Who is the True Theologian?

In the field of religion, as in every other branch of human knowledge, there are those who devote themselves to its study and practice.  Some take faith and religion so seriously, that they choose to, based on their sense of calling or passion, to become leaders of the faith community such as pastors, priests, imams, rabbis, senseis, etc.  Others who are more oriented towards the intellectual side of religion, choose to become scholars in the field in order to teach at institutions of higher education.  And then there are those who seek to integrate the two in both their practice and research.  One may find, for example, that an individual engages in research and teaching in a school, while at the same presiding over a local congregation such as a church, a synagogue, a mosque, a shrine, etc.

Within the context of the faith community, we find that people are divided between the categories of ¨lay¨ and ¨ordained.¨  The so-called ¨lay folk¨ are usually the adherents or followers of those who are considered ¨experts." The ¨experts¨ are the teachers and the ¨lay people¨ are considered the ¨disciples,"i.e. those who are learning.

For the purposes of this essay, I would like to propose that we abolish the distinction between lay and ordained.  When we insist on maintaining that distinction, we perpetuate a structure of hierarchy that was never intended by the founder, and in the case of the Christian faith, Jesus Himself.

Once we abolish that dichotomy, we are then free to discover that so-called ¨lay folks¨ are theologians and scholars in their own right.  They may not have formal training in the fields of religion and theology, they may not possess degrees or certificates that set them apart from every one else, but they do bring their reflections of God based on their life experience.  They may not have titles such as ¨Dr., Rev, Rabbi, Imam, Abuna, Sensei,¨ etc., but they bring to the faith community a faith which has been formed and shaped by ¨the school of ¨Hardknox,¨ the reality of life and its struggles.  They may not be acquainted or familiar with the jargon of academia, or ivory tower speculation, but they have a basic faith that has ¨brought them safe thus far.¨ In essence, they can teach ¨a thing or two¨ to those of us who believe ourselves to be the ¨authority¨ on matters of faith and life.

I haves sustained in classes that I have taught in both churches and schools, that everyone is a scholar and/or a theologian.  We each bring our wealth of experiences, as well as our strengths and weaknesses to the table of God-talk.  No one´s notion of God is better or worse than others, or inferior or superior to other notions.  When it comes to notions about God, ¨it is what it is.¨  God is not, by any stretch of the imagination, the exclusive domain of credentialed people.  Nor can credentialed people claim or pretend to be infallible and inerrant on God-talk. To the chagrin of many people, I have often had to say to them that theology is not the task of ¨explaining¨ God, but rather ¨seeking¨ God in order to arrive at an ¨informed¨ faith.  Theology is ¨faith seeking understanding.¨  We are all on that journey.  Welcome aboard with us.

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

Dr. Juan A. Carmona

Visiting Professor of Theology, Tainan Theological College/Seminary.