John Anning

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A Philosophical and Theological Perspective of Origins and Faith



© 2010 John Anning   
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Theology
"It is widely understood to mean literally "the study of God".


Theology

Theology
Theology finds its scholars pursuing the understanding of and providing reasoned discourse of religion, spirituality and God or the gods. The origin of the word theology comes from late middle English (originally applying only to Christianity) from French théologie, from Latin theologia, from Greek: theologia, from theos or God or logos, "words", "cause", "sayings," or "discourse" + suffix, "state of", "property of", "place of". It is widely understood to mean literally "the study of God."

Theologians use philosophical analysis and argument to understand, explain, test, critique, defend or promote any of a myriad of religious topics. Theology might be undertaken to help the theologian understand more truly his or her own religious tradition, understand more truly another religious tradition, make comparisons between religious traditions, defend a religious tradition, facilitate reform of a particular tradition, assist in the propagation of a religious tradition, or draw on the resources of a tradition to address some present situation or need, or for a variety of other reasons.

The word 'theology' has classical Greek origins, but was slowly given new senses when it was taken up in both Greek and Latin forms by Christian authors. It is the subsequent history of the term in Christian contexts, particularly in the Latin West, that lies behind most contemporary usage, but the term can now be used to speak of reasoned discourse within and about a variety of different religious traditions. Various aspects both of the process by which the discipline of ‘theology’ emerged in Christianity and the process by which the term was extended to other religions are highly controversial.


Why Do Christians Hold Such Different Interpretations of the Same Bible Text?

Same Verse, Different Interpretations
It is amazing how one given Bible verse can be interpreted so many different ways. There are, of course, examples of Biblical text that can be interpreted different ways, and be justified in doing so. God's word is unique in this way. Sometimes, Biblical text is dynamic in its meaning and implications. However, most of the time, when a verse of Scripture is interpreted in different ways, it is usually because there is a bias from a presupposition already held that the reader tries to apply to a verse to confirm his own belief. There is always a comfort in finding validation to what we believe to be true, especially when it comes from Scripture. The danger, however, is always that our bias and/or presuppositions will influence our interpretation of Scripture, rather than allowing the Scriptures to influence our bias and/or presuppositions.

Presuppositions + Bias = Interpretations and Beliefs
If Christians were always Spirit-led, being totally in tune with the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit, I am convinced that there would be only one correct interpretation of any given scripture and total consensus among Sprit-led Christians as to it's meaning. It is therefore obvious that some of the different beliefs, views, and interpretations that we hold of the same Scripture, are the result of presuppositions and bias that already exists somewhere, contrary to a Spirit-led and correct biblical interpretation.

The reasons we tend to have presuppositions are (1) because we trusted someone who persuaded us to believe what they believe, (2) it brings some comfort to believe a certain way, (3) we align ourselves with secular humanistic value systems of logic or reason based more on philosophical assumptions rather than in taking the Scriptures at face value, (4) Pride—The unwillingness to admit that maybe we are wrong, or, (5) some or all of the above.

The reasons we tend to be biased are (1) because we have presuppositions, and/or (2) we hold self-interest above the interests of God or others.

We all have a reason for what we believe to be truth, as revealed by the Scriptures. I hope and pray that the way that we interpret the Scriptures is consistent with the Scriptures themselves and based on the Sprit's leading, resulting in good Biblical exegesis, rather than in personal preference, based on what we want to believe. We do not have that luxury.