Exploring the irony of (and hope in) Christian circles having long abandoned their theologians now claiming everybody is one
Back in the winter months, I was giving a lot of thought to figuring out exactly when someone becomes qualified to identify as some particular thing.
In my case, it was the questions: Am I safe to consider myself a theologian yet? And if not, what would be the necessary, but currently missing, requirement for doing so?
All of this stems from deeper reflection and study on the nature and theology of our personhood, in which I am hypothesizing how part of the self is given over to something to become that thing.
Beyond, “when does someone become something?” I also wonder, “what does being that thing require of the one?”
When does an advice-giver become a mentor? When does a person who plays an instrument become a musician?
I argue neither, will become either, until they assume the identity of that thing, and begin operating as that thing requires. Because there is no value in assuming a title without functioning in it's role.
Look at it this way. Anyone who is a parent realizes giving themselves to parenthood is requisite for truly being one. It goes far beyond merely assuming the title “parent.”
Example: A man impregnated a woman in Guatemala sixteen years ago. He then walked out of her life. Whereupon the birth of that child, he came under the technical term “father,” in no sense did he become the boy’s dad, at least beyond the propagation of biological matter. He chose to not become something. He chose to not give himself to either the identity and/or the operation required by the role of being a father.
I did, however.
In so doing, I had to confront the recognition of what a father is and what the role would demand of me. So, in assuming the identity of father, I gave myself to becoming that thing functionally, for the love of my precious son.
Like a Participation Trophy
On at least five separate occasions, since mid-March, I have heard/read a variant of this notion declared by believers … “We are ALL theologians.”
The first instance was from the pulpit, at the closing celebration service of a state-wide denominational event.
Another instance was connected to a conversation on this very question of mine, between a friend and I at church. We were discussing something related to all this this, when a third person passed by, slowed a bit, giving the impression they may want to join in. My friend, seeing their curiosity, asked, “Is Jon a theologian yet?”
The person, apparently sensing the conversation was not nearly as interesting as anticipated, kept on moving and replied with a smile, “Of course. We’re ALL theologians.” What was so notable to me, was the conviction in the remark.
And there I was, a guy who’d spent (at the time) close to nine years working on his fourth graduate/doctoral level theology degree, wondering if he was yet qualified to identify as a legit theologian.
The most recent occurrence was a meme, attributing this quote to (ironically enough) the theologian James White: “If you are a Christian, you are a theologian. You have no choice. Theology is simply knowing about God.”
And there were a few others. In each of those instances, there was a similar self-assuredness that the statement was true.
All this is making me wonder if maybe I should have foregone all that my process has entailed and just waited for the participation trophy. But without the process what would I even have been participating in?
I’ve heard the "we're all theologians" thing before, a few times here and there, but I’m wondering … is this just a fashionable passing slogan that gained some recent steam, or is this taking root as an axiomatic belief among a certain portion of the Christian community?
If it’s just a trendy cliché, then I’ll patiently wait for it to pass, like WWJD or Reckless Love.
But if believers are actually adopting this as something genuine to their faith identity, then let me just say:
Stop already! We (Christians) are NOT all theologians. It’s not even close.
In fact, if you’re entertaining this idea, I’ll take my chances playing the probability factor (James White aside) and comfortably wager you are not a theologian.
You may, let’s say, come in contact with lots of theology. But does that make one a theologian any more than coming in contact with maps makes one a geographer?
In fact, I would think it a reasonable suggestion (and I am suggesting it) that many of the issues in the American church are anywhere from partly to wholly attributable to the almost complete disregard for theology demonstrated by the church—especially in the last 150-200 years.
Painting with an admittedly broad brush, yet I think accurately, there is something very revealing in the paradox of a church, which over that course of time, grew to reject what they once considered the “queen of the sciences,” now finding enough value in theology to assume the label of “theologian,” and gifting it to everyone.
I suspect two things are simultaneously reflected in this: (1) The continued marginalization of the work of the theologian in and for the church; and (2) an extreme undervaluing of the worth of theological inquiry and engagement for the process of genuine discipleship.
So then, as is typical for our culture, with regards to those with expert or advanced qualifications in a particular area, there is a puffing up involved, which assumes we are ALL advanced, once we’ve notched the experts down to size.
Who Do You Think You Are!
Here, let me do two things.
The first involves asking, on what basis do you (if you embrace the idea) assume all Christians are theologians?
Is it because they go to church? Is it because they practice a Christian way of life? Is it because they give themselves to certain disciplines, like reading the Bible, praying, and talking about God … a bit? Or, because they unquestionably believe in essentials of the Christian Faith and understand a little doctrine and maybe even church history? Does a combination of these things make one a theologian?
If so, that would be like claiming: We all practice dental hygiene! We all go for six-month cleanings! We all give ourselves to certain disciplines, like brushing twice a day, using white strips, and flossing … a bit!
So … WE ARE ALL DENTISTS!
You get the point. Painted by way of such a comparable, the idea seems (or at least should seem) absurd.
The second thing is heading off any assumption I am arguing this from personal grievance. As if I’m driven by the need to pat my own back and justify myself.
Or to put it another way, that I can’t believe anyone would have the gall to call themselves a theologian without lots of degrees on the wall, or shelves full of books on Tertullian, Thomism, or Tillich. (If you have to Google any of that … well … yeah.)
If you suspect I am arguing this because I have degrees on the wall and books on all of those, then also pause to consider how I am also the guy still wondering if I’m actually a theologian.
Why? Because I realize exactly what Karl Barth meant by likening the theological pursuit to climbing an inverse mountain. I have been at this long enough to fully appreciate with every step up, every book read, every program down, every question explored, the mountain doesn’t get shorter and narrower, but taller and wider.
I also realize, right now, many in the “We’re all theologians” camp are like, “Carl who?”
Well, there you go.
Two Nathans
Let me finish the point with my “Tale of the Two Nathans.”
Both are dear friends. Both are incredibly well read. Both are deeply spiritual, and I’d have an impossible time telling you which loved Jesus more and which one’s life more reflected the truth of the Christian pursuit in the lived-out way of a genuine disciple. Both can discuss rich religious or theological concepts at a level far deeper than I. And both exhibit the application of theology in a way that is practically discernible in their thought processes and outlook on things.
One is a Doctor of Theology candidate in my cohort. The other, I am not sure has ever taken a seminary class.
And here’s the best part …
I bet if you heard them speaking at a symposium, or teaching a class, or having a conversation over a theological topic, without knowing which Nathan was which, you’d be hard pressed to determine which was the former and which the latter.
Because they are unquestionably both theologians.
Defining the Terms
So then, what is theology? What is a theologian?
Simply, Theology is the logia of Theos, meaning the study of God. Thus, a theologian is one who studies God. STUDIES God.
A theologian gives themselves to a discipline involved in far more than a periodic, even regular, encounter with things theological.
It entails intentional and focused research into, dialogue around, contemplation over, and analysis of God, and things involving God, e.g., God’s being, nature, will, Word. It also involves the philosophical aspect of questions about the same, as well as the manner and interpretations of how our understanding of things theological have developed over the life of the Church.
And as contextual theologians explore, how all things theological are ecologically related to and interpreted by various people groups, in various contexts, across the world and throughout its history.
Regular Bible intake, devotional reading, church attendance, and prayer, are marks of a faithful and committed believer, but they don’t make you a theologian.
They probably (but not always) are a part of a quality theologian’s life, though. Just like regular dental hygiene practices are a part of your dentist’s.
Credentials, leadership seminars, completing some Bible college, and great Sunday expository, are things you’d expect to see in a gifted and qualified pastor, or on their resume … but none of these produce a theologian. And to your pastor’s credit, many of the greatest theologians may likely have amounted to lousy pastors. In fact, I’d wager as much since I’m in the betting mood.
We are NOT all studying God. We are not all giving much attention to the doctrines we hold to—AKA, why we believe/practice as we do.
I will take this further and contend, that among American Christians, very few are.
Very few are engaged in the theological pursuit.
The American church is at an all-time low point in biblical literacy and doctrinal/apologetic acumen among both lay and vocational believers. That is to say, in terms of the underpinnings for what a theologian uses as foundation, the church (again, broadly speaking I know) is more ignorant about their faith, and the Faith, than ever before.
Conversely, a theologian is in parts a philosopher, a historian, a biblical scholar, a cultural observer, and an ecological contextualist.
Are you those things? If so, you have given yourself to something beyond the assumption of a title and taken on all that requires of the role and truly being what it all points to—a theologian.
Final Thoughts
Given the American church is noted for its historical anti-intellectualism, by both Christian and secular observers alike, the idea we are all pursuing an understanding of God and our Faith in the manner of a theologian is a blatant misassumption.
I wonder what that is rooted in. Denial? Ignorance? Arrogance? Maybe entitlement? Maybe all of those. Or maybe it’s just rooted in the cool, soothing balm of good old American individualism. Be whoever you want to be.
Maybe it’s the consumerist contortion behind “speaking it into existence.” Afterall, if one can grace themself with the mantle of apostle or prophet or whatever … then why not theologian.
But of course, if “we are all theologians” we would have seen the church walking into such a trap ahead of time, right?
Right.
There you have it, James White.
All who know about God are not theologians. Just like all who know how to run the sound board are not audio engineers, or all those singing Elevation hits in the shower aren’t worship leaders.
Nor should they be. Nor need they be.
But, if perchance, you read this and get agitated that I am arguing such, maybe it’s because you are resisting the tug toward actually becoming that thing … giving yourself to what the role requires, beyond simply assuming the title.
If that is the case, then just be like Nathan.
Which Nathan, you ask? It doesn’t even matter.
The church desperately needs genuinely theologically inclined and theologically informed minds and voices. Formally trained or not, means little to me, compared with there simply being an emergence of these types in the Body of Christ.
My parting thought is this: I really hope the idea “we’re all theologians” is a sign that a reformation in the church is ahead. Maybe it signals a renewed interest in the value of theology in the process of developing full-orbed spiritual formation and practical and contextual gospel Christian engagement with the world around us.
Maybe it anticipates a budding appreciation for the place of the theologian in a church, which for far too long has suffered increasing irrelevance in the world around it, that has relegated theology to the rafters.
If so, there is something exciting in that. There is something electric in that. It indicates so much reason for hope ahead.
I have been blessed, in my theological journey, to meet several young believers who clearly have the theological impulse. Some will of course resort that impulse to powering the fortification of their silos and bolstering propositional walls.
But I am excited for those who will crash through and embrace the pursuit that theology is … scouring for every fragment of Truth, beyond the wall, so they can help cobble together a fuller portrait of It for the rest.
No matter, the younger generations are proportionally more theologically inquisitive than mine. This is a wonderful thing. Because a theological uprising is sorely needed if the American church is ever going to welcome Reformation 2.0.
I think it will.
No, I think it IS.
My sense of anticipation is piqued. My hopes are high.
Don't just take the title ... BECOME THE THING!
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