Introduction Christian faith cause us to think which does not mean that being a Christian per say is exhausted

in thinking. John Calvin puts it clear when he says that the genuine knowledge of God is inseparable from worship and service.1 Faith seeks the truth of God that wants not only to be known by the mind but also to be enjoyed and practiced by the whole person. However, even though theology as a thoughtful faith comes from and returns to the service of God to neighbor, it is as a mystery. As I seek to define what theology is in this discourse it will come out clearly how Christians have been unable to fully understand God and His mysteries making theology a compound subject to be comprehended by believers. Theology; definition Theology has been basically defined by the Greek scholars as theo meaning God and logia meaning study. Therefore as derived in Greek vocabulary is a study of God. Indeed, there are many definitions of theology. For instance, the Macmillan English dictionary defines theology as the study of God and religion2, basically a study of religious beliefs. The Random English Dictionary3 defines theology as the rational interpretation of religious faith, practice and experience: experience as; the analysis, application and presentation of the traditional doctrines of a religion or a religious group. As the study of God and His relation to man and the world: a branch of systematic theology dealing with the arguments for the existence of God, the divine nature and attributes, and the doctrine of the trinity, creation and providence. It further defines theology as the analytical and historical study of religious beliefs; the interpretation of religious beliefs in relation to contemporary thought and life.

In spite of of the many definitions of theology, I have seen it as the state and deposition of the soul which has the character of knowledge. The dominant position of theology is practical, not

1 2

John Calvin. Truth for all Time: A brief outline of the Christian Faith. The Banner of Truth Trust, USA. 2008 Macmillan English Dictionary for advanced learners: International student Edition. 3 The Random English Dictionary of the English Language: The Unbridged Edition.

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dormant, habit having the primary character of wisdom. The underlying tone here is that having understood theology as a soul disposition and having a practical facet, I am bolding its weight that it is a characteristic of practical, salvation oriented knowledge of God. This makes it more a discipline. A faith that seeks to understand God Warfield defines theology as the science of religion4. A religion whereby in its most general sense, is the sum of relations which man sustains to God, and comprises the truths, the experiences, actions, and institutions which correspond to, or grow out of those relations. For instance, Christian religion is that body of truths, experiences, actions and institutions which are determined by the relation supernaturally presented in the Christian scriptures which narrows down to Christian theology. Christian theology is a scientific determination, interpretation and defense of those scriptures, together with the history of the manner in which the truths it reveals have been understood, and the duties they impose are being performed, by all Christians in all ages. Theology therefore grows out of this dynamism of Christian faith that incites reflection, inquiry, and pursuit of the truth, not yet possessed, or only partially possessed. I have at least observed two fundamental truths of this quest of faith for understanding that we call theology. The first has to do with the particular object of Christian faith, a faith seeking to know God and His mysteries5. Faith is faith in the living God, and God is and remains a mystery beyond human comprehension. Therefore it is not without a reason that man designs to define theology as a faith seeking to understand God. As Marcel notes; Christians are confronted by mysteries in all the central affirmations of faith: the wonder of creation; the humility of God in Jesus Christ; the transformational power of the Holy Spirit; the miracle of the forgiveness of sins; the gift of new life in communion; the call to the ministry of reconciliation; the promise of the consummation of Gods reign.6
4 5

Marcel calls our attention to that the eyes of the Christian

Warfield, Benjamin B. Studies in Theology: The Banner of Truth Trust, Pennsylvania USA. 1999. PG6. Theodore G. Tappert. Luther Larger Catechism, in the Book of Concord. Philadelphia Fortress, USA. 1959. Pg305 6 Marcel Gabriel. The Mystery of Being. Henry Regnery Publishers, Chicago. 1960. Pg 260-61

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faith see the world as being overwhelmed and encompassed by the mystery of the free grace of God. The second fundamental root of the quest of faith for understanding is the situation of faith. During my training in Kikuyu Mission Hospital as a chaplain I observed how mystifying the situation of faith is, to many believers. Many were the times I heard believers questioning of Gods love. If God loves why am I suffering? Does God cause pain to the faithful ones? Why was I attacked by robbers and all my precious property taken? Why did I have to lose my leg in that accident yet God testify of His watch over me day and night? Schillebeekx puts it clearer; Christian faith causes us to think. 7 The situation of faith to believers is perplexed when they are forced to think of it. When bewildering arises questions as well arise at the edges of what we can know and what we do as human beings. In such times of sickness, suffering, guilt, injustice, personal or social upheaval, these questions thrust themselves on us with Special Forces. This is all because believers are not in any way immune to the questions that arise in these situations. Therefore Christians may be more perplexed than others; this is because they have to relate their faith to what is happening in their lives and in the world. This is when people try to use logic to measure faith and lived reality. By this they will have to experience frequent absurdity between the two; faith and lived reality. Indeed this is not without a reason; Christians live a life of faith, a faith whereby they believe in a good and sovereign God, but with an aspect that they as well live in a world where evil time and again seems triumphant. They believe in a living God, but more often than not, they experience the absence rather than the presence of God. a contrast of their believe is observed under some clearly notable premises, for instance, it is evident that Christians believe in the transforming power of the Spirit of God, but they know it too well the weakness of the church and the frailty of their own faith. Christian faith is a mystery to both believers and non-believers. This therefore provokes human beings more to think about it. Christian faith asks questions, seeks understanding, both since

Schillebeekx, Preface to Interim Report to the Books Jesus and Christ. New York, Crossroads. 1981

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God is always greater than the human ideas of God, and because the public world that both faith dwells in confronts it with challenges and contradictions that cannot be given a cold shoulder. Not to repeat myself but just a confirmation of Schillebeekx words, that it is indeed evident that Christian faith causes us to think in order to have a greater scope of the situation of faith. Who does theology? All worthy courses have some goal that is purposed towards which the effort moves. Many people have perceived theology as a course or study potted for pastors. I strongly stand to declare that theology should be studied by all believers to understand and guard their faith. Many are the times people have wondered why to study theology but surely those who understands outstands. The Christian faith recognizes that the non-Christian philosophy of education integrates all truth and demonstrates the relationship of all subject matter to Him. Making believers to know, love and walk with God will be impossible if the Christian faith just feeds them with facts of history and those in the Bible. This is an educational system that leaves God out of its teaching and it gives believers a religious education only. It is important to note that educating the mind leaving behind the soul make us dangerous people in the society creating moral vacuum which causes problems. Therefore the Christians faith goal is to make all believers gain wisdom which is termed as the ripe fruit of knowledge and experience integrated into total person; his outlook toward life, his practical dealing with things and his fallowness, his understanding of himself and the role of humanity within the natural and divine universe and living according to Gods intended purpose. In addition, the ultimate goal of teaching theology to all people is to educate them in the commitment of their lives to Jesus Christ for each and every boy and girl, man and woman in the church; this surely surpasses all other goals of the Christian faith in. In addition, Habermas confirms Platingas thinking by saying that there was a strong reason for the rise of higher institutions of higher learning. Higher education was begun as an essential of

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Christian endeavor.8

The love for Christ and His Kingdom motivated people to start

institutions of higher learning like Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Princeton. The founders of these institutions (Harvard particularly) claimed that the reason behind starting them was to make all students know Jesus Christ.9 Note: all students note particularly priests or pastors but all students regardless the course of life one takes. Conclusion In conclusion, through my discussion I have throughout proved of my conviction that theology must be critical be a critical reflection on the communitys faith and practice. It is not simply a reiteration of what has been or what is currently believed and practiced by a community of faith. I have therefore communicated it out that theology is a quest of truth, and that presupposes that the proclamation and practice of the community of faith are always in need of examination and reform. Truly when this conscientiousness for critical reflection is neglected or relegated to merely theoretical faith and ornamental role, the faith of the community is invariably threatened by lightheartedness, conceit, and ossification. Coming to a seal of the theology discourse, believers ought to take their faith in a more critical manner other than theoretically perceiving it. Theology is a faith that seeks reflection and understanding in relation to the day-to-day life of believers.

Habermas, T. Ronald. Introduction to Christian Education and Formation. Zondervan, Grand Rapid,Mchigan.2008 P.263. 9 Available at http://www.forerunner.com/mandate/X0056_Americas_Schools.html/Monday, November 07, 2011, 9:56:55 AM

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Bibliography Habermas, T. Ronald. Introduction to Christian Education and Formation. Zondervan, Grand Rapid, Michigan. 2008. http://www.forerunner.com/mandate/X0056_Americas_Schools.html/Monday, November 07, 2011, 9:56:55 AM John Calvin. Truth for all Time: A brief outline of the Christian Faith. The Banner of Truth Trust, USA. 2008 Macmillan English Dictionary for advanced learners: International student Edition. Marcel Gabriel. The Mystery of Being. Henry Regnery Publishers, Chicago. 1960. Schillebeekx, Preface to Interim Report to the Books Jesus and Christ. New York, Crossroads. 1981. The Random English Dictionary of the English Language: The Unbridged Edition. Theodore G. Tappert. Luther Larger Catechism, in the Book of Concord. Philadelphia Fortress, USA. 1959. Warfield, Benjamin B. Studies in Theology: The Banner of Truth Trust, Pennsylvania USA. 1999.

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