A Little Lesson For Young Theologians
A Little Lesson For Young Theologians
Dedicated to my young interns
I remember, as a brand-new 23 year-old seminary student, being given, by the school in which I was enrolled, a very small booklet, entitled, "A Little Exercise For Young Theologians." It was written by the German Lutheran pastor/theologian/philosopher/rector Helmut Thielicke, who was at the grand old age of 70, when I received his tiny tome. (I still have it, somewhere in my library.)
As I recall, Thielicke urged wet-behind-the-ears seminarians to adopt an attitude and spirit of humility and teachableness. And even though I do not remember all the specifics of his encouragement--I do recollect that it had a positive impact on me.
Being a young theologian is kind of a dangerous thing; and it is the inauguration of a lifetime of transformation, hopefully from "glory to glory," (2 Cor. 3:18), in Christ.
Here are a few pieces of practical counsel that I would give young theologians. These are not in any particular order. . . .
1) Recognize that you will inevitably follow someone (some theologian); and seek to make the very best choice possible.
2) Know that it is dangerous to only follow one theologian. Be sure to "buffer" your allegiance to one man with many ancillary helps from a number of other good thinkers.
3) Do not be afraid to read people who do not agree with your theological perspectives and convictions. By doing this, you may actually learn something new (or helpful) from them; and/or your own already-existing beliefs may be even more-fortified.
4) Do not be enamored with anything (or anyone) "new." There really is nothing "new" in theology; and it is dangerous to be mesmerized by a personality or a doctrine (that is novel to yourself).
5) Recognize that all theology, just like your own, is approached with inevitable presuppositions. Make sure that yours is the Person, work, and gospel of the blessed Lord Jesus Christ. As you do this, you will more-readily be able to spot those presuppositions that are not based in the Redeemer.
6) Beware of getting into the habit of "bashing" people whose theology you think you would not like. Oftentimes, this is done "second-hand," in the sense that we do not even read for ourselves what these people have to say. (I myself have benefitted quite a bit from Karl Barth's theological works--even though I have significant disagreements with him.)
7) (In harmony with "6" above), be careful not to "over-categorize" theologians. This is, I think, an endemic problem, especially in the Reformed world, (of which, of course, I am most familiar). The temptation is always to "clump" people into various rigid molds; and this is thoroughly unfair; and it violates the "Golden Rule," (Matt. 7:12). We would not want this done to ourselves. (I have noticed this tendency on all sides of the theological spectrum, from the "right," to the "left.") Charitableness should be the starting point, and ground rule.
8) Understand and accept that there *is* an absolutely perfect theology; and that we should constantly seek to be aiming at it, in all humility--but realizing (all along) that we will only fully comprehend this in glory.
9) Approach all theology through the lens of Holy Scripture; and accept everything the Spirit teaches us in it (the Bible). At the same time, recognize that there is a sanctified and God-ordained allowance for the use of regenerated reason (to rationally and consistently codify doctrines not specifically mentioned [by name] in the Holy Book). (The Holy Trinity is a classic example of this.)
10) Accept that you have an obligation to believe, preach, teach, and propagate your theology everywhere and at all times. But allow this fact to keep you humble, low, dependent, and ever-weary of error or extremes.
11) Always know that all good theology is wrought by the Spirit of God; and for it to be truly-useful it must be completely saturated in the Person, grace, love, mercy, and compassion of the Blessed Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel of God's kindness. (Keep in mind that the Pharisees had "good" theology, but it was demonic, since they hated and rejected Christ.)
12) Know that the aforementioned gospel is the "key" to all good theology. The "kernel" of the gospel is Jesus; and everything else (in theology), like the law, for example, directs us to Jesus in His gospel.
13) Especially as a "young" theologian, guard against getting too "excited" about anyone or anything in theology (other than Jesus, His gospel, and His church kingdom).
14) Do not be threatened by people or theologies that differ from your own. If you are threatened, your thinking is probably "off."
And finally, 15) Do not be overly-enamored with academic degrees. Sometimes these are helpful, in discerning qualifications--but it is highly unwise and very naive to put too much stock in them.
In reality, all human persons, and all angels (for that matter), are indeed "theologians." This is because humans are created in the image of God. Because of this, everyone: young and old, men and women, boys and girls, Christians and unbelievers, are *all* theologians. The only question is: "Is our theology true, i.e. centered in Jesus; or not?"
As a little help, I will share the theologians who have been most beneficial to me, my own soul, my ministry, and my development as a Christian. . . . Again, this is not in any "absolute" order. . . .
1) John Calvin: especially in his emphasis on the Spirit's work. (Probably the church's greatest theologian since Augustine.)
2) Augustine: especially as a philosopher. I like his work on Creation a lot.
3) Jonathan Edwards: clearly the greatest North American theologian/philosopher of all time. His love for God is contagious.
4) Martin Luther: though not a classical "systematic" theologian, he was a fine exegete of the Scripture. His Commentary on Galatians rates at the top of my list.
5) John Owen: there is something noble about his writings.
6) John Colquhoun: highly-underrated/but really good.
7) Thomas Watson: brilliant writer/fantastic pastoral heart.
8) John Murray: wonderful 20th Century theologian; his exegesis in his Romans Commentary is amazing.
9) Richard Sibbes: sweet pastoral heart.
10) Anselm: brilliant thinker. Would have been a great Protestant.
11) Aquinas has to be mentioned, though I have not read much of him.
Here are a few (not all, by any means) modern and/or contemporary men who have helped me: Sinclair Ferguson, RC Sproul, Keith Mathison, Robert Godfrey, and Michael Reeves.
Of course, I could mention fellow-elders and presbyters who excel me, and have blessed me a lot, (but I will not mention any names).
From my seminary days (1979-1983 for an M.Div.), the following men especially helped me: Dick Bodey, Stuart Hackett, DA Carson, Grant Osborne, David Larson, John Woodbridge, Kenneth Kantzer, Harold OJ Brown, David Dunbar, Walter Kaiser, and others (whom I am sure I am forgetting).
My own dear father (in glory), and Lt. Gen. Thomas Jackson (CSA) have also had profound influences on my theology.
So, whether we are young or old, in the formal pastoral ministry or not, let us be good, humble, and Christ-loving theologians.
Rev. Mark J. Henninger
Treatise #8
10 March 2025
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