Theology is important. Vitally important. Good theology, or orthodoxy to use a popularly rediscovered term, is the framework that keeps us out of all sorts of trouble.
Unfortunately, anyone who has ever read a theology book understands the suggestion of theology as a sleep aid. Theological writing tends to be dry, dull, and unimaginative. This is not because of the content, however. The content is (or should be) thrilling.
Scot McKnight makes a classic observation about theological writings while introducing a new series at his blog.
“Now a second reason why I want to look at Demonstration: systematic theologies bore me, not so much because of their content but because of their prose and their genre. Detail followed by detail in such a manner that I’m put to sleep. Shouldn’t a description of our faith, I say to myself, be more lively, more story-fied, more narrative, more in tune with the Bible.”
I love the way Scot expresses this. I could not agree more. Theology should not be written in such a way as to put the reader to sleep with unimaginative prose. God, as creator, created humankind in his image and likeness. We are created as creative beings. Why not use some of that creativity to accurately and compellingly communicate truth about the Creator?
Post a Comment