Protestant Contributions to Theology

[benjohnson]

I think Randy’s point is that so far as Christian theology is concerned, the following quote from Ecclesiastes is really true. Ecclesiastes 1:10 Nothing under the sun is new, neither is any man able to say: Behold this is new: for it hath already gone before in the ages that were before us.

This is truth! New theology is often bad theology.

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[Randy_Carson]

My sense of what the OP is saying (at least from what I find quite helpful vs a sense that it is “juvenile”) is major contributions to theological thought.

In hindsight, I do regret opening the thread in the manner that I did. I thought it would be a lighter discussion than some I’m currently involved in.

Although I’m not completely sold on the idea that Protestant theologians have contributed much that Catholics (and Orthodox) will find acceptable, I am interested and have been shown some areas of contribution by other posters.

More troubling to me are what I consider to be the considerable errors of Protestant theology. One I did not name previously which may lead to the ruin of souls is Eternal Assurance or “Once Saved, Always Saved”.

Therefore, I remain mixed on the meaning and value of Protestantism.

 

[Pilosopo]

This is truth! New theology is often bad theology.

But… what about the New Testament… “renewing/challenging” the Old Testament? Isn’t that something close to new theological thought building on old theological thought?

But… I guess I do know what you mean. It is never never never easy to put forth new ideas.

I think the Church will always be challenged to be responsive to human nature and the crazy world we live in. I think the keyword here is – responsive.

The Church will need theologians and even amateur theologians (pretty much anyone who speaks his mind on this or that theological idea), who can enter into the debate. But then, as Catholic faithful, we let the Magisterium step in and pronounce the words of the Holy Spirit.

 

[benjohnson]

But… what about the New Testament… “renewing/challenging” the Old Testament? Isn’t that something close to new theological thought building on old theological thought?

I had a good talk with my pastor this last weekend and he gave me a good insight on 'new theology." He likened the quest for something ‘new’ as a form of ‘gnostic’ thought - in that we humans desire an inside track and we like to think we’re more clever than our neighbor.

The takeaway message from him was that we have Christ on the cross, and we already have all the theology we need to proclaim it. So anything new has a good chance to lead us away from the cross, like so many heresies before.

 

[WTSherman]

I’m a fan of the Eastern Orthodox religion. It seems to me they should be natural allies to the Roman faith.

 

[Isaiah45_9]

I had a good talk with my pastor this last weekend and he gave me a good insight on 'new theology." He likened the quest for something ‘new’ as a form of ‘gnostic’ thought - in that we humans desire an inside track and we like to think we’re more clever than our neighbor.

The takeaway message from him was that we have Christ on the cross, and we already have all the theology we need to proclaim it. So anything new has a good chance to lead us away from the cross, like so many heresies before.

Snoopy is working on a new theology book:

 

[Church_Militant]

I have only read his book "How We Should Then Live

" I do not remember him being that bad in that one. I do not read books and notice that sort of thing unless it is blatant. You think I would have suggested Watchman Nee or Spurgeon or Sproll ( actually his book on the holiness of God is not so hard on catholics).
This is besides my point forget Schaefer. Tozer is great. No comment on the only person who I thought should have made a contribution to catholic theology Otto.I read that too, (many years ago) and I found it decent then, but since then I have seen some of his videos and, sadly, they were targeted at Catholicism.

As I said, Tozer “ain’t bad”, but I think he’s more on a devotional level than theological per se.

Read a lot of Watchman Nee back then too, and he wasn’t too bad, but the cult that seems to have grown up around him has gone over the edge from what I hear.

I think Randy is talking about actual theology, and the only guy I can think of who might qualify is our old a-C friend James White, but I don’t think he brings anything really new or insightful to the table.

As for my use of ***Ecclesiastes 1:10 Nothing under the sun is new, neither is any man able to say: Behold this is new: for it hath already gone before in the ages that were before us. *** I don’t think it is problematic in that one can take it in a general sense to cover a great many things.

 

[Church_Militant]

I had a good talk with my pastor this last weekend and he gave me a good insight on 'new theology." He likened the quest for something ‘new’ as a form of ‘gnostic’ thought - in that we humans desire an inside track and we like to think we’re more clever than our neighbor.

The takeaway message from him was that we have Christ on the cross, and we already have all the theology we need to proclaim it. So anything new has a good chance to lead us away from the cross, like so many heresies before.

A good point! The crucifixes always point us to “Christ, and him crucified” as St. Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 2:2.