He wrote: “The man who studies theology…might watch carefully whether he increasingly does not think in the third person rather than the second person...."
I know he means to think about God in the 2nd person, as You, instead of in the 3rd person, as He/Him. But there's got to be more than that.
2007-09-16 14:27:15 · 5 answers · asked by Bearcub 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's kinda a warning to theologians not to get so wrapped up in the "technical side" of theology that they forget Who it is they are mentally dissecting.
Theology is by its nature a "speaking about God." (Speaking to God is prayer.) It means that theologians need to remember that God is ultimately a Who, not a What.
2007-09-16 14:44:46 · answer #1 · answered by Acorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that HT means that theology is not just the history, sociology and philosophy of religion,but a living "I-Thou" relationship with God as well. real theology cannot be just an abstraction and academic exercise,although the rigors of the sciences must also be applied to theology.
2007-09-16 21:34:28 · answer #2 · answered by James O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you talk in the 3rd person (He is this, He does that, etc.), you are no longer talking with God, you are talking about Him. When you talk in the 2nd person ( You are this, You are that, etc.), you are talking directly to Him. Helmut Thielicke wanted people to be careful of speaking to God in the 3rd person.
2007-09-16 21:36:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that theology is too impersonal. That you shouldn't worry about theolgy, just believe.
2007-09-16 21:34:03 · answer #4 · answered by BerserkKirk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without seeing the context of the quote, it's hard to say what he meant.
2007-09-16 21:30:58 · answer #5 · answered by Antique Silver Buttons 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋