If bad theology can destroy, can good theology restore? By bad theology (and its embrace by individuals, groups, and nations) I mean things like human dominion equaling environmental destruction or male domination over women or divine right of kings or non-Christian religions being wrong/demonic, or LGBTQ-phobia; things like that. By good theology, I mean being guided by love of others or each person being in the image of God or the Golden Rule or feeding the hungry/housing the homeless/caring for the immigrant/visiting prisoners; that kind of thing. It isn’t that good theology isn’t practiced and proclaimed by some people; it’s just that bad theology seems to be more popular. What if we taught good theology and helped our children think deeply about faith rather than spend so much time on myths like Noah’s Ark or Adam and Eve?
Jesus tried to fix some of this with lessons like “You have heard it said, but I tell you…” He saw that some rules were created because humans can be ignorant, so God (or God’s representatives) decided that some things should be unacceptable while others were fine. Like wearing mixed threads – I have no idea what that is about, and only people like the Amish pay attention to that. Like taking the Sabbath – human beings, generally, are selfish, so they will allow slaves and animals to die so they can make a buck. That’s why, I think, the Sabbath was created for everyone and everything; animals, immigrants, slaves, and one’s own family. Good theology cares about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Bad theology cares about power and control.
Good theology demands equality, and where there is no equality, equity. Good theology doesn’t hand out a list of damnable offenses; it offers opportunities for each person to find forgiveness and grace. It also expects those who have been forgiven to be forgiving towards others. Good theology doesn’t give space for greed or selfishness; good theology has expectations and free will and consequences. It reminds us that God has given each one of us tools (gifts and graces) to make life better for others and for the community, and if we use our privilege to take advantage of others, God will not be pleased.
Mostly, bad theology creates division by supporting our belief that what we think or do or say is right and all others are wrong. Good theology listens and discerns and decides what makes sense for the listener, not for everyone else. Good theology gives guidance while protecting the oppressed from those who practice bad theology. And just because there are people allowing bad theology to do harm doesn’t mean that God is dead; it just means that those of us trying to be good theologians aren’t doing enough. It means we need your help. We are responsible for our own actions, and we should be doing better. To paraphrase the Good Witch, “Are you a good theologian or a bad theologian?” Because it matters.
Prayer – Allow Your Holy Spirit to guide us, God of love and grace, so we don’t make a mess of things. Amen.