lifeasmission

In this original post I decried the unfortunate separation of the typical Christian church and theological education. I said that in a future post I would try and offer some more constructive thoughts - and so I shall.

I would say that churches, in as much as they have ceased to be a people who seek to be deeply theologically challenged, and therefore formed, have lost a vital dimension of what it means to be the people of God. Moreover, centers of theological education, inasmuch as their approach to and practice of learning has become disconnected from the actual living out of the Christian faith in various contexts and cultures, fail to do that which they claim to do - prepare men and women for lives of Christian witness and discipleship.

If the church in western culture is to bear Kingdom fruit in the future, these two dimensions of Christian existence must find fresh expression in their unity. I see two primary ways forward, neither perfect, but each necessary if something truly new is to emerge in the end.

First, centers of theological education, Seminaries and theological graduate schools, must explore ways to partner with in-service Christian leaders. Even better, they need to think strategically and creatively about partnering with entire communities of faith rather than simply individuals. This would have the following results…

1. Those engaged in theological education would be able to use their present ministry, context, culture and so forth for practical trial and reflection. Theory would be joined with real life practice and experience thus resulting in a mutually interpretive system which would enhance both educators and learners.

2. By necessity, theological education would become more of a dimension of life as opposed to just a season. As people are in-service, they will hardly be able to take the work of full-time students and will instead study and reflect at a slower pace.

3. By abandoning our current system of theological education whereby only a few have the opportunity and resources to pursue theological education, the number of people who could participate would sky rocket.

Second, churches across the board need to choke down their share of humble pie and realize the current and growing state of crisis the church in the west is in (theologically, I am more inclined to understand this as God’s judgment, but that’s another post). In short and on the whole, authentic discipleship is simply not happening, division amongst Christian brothers and sisters is painfully spreading, our world is not in awe over the works of God amongst his people, and the Jewish people are certainly not becoming increasingly jealous over Gentile believers (Rom. 9-11).

All this ought to combine to compel us to revisit our understanding of who God is and his intention for his people and the world. How do we do this? I have a few ideas, all of which have to do with discipleship as it relates to the sort of theological education I described above.

1. In studying and reflecting on the nature and purpose of the gospel, we need to walk with others into “Kingdom praxis” - studying and reflecting on theological issues and then ingraining practices into our lives whereby the implications of those reflections and insights are lived out.

2. In studying and reflecting on the nature and purpose of the church, we need to get way more serious about church discipline. This isn’t something that many people enjoy talking about as it sounds so very unloving and intolerant, but I would suggest that if this is how we think of it, then our understanding of God we profess to worship is sorely lacking. God, for the sake of the world has seen fit since the dawn of creation to discipline his people when they failed to be what he called them to be. Should the church as the incarnational witness of God in the world be any different? Of course God’s discipline has and is always done for the sake of restoration and reconciliation. I am not advocating rigid and intolerant churches, only ones which are consumed with the importance of being for the world what Jesus was for us.

3. In studying and reflecting on the life and ministry of Jesus, we need to let love abound. This can’t be overstated. By stepping into the life that Jesus has called the church to - seeking the good of others, blessing enemies, siding with the forgotten and oppressed, we will mysteriously and graciously find our capacity to love radically and captivatingly enhanced.

These are just a few of my thoughts as I dream about the reunion of serious theological reflection and missional living.