If theology is ‘ideas about God’ then in a sense everyone is a theologian. Everyone has a worldview – a set of core beliefs about the way things are and that certainly includes whether there is or is not a god (or gods) and if so what that god or gods are like. It includes our understanding about what the world is like and about what humanity is like. What (and who) am I and how (if at all) does that link up with the world and God? I’m hoping that this blog will be a writing pad for me to share, formulate and reshape some of my own thinking. It’s thinking out loud and if anyone would like to listen in or engage in dialogue, that would be wonderful!
Writing for me is a discipline: its one of those things I am not good at and not motivated to apply myself to. Yet, it is so helpful in clarifying thoughts. It has been said that writing well is thinking well. Part of the reason I don’t want to write is that it forces me to articulate a position without knowing who I’m articulating it to. I’m not sure how it will sound to you – loving, harsh, passionate, unthinking or simply confused? Yet, that matters to me because there is a sense in which I represent someone else: I’m someone’s ambassador, and what you think about Him because of me is of importance and something for which I’ll give an account one day. There is another side of it and it’s this: I’m scared that you will see me or just as bad get the wrong impression. What might people think?! I might write something here and change my mind and you could quote me back to myself! Whatever I am, I am not finished, not sorted, not altogether and this blog will reflect something of the way that people change and hopefully(!) mature over time. I might look back at this post in time (hmm, maybe a less than a week!) and cringe but it’s where I was then. This is where I am now. For all the silly fears, what an opportunity to chronicle one ordinary guy’s adventures with an extraordinary God!
- On the way
In the end this is one of the best reasons I’ve found why we should confess our theology:
Naturally, we do not wish to acknowledge that God has spoken to us, for that would admit our disobedience to what he has said; it would be a confession that we are not the lords and gods we daily pretend to be. An excellent way to sustain the pretence is to remain vague, and refuse to be specific about matters of theology. By maintaining that we can do no more there than speculate in the dark, we build around ourselves the protective assumption that God has not spoken his revealing light to us. There in the shadows, undisturbed by the harsh light of divine revelation, we are free to fashion our gods to our hearts’ content; we can make a religion that is no more than comforting experience, moralism, or whatever we choose. (Link)
Congratulations on the beginning of a blog.. long may it continue!
Blogging is indeed a scary thing, and I’ve not always been as bold as I could be in articulating my position on things.
I’ve not been too reliable a blogger over the last couple of years, but I keep meaning to get back into it! Being forced to articulate myself clearly in writing – and to an unknown audience – has been a hugely helpful and creative process. It’s helped me formulate my thoughts and ideas and sparked all kinds of interesting avenues of thought. I always really enjoy it – but I reckon I’ve gotten lazy!
So blessings on the blog – I look forward to some interesting discussions!
By: cfg on 23 May, 2008
at 5:21 pm
Is there a reason to be undercover? I think you’re right that it’s good to confess our faith, and it’s also good to engage in debate and dialogue that strengthens and solidifies our convictions. All of those things happen best, it seems to me, in a relational environment that recognises that we are engaging as brothers and sisters. I think a name is a pretty important part of encouraging that to happen.
By: ros on 3 June, 2008
at 12:50 pm
Hi Ros,
Thanks for the message! It’s definitely something I’ve been thinking about, particularly in terms of interrogating my motives.
The undercover part for me means that although I am a geography student I’m doing all that I do as an implicitly theological activity. I’m actually a geographical theologian or theological geographer! That becomes explicit quite often in conversation with people as we chat together.
There are a few reasons for the anonymity at the moment. Although someone wrote some very kind words recently about me being articulate, I think that it is more true of my speaking than my writing (I’m going to write a post about dyslexia too which might provide some more context!).
I wanted to be able to write to clarify my thinking and for my friends (who do know my name) and with them to start blog conversations. As I don’t have that much confidence in my writing ability I wanted to be careful that the people who read the blog would always be able to say to me, “is that really what you meant?”. “Not sure that was right, or clear” and such. To be honest I didn’t anticipate that other people would read it, which is certainly an unexpected pleasure and you’re definitely very welcome! I think it might mean that I do need to come out from under the covers to provide more of the context and simply trust that though misunderstandings can and will occur that I don’t need to protect or defend my reputation. That is just my pride and fear at work.
So, thanks for the message, you’ve definitely given me food for thought and you might see a change sometime soon!
By: Undercover Theologian on 3 June, 2008
at 1:31 pm