Armchair Theologians

The new Barna report has, spotted a trend which, to me, has been a long-time coming:

Growing numbers of people now serve as their own theologian-in-residence

With people spending less time reading the Bible, and becoming less engaged in activities that deepen their biblical literacy, faith views are more often adopted on the basis of dialogue, self-reflection, and observation than teaching. Feelings and emotions now play a significant role in the development of people’s faith views – in many cases, much more significant than information-based exercises such as listening to preaching and participating in Bible study.

I think this is a scary development. At this point I would classify myself as some-what armchair, but at least educated in the methods, classifications, and topics of the guild. Just this year I went to SBL in Boston and felt right at home.

But the scary part is both individual people and leadership figures are standing up, making truth claims, and interpretations without proper education. Even some educational institutes, I would classify, as woefully lacking and in the business of creating armchair theologians with a shiny diploma.

All the more important to deal directly with the evidence. Hard theories that can be falsified. Not rhetoric and strawmen. Hopefully I can get myself out of the somewhat armchair situation I find myself in, with a dull diploma from a respected age old school. Then you are allowed to step on the field and play in the game.