When I first got into my theology degree, I went to my local Christian bookstore and asked which books I should buy if I study theology. The kind old lady handed me How to Stay a Christian in Seminary.[1] I was shocked. How could one lose their faith while studying the bible? Later, I came to see how easy it was. As you dig into the "synoptic problem," wrestle with what Paul meant by the "Righteousness of God," or debate the meaning of Pistis Christou ("faith in Christ" versus "faithfulness of Christ"), the Word of Life can start to feel like a textbook, rather than the living, active voice of God.
This tension between faith and academics does not have to be negative. It can strengthen our faith rather than erode it. Complex theological issues can draw us closer to God if we learn to hold our ordinary theology—our foundational faith in Christ—alongside our academic theology.
ORDINARY AND ACADEMIC THEOLOGY: TWO WAYS OF KNOWING
In A Model for Evangelical Theology[2], McFarlane builds on Jeff Astley's[3] ideas to define two distinct but complementary ways of doing theology: ordinary theology and academic theology. Both approaches are vital to our formation and our service to the church. As McFarlane notes, "One is formative; the other is critical."[4]
Ordinary Theology
Ordinary theology is the expression of faith lived out by every believer. Ordinary theology is best done on one's knees in prayer[5]. It delights in the simple truth: "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Ordinary theology is relational, springing from our walk with God and expressed through prayer, worship, and acts of love. It's inward-focused, aimed at conforming your character and actions to the word of God.
Ordinary theology is not about intellectual debates but about internal transformation. It's foundational for all Christians, teaching us trust, obedience, and love for God and others. In this regard, one can say, "everyone is a theologian" for every thinks about God.
Academic Theology
On the other hand, academic theology takes place in seminaries and universities, where the purpose is critical study and external engagement. It is best done behind a desk and a stack of books[6]. Academic theology is outward-looking, equipping the believer to deepen their understanding and communicate the gospel effectively in a complex world.
At least that is how Mcfarlane understands it. The experience of many students in secular universities is far removed from this. You cannot expect your instructors to hold evangelical or even distinctly Christian beliefs. So, often the assessments they request stop at the historical, cultural or sociological realities of the Christian faith rather than the theological (which is the study of God in and of himself).
However, academic theology can and should serve the church and personal faith by answering thoughtful people's questions. It enables us to explain our faith clearly, engage sceptics thoughtfully and articulate the truths of Christianity with depth and precision.
HOLDING ORDINARY AND ACADEMIC THEOLOGY IN TENSION
For theology students, holding ordinary and academic theology in tension is crucial to a faithful approach to studying and living out our faith. If we lean too heavily on one without the other, we risk becoming intellectually over-inflated or spiritually shallow.
One way to understand the importance of this balance is by imagining a "stick figure theologian." Suppose we develop only our "heads" (intellectual understanding). In that case, we may become lopsided Christians—with big heads but tiny hearts and hands. Instead, our goal should be to grow as whole Theologians with heads full of knowledge, hearts full of love, and hands willing to serve.
Ordinary theology grounds us in personal transformation and daily obedience. In contrast, academic theology allows us to precisely communicate these truths to the world. Both should lead us to worship as our knowledge of God deepens, and we see His majesty more clearly. Both help us to rightly handle the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15).
DEVELOPING AS A WHOLE THEOLOGIAN
Practice Prayer Regularly Before Studying
Two forms of prayer can help you keep the ordinary among the academic. First, a short prayer to remind you by whose power you 'live and move and have your being' is the Jesus prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner". Pray this prayer repeatedly and contemplate each word. Watch the glory of Christ grow, and yourself shrink. The other is to set aside time to pray the scripture, not just study them. It is simple: work through a Psalm line by line, praying whatever the Holy Spirit and that Psalm brings to your mind. You will never find yourself running out of things to pray.
Study Devotionally
You cannot spend your morning devotionals tackling text or Socio-rhetorical criticism. However, you can spend them looking for God's explicit instruction and hope giving promises, found in all of scripture. Consider this list of things to look for that can keep your devotions concise and fruitful.
- Promises to claim
- Sins to forsake
- Prayers to echo
- Commands to obey
- Examples to follow
- Blessings to enjoy
- Doctrines to believe
Act out the Drama
To steal an analogy from Kevin Vanhoozer[7], if scripture is a divine script, life in the church and the world is the performance. Biblical wisdom is not found simply in truth but rather in one's ability to live out the truth. Scripture comes alive in worship, praise and service. Find a Christian community and give everything you can to it. Allow your knowledge to be guided and shaped by mature Christians.
If you want your studies to benefit you, the church and the world you need to grow in both the ordinary and academic. We need critical scholars, but we also need authentically spiritual scholars. The mistake of the past was to think those should be separate; you must prove them wrong.
Notes:
[1] Mathis, David & Parnell, Jonathan. 2014. Wheaton: Crossway.
[2] McFarlane, Graham. 2020. Grand Rapids: Baker
[3] Ordinary Theology: Looking, Listening and Learning in Theology. 2002. London: Routledge.
[4] McFarlane, 41.
[5] McFarlane, 40.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Faith Speaking Understanding: Performing the Drama of Doctrine. 2014. Louisville: Westminster John Knox
