Question About Theologians?

Question

What exactly does a theologian do, I mean, what is involved in becoming and being a theologian? I know the obvious, you study the different parts of theology..etc..But once you get that degree, what is it like to be a theologian? Please be as descriptive and as thorough as you can.

Not THEOLOGY...THEOLOGIAN. It's a profession, not a realm of study.

Interesting, thanks for sharing that morahist... I'll have to look into those. Thank you for bringing up that point... I'm only 14, but I've considered either becoming a theologian or Lutheran Pastor...we'll see. I just wanted to know a little more about theologians so I could look into it more. I'll certainly have to learn more about Pastor Life as well.

Answer 1

Theologians study the actions and reactions of the human spirit. But theology is always the study of *your* religion; the study of another's religion is psychology.

Theologians then are dedicated to using their theology to facilitate their self-consciousness of personal spiritual experience, i.e., the religious effort to define, clarify, expound, and justify the experiential claims of religion, which, in the last analysis, can be validated only by living faith.

Answer 2

Theologians are academics... many of them teach (university level and higher) and pretty much all of them research and write. So a lot of experiences you hear about from other professors will apply to theologians.

The education leading to this career varies based on your location and the religion and denomination you are in. For Roman Catholics in the USA, there are degrees at all levels in with titles like "theology," "pastoral ministry," "divinity." Within those, you can focus on moral theology, biblical theology, liturgical theology, etc etc etc.

I'd say that this is a career for people who are passionate about the subject, who are big into research and scholarly writing, and who are willing to teach in order to help pay the bills.

Answer 3

A theologian attempts to give understanding an relevance to principles of faith found in the Bible, Tradition, Reason and Human Experience. In oher words s/he tries to make the faith understandable and relevant to our lives.

There are many branches of Theology: Biblical Theology, Systematics, Spiritual Theology, Sacramental theology, Ecclesial Theology, Moral Theology, Liturgical Theology, etc.

Answer 4

A theologian studies theology. After that, they generally teach theology or go into seminary and become ordained. Then they just beg for money the rest of their lives and preach to people.

Answer 5

Well, I'm most familiar with Christianity. Christian theologians are usually people who tell us what the bible really means when it says stuff that isn't true.

For example, John 14:14 says whatever you ask for in Jesus' name will be granted. This is obviously not true. Enter the theologian who will explain that John 14:14

Doesn't count for selfish requests
Doesn't count for sinful requests
Doesn't count unless you keep all the commandments
Doesn't count for requests not already in God's plan
Is always subordinate to "Thy will be done"

This way they can pretend that John 14:14 is a real promise even when it never works.

That's what theologians do.

Answer 6

I think theology is basically a Special Olympics version of philosophy.

You come up with interesting theories, but unlike rationally arguing them as a philosopher would, you just find some random sacred texts that justify whatever you happen to think.

"Hey, what if ... sin... is cast down through sperm!?" --St. Augustine, theologian and SAINT! (Not a direct quote.)

Answer 7

When I graduated..I was told not to make waves and only teach that Jesus save's and I will become rich..needless to say I didn't follow that advice.

Answer 8

Gotta go with what the The Dude said.

Best answer imo.