Who is considered a theologian?

[TheAdvocate]

A university theology professor once told me that even being a professor of theology doesn’t qualify someone to be considered a theologian, nor does possessing a doctorate in the field. He said that to be a theologian, you have to take theology into a new direction (and by this I don’t mean heresy), or develop a theological insight, etc.

Meanwhile, a respected high school religion teacher I know considers himself a theologian.

I tend to agree with the professor. Any thoughts?

 

[Neofight]

I would say it doesn’t matter, one way or another.

Pope Francis pointed out recently that faith is far more important than theological degrees.

To me, (and I say this without meaning to sound uncharitable), It sounds like both the good professor, and teacher might have issues with humility.

 

[JamalChristophr]

Yes, what you say makes sense, I think. The word “theologian” is just a construct anyways. It seems to me the Church’s best theologians, in my opinion have been the 33 Doctors of the Church, but wait, aren’t there more than 33 now?

Many of them did not have any formal theological degrees, but I like like and would hope that I love reading the doctors of the Church like St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Catherine of Siena…I think they are even better theologians than “theologians” in the classic sense.

 

[Seraphim73]

“If you are a theologian you truly pray. If you truly pray you are a theologian.” - Evagrius of Pontus

 

[1newcatholic]

I know a few doctoral students and several Catholic priests who would disagree with your professor–who decides what is a significant “new” innovation in theology? Theology is a pretty big field (apologetics, ecumenical studies, Christology, soteriology, eschatology, etc) and there are lots of specialists in each particular field.

N.T. Wright is considered to be one of the world’s leading theologians, but I challenge you to find one “innovation” that represents a “new direction” in theology under his name. Sometimes, being an adequate champion of tradition is enough to be known as a theologian.

Your professor is right that just because someone is teaching a theology course at a college, doesn’t mean they are a theologian. Your professor is wrong in implying that ‘real’ theologians are all heavyweight change-makers.

 

[TheAdvocate]

I know a few doctoral students and several Catholic priests who would disagree with your professor–who decides what is a significant “new” innovation in theology? Theology is a pretty big field (apologetics, ecumenical studies, Christology, soteriology, eschatology, etc) and there are lots of specialists in each particular field.

N.T. Wright is considered to be one of the world’s leading theologians, but I challenge you to find one “innovation” that represents a “new direction” in theology under his name. Sometimes, being an adequate champion of tradition is enough to be known as a theologian.

Your professor is right that just because someone is teaching a theology course at a college, doesn’t mean they are a theologian. Your professor is wrong in implying that ‘real’ theologians are all heavyweight change-makers.

By new direction, I don’t mean novelty. Thomas Aquinas took theology into a new direction, but I wouldn’t call his work non-traditional.