The Marks of a Good Theologian

What makes a theologian any good?

This past week the disturbing news broke that Josh Buice, a Reformed pastor, author and leader of G3 Ministries, has stepped down from all his roles after confessing that he used social media to “publicly and anonymously slander numerous Christian leaders.” Though not widely known outside of Reformed circles, Buice’s actions should remind us that while theological knowledge is indeed admirable, knowledge alone does not ensure godly character. I saw one pastor write on social media that the Reformed movement is plagued by a soft heart for theology and hard heartedness toward fellow labourers. Doctrinal purity alone does not ensure that we express love to others.

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The situation today mirrors, I think, that of the past thirty or so years. Over that time many churches championed developing the leadership ability of pastors in addition to their pastoral duties. Leadership colleges became useful substitutes for seminaries where once could learn how to build and lead a team, develop organisational culture and raise money for building projects. Unfortunately, as we have witnessed in recent years, leadership skills do not necessarily strengthen character, and many pastors have stepped down in tragic circumstances.

Contrast that with today, as we see an exciting surge of interest in historic, orthodox theology - which we should all champion - but unless we understand that the formation of character is equally important, fresh problems will be waiting just over the hill. We need to be raising theologians who are not only doctrinally capable but also formed in the likeness of Christ.

It is important, then, that we consider what the marks of a good theologian are.

I have written before on Karl Barth’s Evangelical Theology: An Introduction. This is, in my opinion, one of the most important books for anyone setting out to learn and practice theology in a more formal sense. Like it or not, theologians - amateur and professional - exist to both challenge and encourage us in our pursuit of Christ. How they go about doing that matters as much as what they’re doing. I am often struck that hard theological challenge is much better received when it comes from a place of evident love, humility and kindness than anger, bitterness or - worse - indifference.

What really makes theology exciting is that the joy lies in the doing of it far more than the outcome. I have spent years studying soteriology - the doctrine of salvation - and while I am very happy with where I have landed, I realise looking back that the journey itself was richer in blessing than arriving at a theological destination. There is something about wrestling with scripture, our traditions and interpretations, about the Holy Spirit illuminating truth that is absolutely priceless. That process - difficult and tiring as it may be - is always of benefit to the believer.

Theology is, therefore, a formative practice - we are shaped not by the outcome, but the process. This formation needs to address our character as much as it does our knowledge.

Turning back to Barth, who identified four none negotiable marks of a true theologian. Writing from and to the evangelical context, he argued that those who go about the business of theology must always display and be marked by the following four principles: