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If yes, should ordinary believers refrain from answering questions in order to avoid providing erroneous answers?
If no, why would anyone pay a salary to a Theologian when an ordinary believer can answer questions just as well?
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2007-12-22 14:34:55 · 13 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote that he would not be amiss in stating that if at least one unlettered soul can gain entrance to Heaven through grace, then all of the vast libraries of theological thought and debate are rendered nothing more than vast impertinence.
Smart man, Hawthorne.
2007-12-22 14:39:40 · answer #1 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I say a theologian certainly isn't anyone who doesn't understand the limits of their own human understanding and won't acknowledge that flattery can lead to pride and compromise.
It is those of a humble and contrite heart that are able to properly divide the word of truth.
I would not be surprised that some of those you call "ordinary Believers" are the Spurgeons and Bunyans of our day. However at the same time, there are many deceived people providing seemingly intelligent answers that are completely void of truth.
Further, I don't beleive this the proper place to be seeking answers to the very quintessential theological queries of our age, one should take it upon one self to juxtapose the works of those like Nietzsche and Lewis and determine the truth for themselves.
2007-12-22 22:59:27 · answer #2 · answered by Ephesus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In general no they are no bettered equipped then any other person, and in fact may be at a disadvantage due to his or her partiality to one certain religion, However that same disadvantage could be a positive when a specific question is asked of a certain religions ideals, principals, beliefs or dogma etc etc, but those even often vary by geographic location and local practice of a religion.
Most theologians are paid by some religious affiliation to either spread or teach that religions beliefs, althought some are paid within the secular world also.
2007-12-22 22:54:33 · answer #3 · answered by p_isfor_pecker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think in some cases, the answer is that they are. When some of us are quoting chapter and verse to prove some of the 'evils' of Christianity, it would be helpful to have someone arguing backk who was able to cite chapter and verse as well. Some educated enough to cite OTHER sources as well, rather than having to rely on the "it's in the Bible, and if you believe some of it, you believe all of it, and in the way I like it to be translated" argument.
On the other hand, many of the questions we ask are emotional. Why do you believe? DO Christians think ___? And do you say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? These questions can be answered by any believer. They're opinions, personal testimonies, and individual thoughts. Allow them that - the Christian church encourages it so little.
2007-12-22 22:43:46 · answer #4 · answered by Katie Short, Atheati Princess 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends upon the question. Questions of doctrine, certainly. Questions of the existence of a deity, only in some cases. Intelligent believers (and I stress the word intelligent) are as capable of answering those questions as anyone (completely incapable). However, Yahoo can't stop anyone from answering in an open forum. Atheists give wrong answers as well.
2007-12-22 22:43:00 · answer #5 · answered by Eiliat 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the question. Anyone asking questions on here should know better if they are seeking scholarly answers.
Even theologians differ on their answers.
Before any get too excited - I see the same thing on evolution questions here.
2007-12-22 22:49:53 · answer #6 · answered by D2T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes Seminary-trained theologians to teach the new believers
otherwise - you get a new cult popping up - thinks they believe in Jesus AND their beloved beliefs
and they thank God for IEDs and dead soldiers
and only bring disgrace to the rest of the faithful
blessings
2007-12-22 22:42:08 · answer #7 · answered by tom4bucs 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
they are professional pundits
sometimes the severely unlearned can observe the most profound event that theologians will miss due to being narrow minded
2007-12-23 09:55:14 · answer #8 · answered by voice_of_reason 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Theology is not a real domain of study. Theologians have no useful knowledge that the ordinary man on the street does not have.
2007-12-22 22:41:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Complex question...I'm not a theologian but I can answer your question. Simple....You don't study and you don't know.....you are a goofball..Try again.
2007-12-22 22:46:31 · answer #10 · answered by chilicooker_mkb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋