theLAB

The Logos Academic Blog

The Spiritual Discipline of Reading Your Theological Dissidents

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Years ago, The Atlantic had an article entitled, “Study Theology, Even If You Don’t Believe in God.” The author of the article (Tara Isabella Burton) is a Clarendon Scholar at Trinity College, Oxford, where she is working on a doctorate in theology and literature. In this piece, she talks about studying theology as a secularist.

While reading, I was immediately drawn into thinking about my own theological education in various schools in the States and the UK that confessionally are very broad. As well, my pastoral ministry sparked many thoughts reading this, as a member of clergy for over two decades in a theologically minimalist denomination embedded in a complex urban center (Los Angeles, California) that is filled with many traditions, ideas, dogmas and questions. I thought, “If a nonbeliever can study theology, certainly believers should be studying theology with folks of different theologies.”

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The Model Scholar: Bernard of Clairvaux

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by Greg Peters | Associate Professor of Medieval and Spiritual Theology, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University

As a scholar of monasticism it seems to me that what roots biblical scholarship is rootedness in the text in such a way that it becomes one’s language of prayer and meditation. In this regard I would suggest that Bernard of Clairvaux (d. 1153) is a good model. Let me explain why.

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Larry Hurtado was my Mentor: A Eulogy

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by Mark Zhakevich | The Master’s Seminary and University

As I reflect on the life of my Doktorvater, Professor Larry Hurtado, a fitting description for his legacy is Pastor-Scholar. Before Professor Hurtado became a renowned New Testament scholar, he was a pastor.

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Brian Rosner on “What Makes a Good Biblical Scholar?”

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What makes a good biblical scholar? Lots of things, many of which have to do with self-awareness.  In no particular order:

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Lucy Peppiatt on “What Makes a Good Theologian?”

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There are a number of ways of answering this question. I see the task of a biblical scholar as different from a systematic theologian, but as systematic theologians are taken up with reflection on the doctrine of God, this can’t be done without a deep engagement with scripture.

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Gavin Ortlund on “What makes a good Biblical Scholar or Theologian?”

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“What makes a good theologian or biblical scholar?” Many things could be said about this question, involving a range of both academic and personal qualifications. Here I’ll just offer a few suggestions—this is by no means an exhaustive list, and I should mention up front that these values assume a level of Christian commitment.

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The Interdisciplinary Scholar

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by Chris Porter

Coming to biblical studies from prior research in the social sciences I am often asked what makes for good interdisciplinary research. While a valid question, I think the more interesting question is what makes a good interdisciplinary researcher. Here I will try to answer a modest version, what makes for a reasonable interdisciplinary scholar.

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Jill Firth on “What makes a good Biblical Scholar or Theologian?”

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A good biblical theologian pays attention to what God actually says, like the prophetess Huldah (and unlike Eve).

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Amy Peeler on “What makes a good Biblical Scholar?”

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What makes a good Biblical Scholar? Passion for the subject. If you are going to inspire from the lectern or the pulpit or with the pen, you have to love what you are talking about.

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