Theology Defined

What is theology?

St. Anselm's dictum serves as one popular definition of theology's task: "faith seeking understanding". Many theologians who write or teach extensively define theology as such. Others offer their own definition in various adaptations. But I am left unsatisfied with every definition of theology that I've ever known. They all have missed the mark. So here is my own stab at defining theology's task. Theology is:

The church, gathered and enlightened by Holy Spirit, discerning our Abba's vision for Jesus' messianic mission to engage the world through his disciples.

I admit that it is not as plain and succinct as Anselm's definition, but if we do anything less than this task then we are not doing Christian theology. This definition describes several distinctive elements of Christian theology:

• Theology is done by the community of the entire church rooted in scripture and tradition, not by individuals;
• Theology that faithfully tells the story of God is only possible through Holy Spirit, which means prayer, worship, and ministry are essential resources;
• Theology is idolatrous when it tries to understand the story of God, for the story continues to unfold in revealed yet surprising ways;
• Theology, then, is better defined as faith seeking discernment of God's in-breaking transformative story in light of the vision of shalom revealed in Jesus' life, death, resurrection, sending of Holy Spirit, and ascension;
• Theology in this way leads to knowledge only in so far as it leads toward communion with Our Abba through the Son in their Spirit;
• Theology, therefore, tells the story of the triune God's reconciling activity in our midst for the purpose of leading the church's mission for the sake of the world.