking the opposite! Which is why, in the interest of world peace, it is probably wise that theological conferences are held infrequently. Theologians are like horse manure: all in one place and they stink to high heaven; they are best spread around.

Theology as good conversation -- I like that. I also must beware the warning of spreading it on too thick!!

7. All good theology is always contextual theology. Which is not to say that the context sets the agenda of the theologian, because contexts never come neat, they are not self-interpreting: the theologian must be an exegete not only of the text but also of the context. Rather it is to say that the theologian works at the interface of text and context, and seeks to address specific text to specific context. The letters of Paul – all occasional, none systematic – are the paradigm for the theologian.

Good reminder that the best theology doesn't emerge from the ivory tower, but from the practice of living life fully.

9. Strictly speaking, all believers are theologians, because all believers, willy-nilly, think about God. The only question is whether we think well or poorly. It is not the theologian’s job to think about God for us, it is the theologian’s job to help us think about God better, so that we may believe, pray, live and die better. Dorothy Sayers said that “Christians would rather die than think – and most of them do.” The theologian is out to make Ms Sayers a liar.

This is truly an important word -- that the theologian is called to help us all think about God better, not to think about God for us.

Finally, hear this tenth proposition:

10. Ultimately, of course, theologians do not know what they are talking about. So they should exercise meticulous word-care –and not talk too much. I often think that books of theology should contain occasional blank pages, to signal the reader to pause, in silence and wonder. There will be no theology in the eschaton. Before the divine doxa, we will confess, with St Thomas, “All my work is like straw.” Karl Barth famously said that when he gets to heaven he will seek out Mozart before Calvin. Quite right – and presumably he spoke to Calvin only to compare errors. Me – I’ll be heading for the choir of angels, to find Sandy Koufax, to see how he made the baseball sing.

I guess I should shut up while I can. I would choose perhaps Juan Marichal or Willie Mays, rather than Sandy. But then I'm a Giants fan and not a Dodger fan. But, I do get the point.