A True Theologian

A true theologian is someone who knows he or she does not know.  There are such Jewish, Christian and Muslim theologians.  The word theology means “words about God.”  And, we who are theologians know we do not know what we are talking about.  It’s part of the dilemma of being a theologian that you are compelled to talk about an inexplicable, indescribable, elusive, mysterious being.  For thousands of years the three monotheisms have claimed this being has revealed itself through them.  And yet, to this day we remain frighteningly unsure whether there is anything there.  Is there even a there, there?

So, why do we keep talking?  What is the point of doing theology? 

Theology, when it is done well, is an honest articulation of the faith of the community.  Theologians are not arrogant or boastful.  A true theologian talks about what we trust, why we trust it, and how ought we live in view of what we trust.  Theology is always tentative and searching for the right words.  A deep part of theology is hope.   This hope is based on the promises made in scripture.  It is a “hope against hope.”  Again, it is not an ignorant or fearful hope, but a hope rooted in promises we continue to trust despite what happens in human history.

This “despite” is not an excuse.  It is a fanatical declaration of trust which refuses to concede to the meaninglessness and emptiness of life.  This trust is built on the belief that “something.” Is going on and we, as people who care about truth must bear witness in our lives to this something, vague, obscure and puzzling as it may be.  

Theology can be a good thing when it doesn’t talk about what it does not know.  In fact, some talk about God can be quite helpful in moving us to live a life of character where we care for the hurting neighbor.  Remember, the goal of religion is not to be religious.  The goal of every religion is to transform us into human beings. 

So, whoever you are out there, keep up the good fight and trust you are not alone. There may yet be a force at the heart of the universe that is for us and not against us.