What Does a Theologian Do?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Exporter
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

Exporter

Guest
Since my early 20s I have read several exerpts of Theologian’s papers. I took 4 Univ. Courses in Philosophy and learned a bit about St. Thomas Aquinas…who I turn to yearly.

My question is about Theologians post 1850. Sure they teach Theology in school. They write a bit. But how can someone say a certain man is one of the “Leading Theologians”?

What can they do with Scripture, they cannot claim “devine reavalation” , that stopped with the death of the last Apostle, right? Do they rewrite Scripture? If they are Catholics I’m sure they can’t write counter the Original Scriptures. What kind of "breakthroughts could they have. Hey, it has all been done. Why do some posters say they have a favorite Theologian. Thomas Aquinas finished the book in my estimation.
 
Hello Exporter,

For four thousand years people poured over the scriptures and or oral traditions. There were some of the best theologians of the day, Moses, King David, Isaiah, Jeremiah. Then along came Jesus and everyone began to really see what scriptures were talking about. After Jesus, now you say we know even more with Thomas Aquinas? No doubt this is true. If Thomas Aquinas can bring us closer to the mind of God through scriptures than what we gained from Jesus and the others, then no doubt some other theologian can bring us closer to the thoughts of God than he. What do you think?

Peace in Christ,
Steven Merten
www.ILOVEYOUGOD.com
 
Theology concerns itself with religion.

At one time the term Philosophy (Greek: the love of wisdom) was synonomous with science.

Theology used Philosophy as a tool to make its discussions about God more palatable to the sceptic.

Today some Philosophers state categorically that they are atheists as a method of claiming objectivity, so Philosophy can now be said to be Theology without the subject of God.

I have studied philosophy for a number of years, but I am now discovering some of the deepest thinking has been done by the Theologians.
 
Hi Exporter,

We can never fully understand the word of God, in both its written and unwritten form.

Theologians strive to do this, and every generation contributes to a deeper understanding. For example, during the 20th C, especially the latter part, there has been a great development of Christology, studying the person of Christ in his time and environment, the relationship between his humanity and divinity etc.

At this time, theologians can explore such subjects as the doctrine of Mary Mediatrix of all graces. Many people are asking for a dogmatic definition, but we should realize that the Pope does not pull dogmas out of thin air. The reflection of theologians is extremely important, and the Pope pays attention to it. By the way, the Pope himself is a “noted theologian”!

Verbum
 
another thing, besides the true answers given already:

we, the church, are still forming our theology on various issues. consider stem cell research. consider the internet. there are things happening today, and the church must respond to these things. the church must teach us how to live. how to respond to issues of ethics and morality. how to deal with the EU or the tragedy in asia (no matter WHAT michael savage wants to call it).

so - theologians today grapple with these issues, and apply the teachings of Christ, and the wisdom of scripture, and the extant teachings of the church, to these issues as they arise.

one question being decided now is: should priests be allowed to marry?

one question we are NOT deciding is: should women be ordained as priests?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top