Why Theology Matters: Christians Can Influence in the Public Square
"We live in a world in which the traditional boundaries that have separated peoples, countries, and cultures are rapidly disintegrating and God has not given us the luxury of opting out of moral responsibility!" A paraphrase from Rebecca Peters book, In Search of the Good Life
Theology matters because it impacts our culture and society. The Bible has a lot to say about these issues, but what role should Christians have in the public sphere? In this article, we'll explore why Christians should influence public debate and also examine two areas where their perspective is especially needed: human rights and Christian education.
Debates in the public square are often heated and divisive in our culture but it doesn't have to be that way. As someone of faith, I believe that theology should play a significant role in our current debates and give us the confidence to engage in dialogue with the world around us. We have much to learn and share with the world and as Christians, we have the Bible to stand upon. I appreciate the way Andrew Bradstock seeks to explain public theology in his paper Public Theology as Radical Action when he expresses that public theology should be like a gift to society.
I realize that not everyone may share this belief, so before getting into specific examples of how theology should inform our public discourse, let’s take a look at what theology is and why it matters.
What is Theology and Why does it matter?
Theology is the study of God. It is an attempt to understand who God is, what He has done, and what He is doing. Theological reflection can take many different forms, but it always starts with Scripture. The more academic, theological, and well-researched we can be the better because it means we have more to offer.
There are some people who view academic things as being negative, difficult to understand, and not relevant. However, this couldn't be farther from the truth! By nature, academics is a study of subjects that matter greatly because they're studied with an intense focus on what's important and relevant.
Theology provides Christians with a unique perspective that can help shape the public discourse. The Bible is clear that Christians are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). This means that we should not just be concerned with our own spiritual well-being, but also with the well-being of the public.
We must also remember that God is interested in every area of life. As Psalm 145:17 says, “The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made.” This means that we can find Him active in all aspects of life, including the political arena. By engaging in theological reflection, we can develop thoughtful responses to the challenges facing our society today. In doing so, we can help create a more just and compassionate world for all.
Okay, but what does public mean?
The word "public" is a tricky one to define, but it has many meanings. Theologian Marion Maddox offers three ways that we can understand the term and its relation with public theology:
It may refer both inwardly toward your family life or outwardly into politics;
It can refer to being present in the places where discussion and debates are taking place in order to have a positive impact on society.
And finally, the term can mean being accessible by everyone rather than just academics only.
According to professor David Tombs, "Public theology seeks to be an informed theological voice in the public square on public issues, for the public good." Public theology is a way of practicing the Christian faith that speaks deeply to people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
Examples of public theology making an impact!
Churches are already doing great work in the public square by using their theology to influence policy decisions. One example is the Church of Scotland’s report “The Inheritance of Abraham?” This report tackles poverty and inequality and makes recommendations to the government on how they can address these issues. The report is based in scripture and uses theological arguments to make its case.
Another great example is the work being done by Theos, a Christian think tank in London. They do policy research on a variety of issues such as education, welfare reform, and religion in public life. Their research is grounded in Christian theology and they use it to inform their policy recommendations.
In his encyclical Laudato si', Pope Francis addresses the global environmental crisis from a theological perspective. He begins by acknowledging the scientific consensus that the Earth is getting warmer and that human activity is the main cause. He then goes on to say that this is a moral issue because it affects the most vulnerable members of society. He calls for "a new global political authority" to tackle the issue, and he urges all people of goodwill to take action.
This is an amazing example of public theology but remember, you don't have to be Pope Francis to engage in dialogue with others and have an impact! Public theology can help Christians to be a powerful force for good in the world. When we engage in theological reflection, we are better able to develop thoughtful responses to the challenges facing our society. But we must remember theology should not be confined to a private sphere – it has a place in public.
Some issues facing our culture
One example of how theology should seek dialogue with society is around the issue of Christian Education. Christian education in our society is not seen as something valuable. The Bible is clear that God desires for His people to be educated. As Psalm 78:5-6 says, “He established a law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so that the next generation would know them, including the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”
It is important for Christians to speak out about the value of Christian education. Too often, secularists try to dismiss Christian education as irrelevant. But as Christians, we know that the truths of the Bible are foundational for all of life. As theologian Dr. R.C. Sproul says, “No Christian can avoid theology. Every Christian is a theologian. Perhaps not a theologian in the technical or professional sense, but a theologian nevertheless. The issue for Christians is not whether we are going to be theologians but whether we are going to be good theologians or bad ones..”
Theology provides the framework for understanding all of reality – including education. As Christians, we believe that God is the author of knowledge (Proverbs 2:6). He has revealed Himself in Scripture and created us in His image with the ability to learn and grow (Genesis 1:27) We should be involved in public theology to share the importance of Christian education to all.
Another example of how theology should inform our public discourse comes from the issue of human rights. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbour (Mark 12:31) and to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35). Rabbi Borowitz claimed that every human being has an absolute value in the universe. If we hold this belief then it creates a level of respect and openness to engage in dialogue. When we view every person as valuable, we also value their contributions instead of cancelling them like we so often see in the culture around us.
Human rights are based on universal values that are rooted in Christianity. The United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948, lists 30 basic rights that all people are entitled to, including the right to life, liberty, and freedom of speech. These values were inspired by Christian teachings about compassion and justice.
While there are many other examples we could discuss, I think it’s clear that theology should play a significant role in our public discourse. When we allow our theological convictions to guide us as we make decisions about important issues like Christian and human rights, we are obeying God’s command to love our neighbour and seek justice. And by doing so, we can make a difference in the world for Christ’s sake.
Conclusion
Theology matters because it gives us a biblical framework for understanding and engaging with the world around us. As Christians, we are called to be engaged in the public square. We must remember that theology should not be relegated to a private sphere – it has a voice in the public square. When we allow our theology to shape our public discourse, we can be salt and light in a culture that often feels polarized and hostile. By lovingly sharing the truth of the gospel, we can make a positive impact on society and advance the cause of Christ.
