As an Intercultural Studies Major, I have discovered that engaging in deliberative theology is the foundation of Christian living. It affects both the way I relate God and to other people. Examining creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration are absolutely necessary for developing a sound Christian worldview. Moreover, theology seamlessly blends intellectual thought with practical application:
While good theology does include academic debate, it never stops there. Good theologians discuss intellectual questions and concern themselves with academic debate because their chief concern is life. They want to know the truth not merely so that they might think properly, but so that they might live properly. They engage in theology not merely to amass knowledge, but also to gain wisdom. Good theology, therefore, brings the theoretical, academic, intellectual aspect of Christian faith into Christian living. In so doing, theology becomes immensely …show more content…
It is impossible to engage a theological question without bias. Everyone views the world through a set cultural lenses that are reflective of their unique life experiences. These cultural lenses are a key component in embedded theology and if embedded theology is left untested, it can be detrimental to our view of God, ourselves, and others. Embedded theology has a profound effect on almost every interaction. In How to Think Theologically, the authors make an important observation regarding the role of embedded theology:
Ask any of us: What is your concept of God, your understanding of sin or salvation, your account of the nature and purpose of the church, or your Christian view of right and wrong? Caught short by the question, we may come up with a pat answer. This is understandable. Or we may hesitate and stammer, unless we have stopped at some earlier point to consider the matter. And yet our day-to-day decisions are based upon this embedded theology
While good theology does include academic debate, it never stops there. Good theologians discuss intellectual questions and concern themselves with academic debate because their chief concern is life. They want to know the truth not merely so that they might think properly, but so that they might live properly. They engage in theology not merely to amass knowledge, but also to gain wisdom. Good theology, therefore, brings the theoretical, academic, intellectual aspect of Christian faith into Christian living. In so doing, theology becomes immensely …show more content…
It is impossible to engage a theological question without bias. Everyone views the world through a set cultural lenses that are reflective of their unique life experiences. These cultural lenses are a key component in embedded theology and if embedded theology is left untested, it can be detrimental to our view of God, ourselves, and others. Embedded theology has a profound effect on almost every interaction. In How to Think Theologically, the authors make an important observation regarding the role of embedded theology:
Ask any of us: What is your concept of God, your understanding of sin or salvation, your account of the nature and purpose of the church, or your Christian view of right and wrong? Caught short by the question, we may come up with a pat answer. This is understandable. Or we may hesitate and stammer, unless we have stopped at some earlier point to consider the matter. And yet our day-to-day decisions are based upon this embedded theology