Theology Beyond Belief | Why How You Think About God Matters

Summary

In this episode of the Faith Roundtable, Josh Burtram interviews Timothy R. Gaines about his book 'The Walking Theological Life' and the importance of theological method. Gaines explains that theological method is the 'how' of theology, the process by which theology is done. He emphasizes the need to examine the 'who' as well the character and virtues of the theologian. Different theological methods can lead to different theological conclusions, whether you start with philosophy, revelation, or human experience. Gaines encourages humility and a willingness to examine and critique one's own theological method. In this conversation, Tim Gaines and Josh Burtram discuss incorporating secular disciplines and their methods into theology. They explore the risks and benefits of using secular methodologies in theology, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the limitations of these methods. They also discuss the Wesleyan quadrilateral as a framework for theological exploration, which includes scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. They highlight the dynamic nature of theology and the need for ongoing questioning and exploration. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the purpose of Tim's book and how listeners can access it.

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Key Takeaways

1. Theological method is the 'how' of theology, the process by which theology is done.

2. Different theological methods can lead to different theological conclusions.

3. The character and virtues of the theologian are important in theological method.

4. Humility is vital in theological method, as it allows for examination and critique of one's own beliefs and methods. Incorporating secular disciplines and their methods into theology can have both risks and benefits. It is important to recognize the limitations of secular methodologies and not rely solely on them for theological exploration.

5. The Wesleyan quadrilateral, which includes scripture, tradition, reason, and experience, provides a framework for theological exploration and evaluation.

6. Theology is a dynamic process that involves ongoing questioning and exploration. It is not a static set of beliefs, but a journey of understanding and growth.

7. The purpose of Tim's book is to invite ordinary people to engage in theology and be formed by the virtues of the Christian community. The book can be accessed through Tim's website or platforms like Amazon and InterVarsity Press.

Notable Quotables

"Theological method is the examination of how theology gets done."

"Some theological methods lean toward Athens (philosophy), some lean toward Jerusalem (revelation)."

"Different methods produce different theological results."

"What do you think are the risks and the benefits of incorporating secular disciplines and their methods into our theology?"

"I think that all depends on what you mean by secular."

"I'm comfortable with using secular methodologies, but I also want to recognize their limitations."

Keywords

#theology #virtues #philosophy #revelation #humanexperiences #humility #seculardisciplines #risks #benefits #secularmethodologies #limitations #Wesleyanquadrilateral #scripture #tradition #reason #experience #dynamicnature #questioning #exploration #purpose #book

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