When a Theologian Doesn't Know What To Say

Thinking Through Complicated Human Issues

“For when the will abandons what is above itself, and turns to what is lower, it becomes evil—not because that is evil to which it turns, but because the turning itself is wicked.”

—Augustine, Book XII, Chapter 11 of the Confessions

I’ve come to the conclusion that the soil of the Christian life is humility.¹ Humility is, in fact, the origin story of humanity. God created Adam (humanity) from the soil (adamah) and then breathed his life into mankind to bring them alive. It is from this lowly place—a place of humility—that God lifts up Adam and Eve and places them in the Garden of Eden, which is located on a mountain. A simple reflection on the origin story of humanity reminds me of my own limitations and weakness, my utter dependence on God for my very life.

(Picture Source:²)

And this brings me to social media and ministry in general. I’ve come to realize there are certain things that either happen to me or simply happen in the world that leave me stumped. They leave me wondering and curious, and I usually say to my closest friends:

“I’m not quite sure what to think about this.”

And this is where “thinking” comes into tension. What frames my thinking will impact my interpretation. I think this may be what Augustine is getting at in his book *Confessions” with the quote I started this post with. When the will abandons the ways of God (which are higher) for anything else (which is lower), we fall into the entrapment of evil.

Augustine’s *Confessions” is actually the inspiration for this series, “Confession of a Theologian in Progress.” Augustine wrote his book around 397 CE, almost as a biography. In it, he praises God, confesses to God (and all of us) his own sin and weakness, and calls us to repentance and humility.

I wanted a place for me to process my own frailty and weakness—a place to share my errors, a place to be honest when things happen that I want to “respond to,” but not from a place of authority but from a place of “I don’t know how to think about this.”

This is a place of honesty. A place of humility. A place of nuance. A place where I may be wrong in my thoughts, but I want to be honest that they are thoughts I am having.

Because of all these factors—nuance, vulnerability, and desire for authentic community—I am limiting these posts to paid subscribers. I really didn’t want to do this, but the more I thought about it and got feedback from friends and mentors I trust, I felt like it was the best option.

So here is an invitation for you, to join me “in progress”

Learn What My First Post Is About…..

Hint…It has to do with turning lemons into lemonade….