Where does theology speak?
Or, more specifically, where is it most difficult for theology to speak? This post is mostly going to be a series of questions attempting to refine each other, but since complete inactivity has descended upon this blog, I hope to try and promote some dialogue between students and alums.
Practical atheism is almost axiomatic today, for pastors and theologians as much as for anyone else. What I am interested in looking at is places where this is more apparent than others. What are the aspects of life that people find easier to submit to Scripture or Theology or revelation (i am not so much interested in terminology here)? What are the difficult places? What are the situations where we choose to ignore or dismiss the teachings of the Church? One example, I feel, is the works of mercy wherein it almost laudatory for someone to describe how they fail to feed the hunger, clothe the naked, etc.. Thus, instead of actually participating in the works of mercy, people feel self-satisfaction for their own humility. This is only one example, but I want to brainstorm some other ways in which the teachings of the Church fall on deaf ears to the life of those in the Church.
I am assuming only people with Bloglines or Google Reader will get this post, but if you can, please spread it to people you know so that we can get a variety or thoughts.
posted by Unknown at 12:53 PM
7 Comments:
I was surprised when this popped up on Google Reader. Way to bring it back Wilson.
My answer: our families. Especially our parents and siblings.
I think it's difficult for theology to speak in the economy, at least as it's portrayed by the American media. I'm frequently annoyed at the way newscasters pronounce death-knell blurbs about "the economy" as if it's a gigantic, mysterious monolith. The average newscaster, much less the average American, knows far too little about economics (and hence personal finances) to even begin to allow theology to critique it.
As per Wes's comment, Terry Eagleton has a great aside about how unintelligible it would for a people in a meeting at the world bank to look to the Virgin Mary or the platonic forms for guidance.
Now, the completely agree that the economy is one thing that theology can't speak to, but i think it is for the opposite reason that Wes has. It is not that people are too ignorant, but that they know too much. They realize that they must protect the economy from theology or else it would look very different. To jump on my recent hobby horse, usury would look very different if it was informed by theology (if it would exist at all). But everyone has to take credit, credit is what the world needs to function, it would just be impractical to listen to the bible there:)
Oh, and to Tom, don't forget your spouse. Jesus doesn't have many kind words for spouses, too. In fact, I would say that that relationship is more dangerous because there is a greater chance of idolatry taking hold between lovers than between siblings, plus the different modern demands on reproduction and women's health.
I'm not advocating a position here, just saying that that issue should not be forgotten
Surprisingly (or not), I am finding it hard to speak theology (at least how to do it) pastorally in the church, especially in situations where I hear comments like, "I like this church because I'm not judged." or what to do when a drunk (and probably high) homeless person comes in and disrupts (intentional choice of word) the worship service.
However, admittedly, the hardest thing to do is speak it. When I have taken the risky chances, to actually quote the Bible, I find that people really do want to hear what the Bible says.
Yes Wilson, I think the "experts" do know so much that they view theological knowledge as mere supersticion. But as for the average Joe, I think ignorance of theology (and economics) is still the problem.
Good for you Thomas for taking those risky chances!
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