Missing Theology

By -
One fine day (while, for some, it might not be that "fine"), one good but little known friend from other planet cracked joke for me. I was trying to get the gist of his joke but unfortunately it never happened. For my friend, he still find his own joke very funny and he laughed all along until the end of the joke. Just to avoid embarrassment, I joined him, though I felt little awkward. Realizing that I was not quite following him, he started to explain the joke. Now, when the joke is explain or translated, it is not that funny as it should be in the first impression. I finally realized that I will never understand my friend's joke until I immerse myself into his community.
Now, another story which is happening in most of the Asian countries is missing theology. I don't need to explain the meaning of 'theology'. We understand generally that it has something related to God. If you are expert in theology, I can see you trying to define what is theology while reading this small note. I agreed, you are better than me in defining 'theology'. So, I let me make myself clear to you that I am not trying to do anything to nullify your 'high theology'. But I am trying to wake you up to something real. Imagine, the real situation of the people whom you are serving and preaching day-in and day-out, hitting and breaking the pulpit, making people more sinful by revealing the holiness of God from the Bible, etcetera etcetera. That is fantastic! You are praying and reading and more praying and more reading! Great job. You and I have been doing that for years and years. But the real problem is still there among us. Intensive poor! abused women & child, alcoholics, corruptions, human rights violation, destroying environment, drugs and prostitutions, people living with HIV/AIDS, etcetera etcetera. and you have more lists than mine. Does our theological endeavor has nothing to do with all these issues and your lists of issues. Talking about heaven and hell, some people are already living in the hell now. Imagine, a jobless couples with five young children having last bowl of rice, not knowing how and where can they get for another meal. They just can't simply die. It is hell of a living. There are worst scenarios than these.
We have a great task in reaching out those marginalized group of people in the society for Jesus also did the same. Until we follow our Master's footsteps, we are doing a 'missing theology'.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Critical Asian Principle (CAP) as fundamental cornerstone for doing theology in Asia

By -
The Critical Asian Principle or in short CAP is something Union Theological Seminary, Philippines will be proud of for years to come. It was formulated and introduced by the former president Emerito P. Nacpil. Since its inception and eventually adopted as a basis for doing theology in Asia, CAP has been a vital part in unearthing the richness of Asian thought. Today, we can see the objective of CAP being realizing each day in many Asian nations by way of promoting theological education which is basically and fundamentally Asian. Our uniqueness of Asian; our cultures, religious needs and questions, our experiences etcetera etcetera, are distinct from the thoughts and experiences of other parts of the world. Our distinctiveness and uniqueness necessitate CAP. It addresses the issues and concerns of the Asian community effectively. Having subscribed to CAP doesn’t necessarily exclude other school of theologies or thoughts as many would opined. However, this principles provide a platfo...
Read more

Tenants in the Vineyard (Matthew 21: 33-45, Mark 12: 1-12, and Luke 20: 9-19)

By -
Image
No doubt, the parable is subversive and we can see that from the reactions of the chief priest and Pharisees. The parable posts a great challenge and need careful study. In most cases today, it was the owner who is manipulating the poor tenants. The tenants are the one who are tossing and twisting by landlord. Now, certainly we are not identifying with errant tenants in the vineyard. The great challenge here for a pastor is “where can we fit in to the parable?” We are neither tenants nor the owner. Who are we then? We are other tenants who will be given the vineyard by the Landlord! How can we draw meaning and purpose from such subversive parable is a great challenge. In the present world, the resemblances we can observe with that of the errant tenants are our politicians and those big business people who are money mongers. In some way, they are entrusted with responsibilities by God. In Jesus times, chief priest and Pharisees were the “tenants”; entrusted to take care of God’s people ...
Read more

I don't understand!

By -
The meaning of Christian has been jeopardize and damaged by some "holier than thou" people. Something is terribly missing the today's Christian. As far as the meaning of Christian is concern, it means follower of Christ! not something like religion of sect of this world. Many Christians missed the core value and principle of the Christian. Christ is all about loving, caring, sharing, and giving to all those who are deprived of such. It is easy to love those who are able, easy to care for those are well to do, easy to share with those whom we trust, generous to give to those who can give us back some day! Absolutely there is complete absent of Christian value in this kind of actions and way of life. I hate myself when I found in one those situations. You might also feel the same, sometime if not always. If Christian live out at least little of Christ likeness, how beautiful it can be. We think more of ourselves than others, we care for ourselves more than others. Yes, we m...
Read more