The Syndrome of Screwed Up Theology

One of the many problems that we encounter in the Christian Church is that of bad theology.  In ancient times it would be referred to as "heresy" or "unsound doctrine."  Today, it is difficult to determine what is and what isn't unsound theology for the simple reason that we have layers upon layers of criteria as to what determines good theology and what constitutes bad theology.  This problem is further compounded by the fact that we look up to certain people in the Church as "the experts" on theological matters, and at the same time, tend to minimize our own ability to decipher truth. We delegate to others the task of constructing our theology so that we don't have to think through the implications of our faith.  For many of us, critical thinking is a daunting and very taxing process that we would prefer to avoid.  As one young man that I know said to me once, " I don't want to do all that work."

Examples of having what I call a "screwed up theology" are the following:

1.  A verbatim regurgitation of Scriptural texts.  Many people cite Bible verses in a verbatim manner as if that, in and of itself, elicits divine truth.  People who utilize this approach project the impression that when we do this, that we then have "biblical theology," or "a theology based on the Bible."

2.  A mechanical and robotic quoting of the Bible.  This is demonstrated by the utterance that is used commonly among Christians, "the Bible says."  The texts are quoted in a mindless and impulsive manner. Many famous preachers have resorted to this, and because they have a loud voice, they tend to attract masses of people.

3.  The adoption of a "feel good theology."  If both the content and thrust of a particular theology appeal to the emotions, then it is embraced without any further analysis or question.

4. Embracing "market-place theology."  This approach to theology entails embracing beliefs and ideologies that are based on rumors that we have heard either in the streets or in the Church itself. If plenty of "Joe Blows," and " Mary Janes," pass it off as truth, we are prone to swallow it blindly, and receive it as "Gospel truth."

What then, is the solution for getting out of this morass of hodgepodge theology?  As I stated in a previous blog post, there are no easy answers. I will not repeat the steps that I alluded to in a previous post, but I will indeed, add that among other things, we need to utilize our grey cerebral matter in the construction of a clearly defined theological system.  We can no longer afford to put our intellect in a draw and replace it with mindlessness and blind, uninformed emotions.  The Christian faith is a thinking faith.  God calls us to think, and to think critically and analytically.

In the Name of the Creator, and of the Liberator, and of the Sustainer. Amen.

Dr. Juan A. Carmona