Comments on: Theology & Fear

By: J. R. Daniel Kirk

J. R. Daniel Kirk — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:07:54 +0000

Andrew, fair points. As someone somewhere has said at some point in these threads, it’s not about throwing out theology but figuring out a way to do theology in the right way.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:36:55 +0000

Two things. One: Theology is a very broad term, and to just write it off as being good for nothing without taking the time to explain what it is you seem so worried about is not the wisest thing i’ve ever heard of.

Two: You say theology has no use for humility or Christ-like living. Seriously? If theology only makes you a jerk, then I would argue that you need better theology. If the study of God and of the Christian faith doesn’t lead to doxology, then it’s either bad theology or the student needs a change of heart and mind.

Lastly, if we throw out theology what do we replace it with? Is not reading the word of God and applying it to our lives theology in action?

By: J. R. Daniel Kirk

J. R. Daniel Kirk — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:51:12 +0000

Challenging thoughts. Thanks for this.

By: J. R. Daniel Kirk

J. R. Daniel Kirk — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:50:44 +0000

Maybe… Although part of the point of the post, at least in my mind, was that the ways we all think theologically can be driven to a certain extent by fear. But your point is well taken.

By: Luke

Luke — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:38:55 +0000

Shouldn’t it more accurate say “doctrine and fear”? Theology is such a broad term and is not just used about systematic theology anymore. I know NT & OT guys have been focused on biblical theology for the last several years. Also, the “theological interpretation” of Scripture has been on the rise, with followers like Michael Gorman and Stephen Fowl (whom I imagine you wouldn’t be very critical of).

From your posts so far you seem to be communicating the dangers of doctrine, which I guess technically is just a narrow form of theology. I just hate to see the good get criticized with the bad.

By: Dm

Dm — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:09:56 +0000

I too have experienced myself how theology language can separate and distance us from larger culture. Language – I think – should be largely inclusive; but that is not to say we plateau in our vocabulary. This is a tension that I struggle with daily.

We might be better off by remaining closely integral with culture and church; in this way, we can be either negative and critical or positive and energetic without coming off as a jerk because we are on ground-level interacting with culture, not coming around now and then and standing on our soapboxes.

The prophet Jeremiah knew well the evils theological claims/badges could perpetuate. Check out Yahweh’s critique (via Jeremiah) of Judah’s false prophecy:

“In the prophets of Samaria
I saw a disgusting thing:
they prophesied by Baal
and led my people Israel astray.
But in the prophets of Jerusalem
I have seen a more shocking thing:
they commit adultery and walk in lies;
they strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one turns from wickedness;
all of them have become like Sodom to me,
and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets:
‘I am going to make them eat wormwood,
and give them poisoned water to drink;
for from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” (Jeremiah 23:13-15)

Samaria, which represents the Northern Kingdom of Israel, is the lesser of two evils, even though they worship false gods. Judah is the greater evil, where Yahweh has witnessed a “more shocking thing” than Samaria, even though Judah claims to worship Yahweh. Therefore, what does this message say about church and theology today? Can the contemporary person really be closer to God than, say, somebody who studies theology at a Christian university? Judah, according to Yahweh, is going to get what they have been giving the people; deception; water that isn’t living water, but water that will bring death.

Theological language faces the same hard question. Maybe cultural language and discourse is closer to God than that of theological discourse.