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a
good theology?
By
John O’Keefe
what
does it take to create a "good
theology?" think about it; a good
theology. not a "livable"
theology, or a "passing" theology - but
a solid, good, core \, deep theology that can hold
to the world we see. because if you think
about it, a poor theology tells us that God is one
way, and the world is another - yet when we see
God's people acting in the world we notice no
difference at all. so, what does it
take to develop a "good theology?"
give
the fact that i asked the question, i am certain
most would know that i believe many churches today have
"bad theology" - some have very bad theologies
- but that's another post. here are the
elements that i believe make a good
theology. i also believe these are central
to the development of a solid postmodern theology -
we need to remember that
"theology" means "words about
God" so if our theology is poor, we are saying
our God is poor - so keep it:
simple:
complexity comes from our individual desire to
please everyone, and in turn pleasing no one; or
it comes out of a desire to control, the more
complex the item the more you need someone to help
you figure it all out. theology has become
so complex, that the average person has a hard
time understanding what the preacher is talking
about. keep it simple, so people can
understand. remember, theology that is
complex is of no use to people, so they in turn
believe that God is of no use to their lives.
relevant and timeless: to be today while knowing
yesterday. no theology is formed in a vacuum
of timelessness. while we do need to bring
the past with us, we must never be driven by the
elements of that past. we remember, we do
not live in the past. without being relevant
we share with those who are seeking to know
answers that God is not relevant.
transparent and honest: no hidden agendas, no
hidden thoughts. if you want to be my friend
to share christ, then you do not want to be my
friend - your friendship should come with no
strings - so it is with our theology.
flexible: not ridged or fixed. things
that are ridged brake. theology that is
ridged brakes. now, flexibility does not
mean "weak" - it means flexible.
it is not selling out what you believe, it is
understanding what others believe.
scriptural: based on a solid reading of the
teachings of christ - a "christology" if
you will. if we base of theology on anything
else we are not christians - simple (remember,
keep it simple)
collective: breed and based in community.
community determine the understanding of
scripture, so they determine the
theology.
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