Knowing God – Theology made relevant in Discipleship today
IDMC 2009 @ Covenant EFC
Session 5 – How theology should be done
Introduction
– the architecture of theology (biblical, systematic, relevant, contemporary, practical, ref. M.Erickson)
– defining the theological task
How theology should be done: Back to basics
A. The necessity of theological vision
– the cultivation of a right and high view of God
– developing a theological framework (3 anchors – God is good; God is in control; God will bring it to pass)
B. The necessity of theological foundation
– the thinkability of God is a grand and profound notion
– divine revelation as the key to theology!
C. The necessity of theological contemplation
– at the heart of theology is thinking more godly about God
– theology leads to doxology!
D. The necessity of theological pedagogy
– theology must be pedagogical
– the narrative as a profound theological pedagogy
E. The necessity of theological holism
– theological holism is integrating truth with life
– four basic building blocks to holistic theological integration (orthodoxy, orthopraxis, orthokardia, orthokoinonia)
F. The necessity of theological humility
– theology as an unfinished task
– theology as a holistic task (ref. G.Cole “Thinking Theologically”)
Conclusion
– the need for theological leadership (Jer 9:23-24; Jn 17:3)
Quotes
The chief task (of theologizing) … takes us to grand discovery of the very heart of God – that we might meaningfully and gratefully worship Him in every arena of life.
Theology leads to doxology; thinking about God leads to knowing and loving Him.
God is good; God is in control; God will bring it to pass.
Knowledge puffs up, but theology that is done well humbles.
