What Does it Mean to Think Theologically?

Bible scholarship isn't just for university professors.

It's easy to think of theology as something that only a Bible scholar can undertake, but according to Howard W. Stone --- author of "How to Think Theologically" --- anyone who considers the role of God in his life is thinking theologically. Whether you're reflecting on how to live your life, considering your relationships with other people, or simply appreciating natural beauty, in Stone's words, "to be Christian at all is to be a theologian. There are no exceptions."

Find Purpose in Everything

Part of thinking theologically involves understanding that everything eventually comes back to God's purpose. The best way to illustrate this is to consider the "logic" part of "theologically" by examining a syllogism. If God is responsible for the weather, and sometimes the weather involves rainy days, it logically follows that God is responsible for rainy days. Thinking theologically means going beyond simply blaming God for bad days or praising God for good ones --- it means acknowledging that everything that happens has a purpose, and trying to figure out what that purpose might be.

Seek Specific Bible Verses

One of the first steps you should consider when examining a question by thinking theologically is to look for appropriate Bible verses. These may be ones that are particularly meaningful or inspiring to you, or they might be ones that you've chosen by searching through a Bible concordance --- an organized list of the topics covered in the Bible, with information about their location and context. Study the verse carefully, and think critically about what it means. Be skeptical; one of the most important parts of thinking theologically is being willing to question, like a trained theologian would.

Understand the Context

Although looking at individual verses is helpful, it's only part of the picture. Start with a verse, but think about that old saying about "missing the forest for the trees." You don't want to create a "greatest hits"-style litany of Bible verses. Consider the larger picture --- what is God trying to teach you through the gospel? What is the context of the verse itself --- who is involved? What is being discussed? If you're studying a parable, consider who the intended audience was. The Bible is frequently complex; answers don't always come easily.

Applied Theological Thinking

You can apply theological thinking in two ways. The first is by considering your own life and the choices you make. A reasoned, theological approach can provide insight in career counseling, making plans for your future, and understanding your relationships. But the decision to think theologically is also recursive. Behave like a Bible scholar every time you encounter it --- question and explore each bit of the Bible until you can draw your own, theologically reasoned perspectives. Of course, if you still have questions, ask your family, your friends or your priest; valuable insight can come from those around you.

References

• "How to Think Theologically, 2nd Edition"; Howard W. Stone and James O. Duke; 2006