Who Needs Theology (who even knows what it is?)

Today I began going over a book I read a while ago called Who Needs Theology?  It's a good question for most laypeople and sadly a lot of pastors because oftentimes they have no idea what theology is and why it is important.  Grenz (R.I.P) and Olson give a good primer on theology and it's importance in the church.  I can't summarize the whole book, but I will include some snippets here:

"Theology is the study of God, his attributes, and his relationship with man and the universe" (37).

Theology is necessary because of the incarnation of Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.  God's continual work begs theological reflection

"Christian theology is reflecting on  and articulating the God-centered life and beliefs that we share as follower of Jesus Christ, and it is done that God might be glorified in all we do are and do" (52).

Theology has tasks (or things that must be included):

Task #1 - The critical task of examining Christian teachings and beliefs for consistency with authentic Christian sources of truth (70).

Task #2 - The constructive task of setting forth the unity and coherence of the biblical teaching about God, ourselves and the world in the context in which God calls us to be disciples (77).

Proper tools of theological enquiry: Biblical message, theological heritage, and the thought forms of contemporary culture (92).  "Everything  about the Bible is foundational to theology.  To understand this, we must keep before us what Scripture is" inscripturated revelation" (930.

1. Relevant theology articulates Christian beliefs in a manner that people can understand (contextualized).

2. Relevant theology speaks to the problems, longings, and ethos of contemporary culture.

3. A relevant theology also takes seriously contemporary discoveries and insights of the various disciplines of human learning

Theology's constructive task is to set forth the unity and coherence of the biblical teachings about God, ourselves and teh world in the context in which God calls us to be disciples (104).

A truly relevant Christian theology always returns to the Bible as the norming norm (112).

The first level of theologian is one that doesn't know a lot about God, but has a heart and passion for seeking God.

The second level  of theologian requires that you become dissatisfied with your present level of understanding

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