Here's a dilemma that i think Ole will understand, and a question to go with it. While the neo-Calvinism movement has brought with it a healthy desire for sound doctrine among SOME college students, i would still say that on the whole the theological accuity of college age people continues to decline. Now i believe in theological training for college age people, but the dilemma is this: Who do we teach and how do we teach them? We are debating on "dumbing down" some of our training so it is accessible to more students. I don't like catering to ignorance, but if training is above the heads of half the students recieving it, is it worthwhile? But if we dumb down teaching and training, it certianly won't be as challenging to our more astute friends. If this is a trend, how can we step in the gap and continue to be as helpful as possible? How do you do it in Duluth, my flannely friend?
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It is a trend. I think we teach every glorious truth we can. Everyone everywhere is always at all times living out their theology. For the simple sake of sanctification and our duty in community to be a part of it, we MUST teach every truth that we mine from the word by God's Grace. If we want to see changed actions we have to see changed minds... but...
ReplyDeleteI think it was AW Tozer who said that "Before a sinful man can think a right thought of God, there must have been a work of enlightenment done within him..."
Most of what we see in students' lack of mental capacity to think big thoughts about Who God is stems from the fact that their heart is too small, not their mind. I think that until Christ is the object of greatest affection in the heart, the mind will continue flounder in the shallows.
Scarier yet is the student who THINKS they have a firm grip on theology but lack any real knowledge or zeal for the gospel. Biblical illiteracy among students is an atrocious disease not because it makes for crappy bible trivia contests at home-schooler conventions; but because it leads to gospel illiteracy, which is a terminal.
Lemme collect my thoughts and we'll continue this tomorrow... In Duluth we sauna at 11pm sharp, even when blog remain half commented upon...
:)
I definitely agree with Luke that we need to teach truth to students and as much as possible. However we are running into students who are very uneducated on theology. I'm don't want to point fingers and place blame, but we have so many students that claim to be followers of Christ and who have grown up in the Church who know little about theology.
ReplyDeleteNow I don't think we should just go ahead and teach systematic theology to everyone but we do need to teach. Some things I am toying with doing on my own campus is just teaching as much truth at LG and in SGs as possible, but doing Q&A times.
I've found that students have lots of questions about theology especially because what they have been taught their whole lives is being challenged for the first time in a real way. (especially being at a catholic school where they take theology class)
The real question is how do we teach the students who don't want to be taught or don't think they need to be taught? This I have no answer to, except prayer and discipleship. These students need one on one attention. I was one of these students at one time. and just like I have no power to change my own heart. It is only the HS that can change someones heart to want to learn what Scripture says, not what their pastor or parents say.
Today more than ever students cringe at the word "theology", and think of it as a discipline reserved for pasty old white guys in ivory towers and mega-churches. "Smart" people like theology - but humble, missional people don't have time for that stuff - they "just love Jesus".
ReplyDeleteThis is not a helpful phenomenon. In answer to the question "how do we teach students who don't want to be taught?" I say we give them the same charge Paul gave to Timothy: "Guard your life and your doctrine closely."
The two are not as disconnected as people would like to believe. Theology IS what we're teaching if we're teaching truth. BAD THEOLOGY is at the root of ALL BAD thoughts, feelings, actions.
So I think we DO teach a systematic theology, I just don't think we can use a pedagogy that smacks of seminary lectures. Short, guerrilla-style teaching which has a sharp, practical example in the life of the teacher will be the most effective delivery method for theological truth. Maybe the twelve disciples received a similar training style? Perhaps they were Millennials....