I have recently read several articles that talk about bringing theology back to the church. A few of them even call for churches to be more intentional about creating environments where people are encouraged to think and express themselves theologically. After all, these writers argue, only so much can be covered during a worship service once a week.

In addition, some of these same authors claim that more and more people are looking for churches that will help them integrate faith into the rest of their lives. They want to carefully think through their faith and better understand how it relates to science, politics, work and relationships. Why? Simply put: it's because all of these subjects matter.

Theology. Some reading this blog know this word and could explain what it means. Others...well, that's a whole different story, right? The word "theology" can be broken into two Greek words: theos, "God" and logos, "speech." Theology is language or discourse about God. It has been classically seen as "faith seeking understanding" but it can also be a "scientific, methodical attempt to understand God's divine revelation." 

For example, if you are a dispensationalist, then you have carefully thought through your own eschatology (belief about the "end times") and could probably even explain the various "dispensations" or periods in history in which God relates to humans differently, especially under different Biblical covenants. Even though dispensationalism is not a Reformed theological position, it is nevertheless a form of theology with its own history, concepts and system of beliefs.

There are other theologies as well. Ascetical Theology. Catechetical Theology. Dialectical Theology. Feminist Theology. Liberation Theology. Mystical Theology. Pastoral Theology. Process Theology. Angelic Theology as well as the Theology of Christians…and this is just scratching the surface. Let's not leave out theonomism, theonomy, theopassianism, theophoroi, theopneustos, and theopoiesis. Seriously, I could go on but it would take several more blogs to cover the other terms.

In his book, In the Name of Jesus, the late author Henri Nouwen writes:

The original meaning of the word "theology" was "union with God in prayer." Today theology has become one academic discipline alongside many others, and often theologians are finding it hard to pray. But for the future of Christian leadership it is of vital importance to reclaim the mystical aspect of theology so that every word spoken, every word of advice given, and every strategy developed can come from a heart that knows God intimately.

Isn't that a beautiful statement?  If you are someone who enjoys thinking about God, then you are a theologian. Theology implies listening carefully to God's voice and discovering God's wisdom and understanding in order to deal with whatever problems that come our way.

Thinking theologically is not something we do passively. We must engage our whole selves into this process, taking heed to Jesus' words to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30).