What is Theology?

Theologies is derived from two words. Theos which can be translated as God, and logos which can be translated as word. So theology is a word about God.

The Study of God

I particularly don’t like the definition of theology as the study of God. God cannot be an object of study. God is infinite, and you cannot study the infinite. You can only study the finite. And that is not God.

The Science of God

I also don’t like the definition of theology as the science of God. This also is inaccurate. God is not some object that can be experimented on and verified through empirical means. It misunderstands both science and theology.

The Discussion about God

The best definition of theology is the discussion about God and our relationship with God. That is how I would define theology. This recognizes the humility in trying to understand the infinite, which is simply impossible. The best we could do is look through a glass dimly.

Consensus

But I also like the fact that discussion means that it’s more than one person’s opinion. As a progressive Christian, I believe Tradition, Reason, and Personal Experience are also sources of authority for the church to have a discussion about what it believes.

I believe the authority of the church is the consensus that it’s derived through a process of discussion. Theology is the discussion about God and our relationship with God. The result is the doctrines and teachings of the church for a particular time and place.

Progressing in Knowledge

Because we don’t know everything, our doctrines and teachings have to change according to increasing knowledge. We need to progress in knowledge as we better understand the world we live in and the cultural influences that shape and mold our beliefs.

Progressive Christianity is about progressing in knowledge. It doesn’t believe that we have the truth set in stone in infallible and inerrant words. Rather, we believe that we’re in the pursuit of God and are teachable and open to growing in our knowledge of God.

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Jay N. Forrest

I am a Christian Teacher focused on the Pursuit of God through Prayer, Contemplation, Silence, Solitude, and Simplicity. I became a Christian in 1983, attended Bible school, and eventually earned my Doctorate in Ministry. I served as a Protestant minister for 27 years and also spent about a decade practicing Buddhism. In 2005, I was baptized into the Catholic Church, but have since joined the Episcopal Church. I live in the desert southwest of the United States.

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