Fernando on theological education

Fernando’sDesk once again has a very thoughtful meditation up, this time on theological education. I was, of course! (right?), caught by this comment:

“Which is why, in my view, we need our best theologians in the church, not in the academy. OK, that is maybe oversimplifying a little - but only a little.

It is also why blogs and online networks are so important for theological education today; they subvert the territorial domination of theological education. For me, my library, especially it’s journal room and the large cache of 20th century theology (that were we seldom, if ever encouraged to really read), was a deeply subversive place. A lot of this stuff wasn’t just better than what I got in lectures, it was different and that difference was one of the biggest things missing in that college. More importantly, it gave me hope, fueled my imagination and in the end gave me courage to follow some different theological roads. I realised very early on that the theological discourse was bigger than the agenda of the institution. It drove me to make connections with creative thinkers outside my denomination. There is no doubt in mind, that were the internet available then as it is now, it would have provided a positive sense of hope and optimism during those tough college years.

Once we start to see the bigger picture, the larger discourse and the role of pre-programme formation I think we become less obsessed with who got what job and better able to focus on the missional issues.”