Theology in High School and (Especially) Beyond

Telford Work, Westmont College
August 18, 2004
 
I. What Is Theology?
Stanley Grenz: "systematic reflection on, and articulation of, the fundamental beliefs we share as followers of Jesus Christ."
(Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....)

II. What Is Basketball?
Noah Webster: "a usually indoor court game between two teams of usually five players each, who score by tossing an inflated ball through a raised goal."
Who plays?
How do we learn it?
What's the point?
What if you're not a fan?
III. What Is Music?
Noah Webster: "the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity."
How do we teach it?
We introduce it, train people in it, show it.
III. Theology beyond the Dictionary
Theology sees all things through the lens of Jesus Christ.
It is not bloodless definition and analysis, but part of a life.
Ludwig Wittgenstein:
"Would it be correct to say our concepts reflect our life?
They stand in the middle of it." (Remarks on Colour, 302)
Examples of standing in the middle of the good news:
Acts 4:23-31.
Col. 2:20-3:17.
Morpheus in The Matrix Reloaded.
Augustine, Confessions.
Luther, Shorter Catechism.
Christ is over all, so we never outgrow theology.
 
We all fall short, so we can still see things out of focus.
Example: Mark 8:31-33.
Then things go wrong!

Discussion Questions
What matters most to you right now?
Does the story of Jesus Christ make sense of it? How?
(What might Peter in Acts or Paul in Colossians say?)
Do you want to get better at seeing theologically?
What are you ready to do to make that happen?