Alistair Begg made a passing comment on people who say they are not theologians. At that point my ears turned off and my thinking cap clicked on. You my not be a good theologian or a professional theologian or philosopher but everyone has a theology and a philosophy. You live it. It provides the framework for everything else about you. When you interact with people you are expressing and demonstrating it even if you can’t articulate it in big words.
We need to develop those skills. We cannot hide behind the truth that we were not born theologians. We were not born cooks either but most of us have had to feed ourselves at some point in our lives. I have learned to prepare the basics I need when it is left up to me. I can fix breakfast. At one end I can pour boiling water in instant oatmeal. At the other end, for me, I can make bacon and eggs. I have learned to make chili and adapted the recipe. I am learning.
We are not born fathers and mothers. We might have a collection of observations but until the firstborn arrives, we have not lived it. You don’t learn to change a diaper just by watching. Sooner or later you need to plunge in and learn by experience. Kids at school can’t comprehend how much fun it can be changing a diaper on your own brilliant, perfect child. You can’t just ignore the kid and go on with life. Even when my kids are adults the process continues. I am learning.
It is this way in all of life. When I was talking with a doctor recently I made the observation, “I have never gotten old before. I am learning this as I go.” It may be that way with theology. Make sure that you learn. It makes a difference in how you live.
homo unius libri
One of the great things in life is that we keep learning and growing. Keep posting and linking.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.