Young Theologians

Recently, I looked at Adam's bookshelf (very tall, very full, and very intimidating) and asked him to recommend something to me. I haven't enjoyed very much time to read since school started, but I decided that I just needed to make time! So Adam made a few suggestions and I fingered through them for a couple of days before deciding on "A Little Exercise for Young Theologians" by Helmut Thielicke.

Let me preface that I do not claim to be a young theologian... although I'm sure some would argue that all Christians are (in some sense) also theologians. Perhaps I should say that I don't claim to be a young theologian from an academic standpoint. In other words, I'm not taking theology classes and no one is waiting on me to translate Galatians 6. However, my sweet husband is. I chose this book in an effort to understand Adam more and to show my support for his calling. His calling (and as a result, my own calling) is very unique and, as I learned from Thielicke, presents some very unique challenges. I'd like to share with you the two that stood out to me the most.

Thielicke believes in a "theological puberty." He says that because young theologians are learning so much at once, it's almost like buying a young child pants that are two sizes too big. We expect him to grow into them, but we don't expect him to model! Thielicke goes far enough to say that "it is a mistake for anyone who is just in this stage to appear before a church as a teacher... During the period when the voice is changing we do not sing, and during this formative period in the life of the theological student he does not preach" (Thielicke, 12). There are several implications here, but there is one that particularly applies to my every day life - not everything my husband says is gospel. I know that those of you who have been married awhile are thinking "Well DUH!" And believe me, I know that he is not right about everything :) But Adam goes to class, studies the Greek or Hebrew, reads a million books, thinks about all these things, etc, etc. and when he forms an idea about something theological, it's tempting to accept it and move on! Please don't misunderstand, I'm not a pushover. I have plenty of ideas. But the fact remains that this is something that I struggle with and Thielicke seemingly "hit the nail on the head" for how I should think and react to my husband's journey right now.

The second point that struck me from Thielicke's book is that young theologians (and theologians, in general) face very specific temptations as a direct result of their theological journey. It was enlightening to become aware of these temptations and learn a) to support my husband through this struggle and b) to offer consistent grace in these areas.

If you are a young theologian or you happen to love a young theologian, I recommend "A Little Exercise for Young Theologians," by Helmut Thielicke. I think his thoughts will encourage you and perhaps help you understand this journey better!