Faith Seeking Understanding

There are many ways in which Faith expresses itself, like in worship, in meditation, in prayer, in conversation, etc.

Another is....

Faith seeking understanding, or as one might say yet more plainly, faith doing theology.

St. Anselm, d. 1109, archbishop of Canterbury, wrote a much-praised monolith with the same title as this piece, in Latin of course, Fides

Sainy Anselm, d. 1109

quarens intellectum.

Theology is of the mind. It seeks to defend and explain the beliefs of authentic Christian faith as tested by the Bible and by the finest creeds and statements in church history.

So too, faith seeking understanding has been my primary interest as a minister or, if you will, as a theologian who endeavors with all seriousness to define the true faith and implement its principles.

Among the first assertions in theology are three: 1) that faith is not science; (2) faith is not something that is done will-nilly, like some forms of church worship; and 3) worship should always operate within the boundaries of authentic biblical and historical witness, if it is to be true to itself.

The theology of faith also must clarify: a) its boundaries are biblically defined, not politically interpreted though it speaks to dangers in society as necessary. b) Theology must also clarify that it is always testing itself, not only biblically but also by the accurate interpretations of faith made by the truly outstanding theologians in Christianity's storied history

Some present-day theologians identify colleagues of modern times as being true to the faith; like Protestants Fredrich Schleiermacher and Albrecht Ritschl of the 19th century; Protestants Paul Tillich and Karl Barth of the 20th century; and Catholic theologian Karl Rahner.

Two Key Questions:

Does one have to be a professional in order to understand and express a sound theology?

Answer: Absolutely not. Many laity do understand the biblical truths.

How does one know if his or her theology is true to the Bible?

Answer:

Again, it's simple. Do you see honesty, truthfulness, compassion, mercy, justice, acceptance, and most importantly do you see the paramount place of L-O-V-E for others in the life and teachings of Jesus the Christ?

If so, you are on the mark.

Above all, theology understands. It's that simple.