Theological Puberty

Jonathan Gainey finds a little gem

Review: A Little Exercise for Young Theologians by Helmut Thielicke

Every once in awhile, a book comes along that literally changes a person’s life. Recently that book for me was A Little Exercise for Young Theologians by Helmut Thielicke.

This very small, 41-page book should be read by everyone who goes about the task of theological study. The sins of young students of the Word are brought out so simply and powerfully that one cannot read this book without reflecting on his or her own arrogance as an adventurer of holy writ.

So much of what Theilicke had to say was powerfully accurate. His insights should be considered by everyone who attempts the task of theological education, formally or otherwise. Just about every page of the book has an amount of highlighting, because I could not resist the urge to be able to go back to his thoughts with ease.

The arrogance or “theological puberty” that Thielicke speaks about is deadon with most of us, and few can resist the urge to “wallow in our ownership” of new findings. These are shared with passionate urgency as if all the secrets of the universe have been discovered by the young theologian, and others have been left in the dark.

The temptation to speak down to the congregation rather than speak with them is also a temptation that is sometimes heightened by theological studies.  Pouring out our defense for hymns of old as more theologically stirring and rich as opposed to the simple and shallow words of newer worship music becomes a constant agenda of the learned master of all things God.

As a Salvation Army officer and pastor, I have found myself with the same urges, especially in Sunday school settings, Bible studies and small groups, to correct all those who have not been privy to my level of discovery. I say that with sarcasm. I can go back and almost hear my words sending the message, “Oh ye of simple faith.”

Even the introduction of Thielicke’s book is full of informational wealth. As Martin E. Marty points out, those who study deeply do change their minds about what they believe quite often. This is a healthy sign of a growing Christian, but the one experiencing such a crisis must be patient with those who rarely question anything spiritual. I find myself in this predicament of philosophical transitioning so often that I have wondered if there are any definite truths to be discovered from the biblical text. And then, I realize that I am also guilty of the tendency to read the Scriptures only to discover what can become a sermon.

This book has truly opened my eyes to the dangers of theological adolescence, and I am determined to get this book into more hands, especially those who are called to the task of teaching.

As for my own ministry, I have been made more aware of my task to learn as much from my pastor - the church, as I teach. Although the need for life-long learning is a given, I realize that there will be times when the learning that I am able to glean from the most humble of theologians may very well contain the richest, life-giving instructions of my life.

As Thielicke so wisely states, “Even an orthodox theologian can be spiritually dead, while perhaps a heretic crawls on forbidden bypaths to the sources of life” (Thielicke, 37).

Writer: Capt. Jonathan Gainey was born in Jacksonville, FL in June, 1969. He has been married to Staci, the daughter of retired Salvation Army officers, for twenty years and they have four children ages 18, 16, 12, and 4. Jonathan was commissioned as an officer in June of 2002, and is currently serving in his third appointment in New Bern, NC, USA. He is working on a Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is the creator and manager of the Flocks Diner website, where his passion for learning and teaching is expressed and shared through writing and a weekly podcast.

3 Comments to Theological Puberty

1. Well, you’ve sold it to me! The gems you’ve brought out of this book – with honest eloquence – speak potently to me. I can’t help but see myself in that evocative category of “theological pubescence”. Thank you so much for this Johnny.

   Marty’s observation that “those who study deeply do change their minds about what they believe quite often” has long intrigued me. Does this call into question the legitimacy of committing, for life in covenant, to articles of faith – truth claims? Does the officer’s covenant in particular imply the end of enquiry, forcing many thoughtful officers in later life into private conflict between unchanging covenant and changing conviction?

   (ED - This is the 3000th comment on the Rubicon site! Keep them coming folks)
Matt Clifton on August 7th, 2009

2. Matt,

   As I dive deeper into study, I often feel like the person who has lived to be 100-years-old and rarely has anyone who is where he or she is in life. The Army is a powerful force for the Kingdom, if only because it empowers the uneducated to do ministry where most other denominations require a Masters degree.

   With that said, I also see exactly what you are questioning in the way of officers who take on the challenge of deeper study beginning to question their “committed” beliefs.

   The challenge for the one who is maturing in their faith, even beyond denominational orthodoxy (doctrines) must find a way to grow without disturbing the fundamentalists of our higher leadership. That is a challenge for many, and those who question can be viewed as heretics or trouble-makers, if they don’t approach their changing philosophies with care and respect for those who are threatened by such changes.

   It is my experience that most Salvation Army leadership does not encourage such growth and are threatened by it, but there are those who are enthusiastic about theological challenges and a growing theological development within the ranks.

   To answer your final question, I’m sure that it is the case that some officers are forced into such private conflicts between the unchanging covenant and their changing convictions.
Johnny Gainey on August 7th, 2009

3. Johnny and Matt,

   I certainly agree that knowing something of our Triune God, and growing in that knowledge of His works, His will and His ways through studying His Word is certainly an amazing privilege - one that should keep us humble and ever willing to keep growing in our understanding and appreciation of our amazing and gracious God.

   Regarding the observation that, ‘those who study deeply do change their minds about what they believe quite often’, one of the things I’ve found quite interesting from my own experience and reading various authors is that the changes do not occur just in one direction. So Calvinists can become Arminians, and Arminians can become Calvinist; Cessationists can become Charismatics, and Charismatics can become Cessationists; and so on.

   This suggests to me that there is something of value to be learnt from all theological positions which are seriously trying to understand and express the teachings of Scripture.

   How one handles the outworking of changing one’s theological views, particularly if they move beyond one’s denominational statements can, I think, only be resolved between the individual and their Lord.

   Regards.

   Bernard
Bernard Martin on August 8th, 2009

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