Ask a theology student...

[Atlas14]

It seems a useful scientific explaination as to how various species came into being. Of course, I haven't lived long enough to see it in action in any dramatic way...

So I affirm the plausilibilty of the theory, while, at the same time, recognising that its not an air-tight case.

Fair enough. I like your open-minded approach at least .

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

My question is, what is the point of studying theology? It's a serious question. I mean, it is certainly good to have a good concept of the underpinnings of one's faith, and to learn about other religions (I have taken a few comparative religion classes, and talked to members of other religions; a very good thing), but at the end of the day, what will it have given you?

(Lest you get the wrong idea, as my title and sig indicate, I am a member of a very organized religion - we have theology out the wazoo - and I do study it. Also, I studied history in college just because I like history, I still don't know what I am supposed to do with it.)

 

[Margim]

My question is, what is the point of studying theology? It's a serious question. I mean, it is certainly good to have a good concept of the underpinnings of one's faith, and to learn about other religions (I have taken a few comparative religion classes, and talked to members of other religions; a very good thing), but at the end of the day, what will it have given you?

(Lest you get the wrong idea, as my title and sig indicate, I am a member of a very organized religion - we have theology out the wazoo - and I do study it. Also, I studied history in college just because I like history, I still don't know what I am supposed to do with it.)

If nothing else, it will have given me ownership and a sense of responsibility in representing my faith... its not 'faith for faith's sake', but a real, living, genuine and honest engagement with what and why I believe, and hopefully an oppurtunity to help others work through similar issues.

In a wider, more practical sense, it encourages and leads on to the action associated with that faith... not just believing and encouraging others to believe, but engaging with the question: what does my faith mean for my life in this world?

Theologians have been at the centre of some of the most significant events in history... and at some of the worst. It is crucial people continue to evaluate the theologies which those of faith act under, so we get things like the civil rights movement... good theology... and not the Ku Klux Klan

 

[Cu Chulainn]

How do you reconcile the concept of a just god with the concept of eternal punishment?

Why does god care about our faith?

What is the most compelling reason for faith?

Why Christianity?

 

[Margim]

How do you reconcile the concept of a just god with the concept of eternal punishment?

Why does god care about our faith?

What is the most compelling reason for faith?

Why Christianity?

1) I'm not sure that you can. I'd question where we get our ideas of eternal punishment from anyway. What we call the 'Christian' view of hell is really a collection of various thoughts and sayings in the bible, and they do not all fit together... sometimes they are poetic images, used in parables, which people try and apply a literal meaning to. A few thoughts
a) The earliest Hebrew Texts don't seem to have an afterlife. On death, one literally goes to 'dust'.
b) Many of Jesus' teachings on 'hell' or punishment beyond this life were associated with justice... ie, Luke 16:19-, where the punished individual was given a tough break in the afterlife because he ignored a struggling man in this one. The point is not a literal representation of hell, but an encouragement to look out for the poor.
c) Rev 20:14 'Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire', seems to imply a bad end for the bad ends!!

I think the better point to begin with is God as a loving figure, in the person of Jesus... and recognise that 'punishment' is by no means a definitively clear-cut concept.

2) God cares about relationship, of which faith is a part. The Christian God, at least, is a relational being. Thus for Jesus, the two greatest commandments he could summarise from his Jewish tradition were to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your soul, and your mind, and to love your neighbour as you love yourself'... (the exact quote varies from gospel to gospel).

3) For me, the oppurtunity to connect with the infinite... which reason and logic cannot do.

4) Why Christianity I think is the wrong question. 'Why Jesus' is a better one...

What the gospels record of Jesus is worthy picture for consideration. If there is a God worth following, the God revealed in Jesus seems to my mind to be pretty close to it... a God of hope, oppurtunity, justice, challenge and surprise. A God who gives room for dialogue, challenge, questioning, and discussion.

That message has sometimes been lost in the history of Christianity... but one can hardly go wrong in following the teachings of Jesus, rather than making Jesus follow the teaching of their tradition!

 

[Shadylookin]

why would you go to school for so many years just to become an underpaid minister?

Where do you think atheists go when they die?

 

[Adamb0mb]

I don't think any religion gets it right. Jesus' teachings do a pretty good job of it, though... I'd recommend him (obviously - else I wouldn't be a Christian!)

Particularly, I'd look to his teachings as an engagement in this world. Striving to know God, and engaging in a concern for other people around you are central components of the Christian faith... and, I think, to be commended in those of other walks too!

Do you think monotheists "get it right" more than polytheistic religions?

 

[Margim]

why would you go to school for so many years just to become an underpaid minister?

Where do you think atheists go when they die?

Because money isn't a priority for me. I guess I just have an interest in things that aren't necessarily governed by capitalism The idea of ministry - communicating, helping people work through issues, teaching, influencing, is something I feel I could contribute positively to the world through.

I don't really know where anyone goes when they die. I leave that up to God, whom I believe is fair, just, and far more gracious that 'fire and brimstone' preachers give (him?) credit for.

Do you think monotheists "get it right" more than polytheistic religions?

As far as religious structure, I'm not sure any formalised religion does it right at all... as far as belief in God, yes, I believe in the monotheistic deity revealed by Jesus as the best revelation of God to humanity... that's what makes me a 'Christian'.

 

[Arminius]

How much does the knowledge that even our best manuscripts of the New Testament are error-ridden copies with things edited in and out of them and then (usually) poorly translated into the Bible you read and/or study effect your ability to believe in the doctrine of sola scriptura? I would assume that the doctrine was at least part of the basis of your faith considering you are Protestant. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Homie]

What is your idea of hell? I mean, do you think all who do not believe in Jesus will go to hell, or just "bad" people? Do you believe hell is an actual place, or simply seperation from God?
I ask because you seem like a typical Norwegian theology student, strongly on the liberal side

Edit: I say, most people will burn.

 

[Homie]

How much does the knowledge that even our best manuscripts of the New Testament are error-ridden copies with things edited in and out of them and then (usually) poorly translated into the Bible you read and/or study effect your ability to believe in the doctrine of sola scriptura?

Errr.....Wrong! Leave your assumptions at the door. "Error-ridden copies"! Hardly, the opposite is true.

 

[The Last Conformist]

What is your attitude towards polytheist faiths ( none left on the earth now , unfortunately ) ?

Most of the "traditional" religions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia are usually described as polytheistic. You disagree because ... ?

 

[El_Machinae]

Were you a Christian since childhood?

What type of feedback do you feel or experience when you pray?

Do you believe in modern day (and obvious) miracles?

 

[The Last Conformist]

How many angels can dance on a spork?


This may have already been asked, but do you look at the text in the original languages? My father did a bit of that when he studied theology ~25a ago, but I don't know how widespread it is.

 

[Elrohir]

The big one: Arminian or Calvinist? Or somewhere in between?

 

[Margim]

How much does the knowledge that even our best manuscripts of the New Testament are error-ridden copies with things edited in and out of them and then (usually) poorly translated into the Bible you read and/or study effect your ability to believe in the doctrine of sola scriptura? I would assume that the doctrine was at least part of the basis of your faith considering you are Protestant. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I’ve kind of addressed this above… scripture is useful for revealing something of God. Limited use for history, almost no use in science etc.

I actually like the fact that it doesn’t all fit neatly together. You get a view of the different peoples/personalities and theologies that nevertheless contributed towards what we know about the one God… you even get a sense of some of the ancient debates on the matter sometimes. I find it has much more validity for its mistakes… you know it wasn’t some con written by an old greek guy in a study somewhere.

What is your idea of hell? I mean, do you think all who do not believe in Jesus will go to hell, or just "bad" people? Do you believe hell is an actual place, or simply seperation from God?
I ask because you seem like a typical Norwegian theology student, strongly on the liberal side

Edit: I say, most people will burn.

Well, I’m not Norwegian, nor typical, nor would I count myself especially liberal… if I was liberal, I would not maintain the deity of Jesus, nor would I maintain the centrality of him in saving the world.

My idea of hell is that if it exists, it will be a gracious God and God alone who decides the whats, whos, whens and wheres of it… I don’t particularly think it’s a place personally… more a ‘state’, the references to which describe a poetic description of separation from God

Were you a Christian since childhood?

Yes

What type of feedback do you feel or experience when you pray?

None, particularly, that I can think of.

Do you believe in modern day (and obvious) miracles?

I don’t disbelieve in them, although I take reports with a fair grain of salt…

How many angels can dance on a spork?

Depends how large the spork, and what kind of music is being played.

This may have already been asked, but do you look at the text in the original languages? My father did a bit of that when he studied theology ~25a ago, but I don't know how widespread it is.

My attempt at Greek was fairly average… most people are required to do one of the biblical languages. There are excellent commentaries available in interpretation now, though, which offer most of the possibilities for various words when we are writing exegetical (interpreting) essays.

The big one: Arminian or Calvinist? Or somewhere in between?

Neither really fit for me. To be honest, neither term is really used or discussed much at college outside of church history classes.

 

[El_Machinae]

.. nor would I count myself especially liberal… if I was liberal, I would not maintain the deity of Jesus, nor would I maintain the centrality of him in saving the world.

How so?
I must be missing something in the definition of 'liberal'

 

[Margim]

How so?
I must be missing something in the definition of 'liberal'

This probably represents quite well the sentence I should have written... anyone sitting to the left of someone is theologically 'liberal', while anyone to the right is more conservative.

Honestly, they are fairly subjective terms...!

'Neo-orthodox' might fit me a little better... at least, according to some silly internet faith quiz I once took.

I still maintain orthodox beliefs about Christ and God... but my understanding of tradition and scripture hang a little looser.

 

[El_Machinae]

None, particularly, that I can think of.

I've only ever met one other person who claimed to believe in Christ (as God) and who didn't feel 'feedback' (that is presumed to be God or the Holy Spirit) while praying.

This mindset is the most intriguing to me

 

[The Last Conformist]

I've only ever met one other person who claimed to believe in Christ (as God) and who didn't feel 'feedback' (that is presumed to be God or the Holy Spirit) while praying.

I used to be one of those people. It's part of the reason I'm no longer a believer.