Different theological scholars have different opinions on theology, ranging from the definition of the term to the implications and applications of the ideologies of the concept to the church in the modern day. The conflicting views all have different impacts on the understanding of the subject. The perceptions provide a view of the general image of theology in the society according to various contexts. The essay explores the topic of theology, the effects that the views of the church in the concept have on the Christian ministry, and how to apply the subsequent theological truths in personal lives.
The Theology of the Church
Theological scholars consider theology to be a necessary and subsequent reflection of the church. The basis of the reflection is on the practices and language of faith observed in the church, which is observable in a variety of levels and contexts of everyday life activities[1]. Christian theology exists in different social contexts and has a unique relationship with the church. Theology offers direction and censure to the churchsince the church should be able to be self-critical. The doctrine is what enables the church to scrutinize the proclamations and practices of the organization. The scrutiny provides for the evaluation of the level of truthfulness to the gospel of Christ, which is a reflection of the norms of the mission and existence of the church. Theology has a number of branches which include biblical theology, historical theology, philosophical theology and practical theology. One needs to understand what the branches are and how the four subdivisions are related. Biblical theology focuses on an in-depth study of the old and new testaments, which the church acknowledges as first-hand witnesses of the works and word of God. Historical theology identifies the ways through which the expressions of the Christian life and faith have changed under the scrutiny of experience and reason. Practical theology takes a look at the integrity and connotation of the primary activities in a church, and detailed ministerial tasks like educating, preaching, offering pastoral guidance and counseling, visiting the bereft, ill and dying, and attending to the underprivileged.
Theology carries a larger task in the matters of faith, identified by the title systematic theology. [2]
Systematic theology also goes by the names constructive theology or doctrinal theology. The aspect of systematic theology interacts with the other branches and with the aim of being a coherent, timely, responsible and faithful depiction of the Christian conviction. The main challenge of the subdivision is to develop new interpretations of the practices and teachings of the church with consideration of factor the church holds as of most importance. The factor is the belief that the gospel sets people free and restarts life. At least every Christian, and especially Christians who take up leadership responsibilities, takes part in the queries of systematic theology through church activities. The theological methods listed above vary in the means of the pursuit of use of a certain theology[3]. The solidness of the situation in which a specific theology finds application determines the questions a person addresses and the priorities of the time. Each scenario comes with a different intention and criterion. Social localities of theologies dictate queries that only apply to the specified location, which also have different measures and specificities of competence and verity. In an academic setup, the context of theology tends to be apologetic in nature while in the church; the concerns of theology are in the elucidation and illumination of a given message. In the society at large, theology deals with a concrete consciousness of the armistice and impartiality of God.
The use of an analysis by Tracy facilitates three important types of theological methods. The first method is the Christocentric theology.[4]
The procedure deals with God’s word in that the theology is a form of discipline for the church. The people use the doctrines for continuous tests of the nature and norms of the organization. The theology becomes a method of testing the declarations and structure of the church with reference to the Holy Scriptures. A view of the word reveals concerns that deal with the present time rather than the personal experience people have. In the doctrines, the questions that arise should have answers according to subject of the theology and accompanying norms. The second method is of correlation with Paul Tillich’s contrite theology.[5]The demonstration of the chain of outcomes is visible in the leadership of the church. Any questions of interest in the method arise from the analysis of a circumstance through the institutions of art, science, philosophy and literature. Answers come from a correlation of the questions with the views in Christianity. The method prevents the creation of a rift between human philosophy and disclosure. The revelation should have impact on a situation for the information to be clear, which is achievable through focusing on the specific questions that arise in a particular situation. The final method follows the praxis tactic of freedom.[6]
A combination of emancipation theologians represents the procedure. The theologians are aware that the methods of theology were varied in bygone days and agree that the previous methods are indispensable. The group reiterates the need for a new system because the factual dedication to and tussle for justice should be paramount. The struggle is the cause for the questions that arise in theology.
Implications of the Theology of the Church on Christian Ministry
One would expect that as the understanding of the Christian faith grows through theology, the person would aim to impact the surrounding world with the gathered knowledge. The impact of theology on ministry can be seen through how a person uses exegesis, personal witnessing, history and logic.[7]The focus of the four aspects applies to the view of ministry and theology according to the church of the New Testament. The scripture should provide an authoritative outlook to influence and update theology and in turn effect and apprise the ministry.God inspired the Holy Scriptures and so the word reveals the nature and works of God. The context through which people should view the bible is of the understanding of God’s revelation through the scriptures.[8] Ministry becomes understandable through different views with the use of the context described in the previous statement above. An example illustrated in the book of Acts 6:1-6 exemplifies that people should hold the scriptures in high esteem. The verses illustrate that the Holy Spirit leads, teaches and ministers to Christians. Such is an example of the preeminence of the word as influenced by God’s Holy Spirit. Terminologies such as ‘good and bad theology’ can describe an assortment of theological structures and approaches to ministry. One can only dissect the two through the bible.
The first use of exegesis is evident in the reading of Acts 6:1-6. The ministry arose out of the need for equity in the distribution of food amongst the widows of the Jews.[9] The disciples recognized the challenge and acknowledged the accountability each person held towards God to deal with the situation. The logic behind the decision of the disciples is that the group held God’s word in the highest regard. By choosing to address the problem, the disciples realized that the team had sinned against the widows by failing to attend to the women. Also, the group recognized that courtesy of the accountability to God, failure to do what was right would be more costly in eternity. The resolution of the issue resulted to an increase in the potential for growth. From the example, one can obtain five principles that are important in leadership. The principles are reflective of the implications of theology in the ministry. The first principle is the use of specific methods of the selection of appropriate numbers of people for completing tasks[10]. The second principle is in the choice of men. The disciples had good character and were full of the Holy Spirit. The third principle dealt with the designation of duties. The disciples conducted the activity in public to avoid raising any unnecessary concerns of fairness. The fourth principle focused on the ability to organize. The apostles were competent in matters of organization. The twelve paid attention to details and could distinguish the expectations from the groups the disciples handled. The last principle was of the decision to hold prayers and sharing of the scripture in the new church. The step initiated the joint ministry.
The New Testament provides example of the outcomes of the exaltation of the word of God. The stories shared in the scriptures attest to the power that ministries experience where the word of God receives preeminence.[11] In the first example, Paul provides an outlook of how theology changes a ministry through the confrontation between the man and Peter. Paul had to correct Peter due to the weight of the abundance of the truth in the scriptures. Theology revolutionized how leaders of ministry viewed people form dissimilar cultural backgrounds so that ministry became inclusive of all ethnic backgrounds. In a second example, John praises Gaius in 3 John by saying that the man walked in truth. The theology of the scriptures had become evident in the life of Gaius. In the same letter, John elucidates the difference between right and wrong in terms of bad and good theology. In a third example, Paul elaborates on a form of bad theology.[12]
Paul rebuked Alexander and Hymenaeus for blasphemy. The rebuke was in such a form that the apostle still pleaded for the souls of the two brethren. In so doing, Paul demonstrated that the execution of discipline in a ministry should be in such a manner that the outlook of God becomes enhanced.
Implementation of Theological Truths in Personal Lives
Observations from theological principles are useful in the development of strategies that enable people develop and improve performance in ministries. The strategies can be useful in solving problems related to low outreach and participation in evangelism. [13]
One can identify factors that may contribute to the growth of a ministry. Such factors may include the level of spirituality, involvement in the community, holding activities for unchurched people on the Sabbath, and creation of a positive atmosphere in congregations[14]. Successful attendance to the named features would require a deeper personal involvement in community outreach and evangelism. Christians would need to rekindle the urgency to share the word of God and equip other Christian with the tools need to spread the gospel to even more people. Activities that the people would need to undertake would include becoming a companion, involvement in intercession prayers, having a listening ear, organizing entry events and projects for services, and giving testimonies of personal faith.[15] The strategies for evangelism would need to encompass the components of testimonial, direct, interpersonal, intellectual, serving and invitation. Each individual would need an understanding of the missionary calling.[16] Above everything in the Christian life, Christians have the mandate to evangelize to people so that the unbelievers too may have the chance to experience the salvation of Christ.
Conclusion
According to theological scholars, theology is a necessary and subsequent reflection of the church. The reflection has basis on the faith of the church, which is reflective in the language and practices of the organization and everyday life. Theology is the source of direction for the church by enabling the church to examine the assertions and practices of the setup. There are five branches of theology, which intertwine to provide comprehension of a specific theology in a particular circumstance. The theologies have a variety of applications in the lives of Christians today. A thorough understanding of the concept of theology and the application of the ideologies in various situations caters for the efficient functioning of ministries. The knowledge a person gains through the study of theology empowers the individual to influence the surrounding world. Thee basis of any ministry and the interpretation of the accompanying theology should be the Holy Scriptures.
Bibliographies
Batten, Fred, “The Development and Implementation of a Community-Based Evangelism Model in the Word of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church in Memphis, TN,” (2015), Pp. 1-185. Project Documents.Paper 289.
Migliore, Daniel, “Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology,” (2014), Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing: Cambridge, Print.
Sharp, James, “How Theology Impacts Ministry,” The Journal of Contemporary Theological Studies, Pp. 1-13.
[1]Migliore, Daniel, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, 10.
[2]Migliore, Daniel, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, 2014, 11.
[3]Migliore, Daniel, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, 2014, 16.
[4]Migliore, Daniel, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, 2014, 16.
[5]Migliore, Daniel, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, 2014, 17.
[6]Migliore, Daniel, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, 2014, 17.
[7] Sharp, James, How Theology Impacts Ministry, The Journal of Contemporary Theological Studies, 1.
[8] Sharp, James, How Theology Impacts Ministry, The Journal of Contemporary Theological Studies, 1" 2.
[9] Sharp, James, How Theology Impacts Ministry, The Journal of Contemporary Theological Studies, 8.
[10] Sharp, James, How Theology Impacts Ministry, The Journal of Contemporary Theological Studies, 9.
[11] Sharp, James, How Theology Impacts Ministry, The Journal of Contemporary Theological Studies, 10.
[12] Sharp, James, How Theology Impacts Ministry, The Journal of Contemporary Theological Studies, 11.
[13]Batten, Fred, “The Development and Implementation of a Community-Based Evangelism Model in the Word of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church in Memphis, TN,” 2015, 16.
[14]Batten, Fred, “The Development and Implementation of a Community-Based Evangelism Model in the Word of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church in Memphis, TN,” 2015, 21.
[15]Batten, Fred, “The Development and Implementation of a Community-Based Evangelism Model in the Word of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church in Memphis, TN,” 2015, 22.
[16]Batten, Fred, “The Development and Implementation of a Community-Based Evangelism Model in the Word of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church in Memphis, TN,” 2015, 24.
