Some years ago a friend asked why I didn't write pieces that were more theological, or offer in-services on St. Augustine instead of videos like "The Rabbi's Gift." I'm not quite sure he was satisfied with my explanation. Then I happened upon a wonderful book that I wish I had read before he asked the question. I just love the idea of theology as talking sensibly about God!
"We need to dispel the notion that theology is the exclusive preserve of experts and academicians. Theology is something that we all do all the time, even without actually paying attention to it. I find no better illustration of this than the conversation between Mr. Brown and Chief Akunna. The former had probably spent a few years studying the Bible and theology in his native England to prepare for his missionary journey to the African village of Umuofia. He possessed an impressive mastery of the religious vocabulary and could reel off the theological terminologies with ease.
"Chief Akunna had not received any formal theological training in the knowledge of his religion. Notwithstanding, he possessed a native sense of religion that made him a theologian of no lesser statue and repute than Mr. Brown. He knew how to talk sensibly about God—the nature of God, the meaning of worship, meditation and creation, divine providence, and divine retribution. In the course of this engaging conversation between Mr. Brown and Chief Akunna we get a clear idea of the meaning of theology: talking sensibly about God." Father Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator
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