Is Theology Futile?- Part 1
Friday, June 30, 2006
I am not a cynical person. Yet, on that rare occasion, I can't help but to wryly throw some remark according to that fashion. And so it is today. Today I rant (On second thoughts, no, I can't. I don't rant.). Alright, today I complain. Yes, that's a much better word. But it kind of means the same thing, does it not?
Ah, but who cares. As long as it is not ranting, it is fine by me. So here we go.
Firstly, let us discuss what precipitated this post, and this tone. I suppose the time to vent my feelings has come. (The fact that I am venting my feelings is something interesting, and something that I will discuss in my next post. But until then.) Not to pour it all out, mind you, but rather to let loose some steam. A little bit of it.
"No, (Insert name of my interlocutor here) you're wrong."
Boy, that's what is, without a doubt, the best preliminary response you can give to a person who has just given you his defense of his theological position (a very saccharine one, at that).
Then you proceed to give your refutation. And he gives you his rejoinder. And on and on it goes, until either side gets tired and the hated/loved "let's agree to disagree" statement comes up, and we both end our discussion jovially.
"No offense brother!"
Nope, none taken. You're just dead wrong when it comes to this and that and what have you. Then they come- the things you should have said during your conversation. Argh! If only you would've said them. Those damning objections that probably would have left him speechless, scrambling for an answer, all in vain. Heh.
Unfortunately, I've just digressed into pessimistic observation. That is just not me. (I make it a point to be an optimist no matter what)
But maybe there is no optimism to be had in this area called theology. I don't know, but if it's true, then, in the words of someone: "Let us make sure no others find out."
So the issue I bring up: Is theology futile? Is it a meaningless exercise in the esoteric? The speculative?
If no, then what end is there in sight for it? Why all the disagreement? Why all the differences? Does this not invalidate the very purpose of theology? To find truths about God, from his Word?
Too many questions, that's for sure. But I'll try to answer them all in the following posts. I've (in case you didn't know) already come to my conclusion long before I ever started writing this.
I guess it's up to you to decide whether it is a justified one.
Ah, but who cares. As long as it is not ranting, it is fine by me. So here we go.
Firstly, let us discuss what precipitated this post, and this tone. I suppose the time to vent my feelings has come. (The fact that I am venting my feelings is something interesting, and something that I will discuss in my next post. But until then.) Not to pour it all out, mind you, but rather to let loose some steam. A little bit of it.
"No, (Insert name of my interlocutor here) you're wrong."
Boy, that's what is, without a doubt, the best preliminary response you can give to a person who has just given you his defense of his theological position (a very saccharine one, at that).
Then you proceed to give your refutation. And he gives you his rejoinder. And on and on it goes, until either side gets tired and the hated/loved "let's agree to disagree" statement comes up, and we both end our discussion jovially.
"No offense brother!"
Nope, none taken. You're just dead wrong when it comes to this and that and what have you. Then they come- the things you should have said during your conversation. Argh! If only you would've said them. Those damning objections that probably would have left him speechless, scrambling for an answer, all in vain. Heh.
Unfortunately, I've just digressed into pessimistic observation. That is just not me. (I make it a point to be an optimist no matter what)
But maybe there is no optimism to be had in this area called theology. I don't know, but if it's true, then, in the words of someone: "Let us make sure no others find out."
So the issue I bring up: Is theology futile? Is it a meaningless exercise in the esoteric? The speculative?
If no, then what end is there in sight for it? Why all the disagreement? Why all the differences? Does this not invalidate the very purpose of theology? To find truths about God, from his Word?
Too many questions, that's for sure. But I'll try to answer them all in the following posts. I've (in case you didn't know) already come to my conclusion long before I ever started writing this.
I guess it's up to you to decide whether it is a justified one.
