‘Do not settle for a desktop theology’

---

Across the spectrum of Christian culture, one characteristic is shared by almost all traditions: the church uses a lot of words.

Church services are jam-packed with songs, hymns, bible readings, sermons, liturgy and prayers. Religion and theology produce untold books, podcasts and blogs (like the one you are reading).

And so often, it is those most prolific at shaping and expressing words – preachers, writers and theologians – who are the most esteemed. Often they will be promoted at events with endorsing words like ‘author of over 20 books’.

Incarnated

But we ought to be suspicious of dis-embodied words which are not rooted in practice.  We must resist the tendency for Christianity to be reduced to an intellectual exercise, a doctrinal debate or a cognitive experience. Beliefs only become faith when we put them into action.

The ultimate Word of God, Jesus, was incarnated as a human, in a particular time, in a particular community. As John 1:14 in The Message puts it:

‘The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood’

Therefore words: sermons, books, theology and bible study should never be ends in themselves. They are means that should equip people for action.  As the book of James warns:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Strong roots

Books and blogs can do an important job – I would not be writing this unless I thought so. We have to understand God’s grace and truth and grapple with what it means for today. Strong roots are vital for a healthy tree. But they are not the tree itself.

Good theology produces the fruit of love.

This is why Christian knowledge should never puff us up, make us proud or give us delusions of grandeur. For knowledge should simply oil the works of love, equipping us to live and work for God’s purposes. As Paul put it in 1 Corinthians 13:2:

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge…but do not have love, I am nothing”.

Ultimately, all Christian reflection and writing counts for nothing unless it is practised.

‘Do not settle for a desktop theology’

This emphasis was captured brilliantly by Pope Francis in a letter to the Catholic University of Argentina when they celebrated their 100th Anniversary:

“We must guard against a theology that is exhausted in academic dispute or watching humanity from a glass castle. Do not settle for a desktop theology. Your place for reflection are the boundaries. And do not fall into the temptation to paint, to perfume, to adjust them a bit and tame them. Even good theologians, as good shepherds, smell of the people and of the road and, with their reflection, pour oil and wine on the wounds of men.

Theology is an expression of a Church which is a “field hospital”, which lives its mission of salvation and healing in the world. Mercy is not just a pastoral attitude but it is the very substance of the Gospel of Jesus…Without mercy our theology, our pastoral care runs the risk of collapsing into bureaucratic pettiness or ideology, which of itself wants to tame the mystery. Understanding theology is to understand God, who is Love.”

Good theology is not done from glass castles. Good leaders smell of the people. Churches should be more like field hospitals than lecture theatres. Mercy is the substance of the gospel. What is done at the desk is not as important as what is done on the street. Theology is about understanding the God who is Love.

As Shane Claiborne said:

“Most good things have been said far too many times and just need to be lived.”