Discussion:Replies: The Theologically Informed Christian
Post replies of 200 words each to the student prompts. Each reply must incorporate 1 scholarly citation(s) in Turabian format.
Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible, etc. Write from an evangelical conservative perspective.
Student 1 : Justin
The thought of being a theologically informed Christian seems fundamental to the commands of Scripture that we ought to honor Christ as Lord and always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Pet. 3:15). Being a theologically informed Christian helps build that central affirmation of giving a reason for the hope that is within us. The theologically informed Christian seems to be lost in our day as much of what is seen in contemporary evangelicalism is a very surface level, emotionally driven faith that lacks any real substance on the deep things of God that propel a robust faith and theology. This isn’t just indicative of the pews, but also of the pulpits as many ministers have become more like entertainers than expositors of the word of God. Vanhoozer mentions this when saying, “Theology is in exile and, as a result, the knowledge of God is in ecclesial eclipse.”[1] The pastor as someone who was once called to be the intellectual of the church, village, and city has been relegated to one who merely preaches behavioral modification. Theology has been divorced from the pulpit and church primarily due to the notion that theology is abstract and cannot serve any function at a practical level. This form of pragmatism is endemic of a secular form of education. Vanhoozer notes this saying, “the perception that the “practical” disciplines are non theological, driven by pragmatism and influenced by secular models in the human sciences, is another prejudice that works against the notion of the pastor-theologian.”[2] The call for not only pastors but all Christians to be theologically informed must begin with the recognition must begin with the desire to know God more intimately through his word and in the confines of a historical orthodox church.
I personally have sought to be a theologically informed Christian since coming to the faith and realized soon that many of my questions about my newfound faith needed careful reflection. It was through studying God’s word and other disciplines that I found answers that led me into a deeper faith and the desire to be theologically informed. I have found the disciplines of theology, philosophy, and church history to be fundamental to understanding the truths of God. I have found many of the theologians of the past have aided me in my pursuit of God, and as Anselm understood “the task of theology is fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking understanding).”[3]
This is especially important when understanding how one derives a Biblical ethic from the pages of Scripture and engages contemporary culture. Understanding the various philosophical presuppositions that an individual holds will help the theologically informed Christian to better engage that individual with a Christian ethic and the gospel. The theologically informed Christian will be enabled to glean from the wisdom of others when formulating an ethic, but also allowing that ethic to be centered in God’s word. As Dr. Fred Smith notes in the presentation on Christian ethics, “Christian ethics is Bible centered ethics, and the Bible must be interpreted honestly and carefully when formulating a Christian ethic.”[4] The ability for a Christian to hold a consistent ethic as the Bible presents it requires the Christian to engage the various disciplines of theology, philosophy, and history in order to properly engage the culture with the wisdom of God’s word.
Student 2 : Jay
In my experience being a theologically informed Christian is crucial to our main priority (sanctification) and our secondary priority (evangelism). However, before discussing the importance in more detail I do want to say I don’t believe theological knowledge is more valuable than personal relationship in regards to our evangelism. In regards to our sanctification it is perhaps a top priority in so much as we know from John 15 that to love Christ is to be obedient to His commands (theological understanding), however I believe a Christian can be deeply devoted to Christ and still have a elementary foundation theologically and still be fully loved by God just as someone with a deep theological understanding would be loved by God. The reason why I say personal relationship is our chief pursuit in evangelism first is because being heard is the most challenging thing an evangelist has to overcome in sharing the gospel with their neighbor. To do this, the evangelist must pursue loving relationship with the non-believer in order to win the right to be heard, and only then can they use their theological wisdom to full effect. Often in ministry I’ve found that this is the most crucial step to seeing someone show a fruitful response in hearing the gospel from an evangelist.
That being said, we must be prepared theologically when this happens. (1 Peter 3:15). In Kevin Vanhoozer’s book “The Pastor as Public Theologian” the author talks about the conviction of writing was to combat this current era of Christianity where our leaders our not theologically trained, and instead are looking for alternative quick ways towards pastoral fame rather than preaching faithfully the doctrines of scripture.[1] Skye Jethani would state that this is the reason that so many pastors of “mega-churches” are becoming bad influences to Christians called to pastoral ministry and are attracted to the “mega-church” model without proper modes of theological training. Jethani says this is a congregational error of judgement as well as we put these seemingly charismatic leaders in positions of power in times far too early for them to be in. Places them in dangerous places without thorough theological training. [2]
My experience has shown that faithful evangelism and faithful following of Christ will always lead you to deep theological questions that need to be answered. And we have valuable training and resources at our disposal to address those questions and strengthen our relationship with Christ in return.
