The Marketing of Theology as History


Tremendous and thought provoking post from Prof April DeConick of Rice University:

The Forbidden Gospels Blog: Theology is not history: “Christian theology has been marketed as historical fact in the churches, and this is the real issue at stake. So what are theological doctrines (virgin birth, resurrection, miracles of Jesus) have to be perceived as facts in order for the faithful to remain faithful. I’m not sure what to do with this, except to put it out here as an observation.”

As a Baptist in the South who is doing the circuit rider preaching thing throughout North Carolina while I complete my MDiv, I frequently encounter this type of marketed mindset. Even more troubling is that I frequently encounter the mindset that theology is history (and history is theology) at my seminary.

It is an issue I’ll struggle with throughout my career.

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