Jeremy Begbie on Theology

Buried in the Introduction to Jeremy S. Begbie’s Resounding Truth: Christian Wisdom in the World of Music, Engaging Culture (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007) is a superb three-page treatment of the nature of theology.

He writes:

‘I am taking theology to be the disciplined thinking and rethinking of the Christian gospel for the sake of fostering a wisdom that is nourished by, and nourishes, the church in its worship and mission to the world’ (19, his italics).

He then unpacks that statement phrase by phrase...

• Disciplined thinking and rethinking – a form of thinking that ‘is affected by, and out to affect, every human faculty – including our willing, feeling, sensing, and bodily actions’ (19).

• Of the Christian Gospel – ‘the announcement that in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Triune Creator, the God of Israel, has acted decisively to reconcile the world to himself’ (20).

• For the sake of fostering a wisdom – a practical orientation, and ‘directed toward a lifestyle thoroughly “in tune” with God’ (20).

• Nourished by, and nourishes, the church in its worship and mission to the world – such that ‘the gospel finds its outworking in a people gathered by God’s Spirit to share God’s life and make known what he has done in Jesus Christ, a people of worship called to be in and for the world’ (20).

He reflects, in conclusion:

‘In the sense I have described it, theology can and should be practiced by all Christians, not only professionally trained academics. All Christians who think intelligently about their faith along these lines are theologians’ (21).