Theological Education Research Paper

African Americans have not always had access to a theological education. As a result, there is a scarcity in the number of theologically trained clergy. My vocational commitment has been, since God first called me to seminary, to finish my education with the goal of giving back to my theological and church community. I understand that the blessings of my education are because of the sacrifices of those who paved the way for me; therefore, it is necessary that I give back. As a theological educator, I plan to invest in the lives of clergy and laity, who do not, for whatever reason, have the ability to attend a theological institution. I feel called to invest in the lives of the community in which I come from first.
Jesus told his disciples, …show more content…
While many colleagues were extremely astute in discussing profound theological concepts, there seem to be an inability to make those theological concepts practical. . Dr. William Pannell is correct when he argues that people of color have a tendency to view theology differently than their Caucasian counterparts. Those of color view theology from the bottom up, while Caucasians often view theology from the top down. As a theological educator, I desire to discuss those high and lofty theological concepts in the classroom, while at the same time take that theology and make it practical to those in the pew, or in the community. In essence, it is my intention not to dichotomize theory and practice. A theological educator needs to be a Practical theologian as well as a systematic and historical one. It is of utmost importance to dialogue about the nature of the triune God but that theology must have feet and demonstrates how that transcendent, triune God, by his very nature, invades time and space and intervenes in the life of man. One way to accomplish this commitment is to demonstrate through training how to make theology …show more content…
The church needs professional theologians that can serve as a resource for the local church. Some theologians give their life to studying biblical archaeology, textual criticism, text linguistics, discourse analysis, and patristic theology etc. There is a tremendous need for those in the various fields. There is also a need for theologians that can synthesize that information and make it palatable for those outside the academy. The writing I plan to do, although it will be utilized in the academy, it will be geared toward the local church. Theology cannot and should not be marginalized to the classroom but moved to the arena of public discourse. I want to contribute and be instrumental in that shift in order that theology is not perceived as irrelevant. I want to publish works that force theology into the arenas of justice, economics, reproductive rights, the law , and issues