Theology

Introduction

Theology is the study of religion which aims at giving believers an inner understanding of the religion. In so doing, believers can be able to understand how to best praise God, and to do according to the will of God. In addition, theology also provides Christians with proper ways of relating with each other, and how to conduct themselves in their daily lives. In order to provide a broad understanding of theology, this paper will explain the role of reason within theology as it seeks to deepen its understanding of the mysteries of faith.    

Theology is a science which majorly concentrates on religious studies and beliefs and practices. It consequently attempts in aiding believers in understanding God better (Geertz, 43). Through studying theology, believers are able to understand the dictates of the bible, and what they are supposed to do in order to remain loyal, to the word (Smith, 15). Theology, being a science provides different methods of making believers to understand the dictates of the religion, and this is usually through illustrations hence making it easier for them to easily understand the essence of faith.

Theology provides the basic rules and principles of the religion, which is necessary for the believers to understand in order to be able to interpret the word of God in the best way. This is usually because, the word of God is usually written in parabolic form, thus making it hard to interpret without having basic theological knowledge of the bible (Jensen, 23). Through understanding the rules and principles of the religion, one is able to understand the parables and proverbs provided in the bible, hence being able to easily understand how to interpret the bible (Geertz, 43).

Theology is responsible for changing the reasoning of a human being, thus transforming it into spiritual reasoning. Spiritual reasoning allows a believer to be able to reason differently, thus being able to maintain a different faith in God (Smith, 17). Theological thinking is more like biblical thinking, which allows s believer have faith in God, in the word of God, and to also live a life trusting in the lord. Faith is the power to believe what you have reason to think is true. In order to have faith in God, the reasoning of a human is supposed to be changed, and this can only be done through theology. This is basically because theology opens the mind of a believer, thus changing the biblical understanding of the person, a move which makes the person reason differently (Geertz, 44).

Theology plays a very critical role in making the believers to understand what God wants them to do (Geertz, 46). In so doing, it enables them to be able to know their roles as Christians both in the church and in the market place. In addition, it enables them to be able to relate with people from different walks of life, a move which allows proper relationships between people from different parts of the world (Jensen, 25).   

Reason is used in the development of theology in different ways, because reason allows us to be able to connect the ideas which we find in the scripture, hence being able to complete ideas which might not be found in the scriptures (Jensen, 25). Reason therefore explains why we consequently why people make certain conclusions regarding God, thus allowing them to have faith, or to even believe what the scriptures provide (Smith, 19). The main role of reason within theology is therefore to open up the inner understanding of a person, thus making it easier to broaden his or her understanding of the God, according to the dictates of the scriptures. In so doing, believers get to know how to conduct themselves, and the reasons as to why they should have faith in the God which they believe in.

Reason is more like an exercise in discovery, thus reason in theology provides ways through which believers can be able to internalize and understand the way the scripture portrays different rules and laws (Geertz, 48). In so doing, believers are able to easily comprehend the scriptures, hence having faith in God, a move which makes it easier for them to be able to carry on with their own lives. furthermore, through having a theological reasoning, believers are able to easily read and understand the scriptures, hence being able to develop a theological reasoning and mentality which makes it easier for them to know how to grow spiritually and in the lord, a move which makes it easier for them to be able to develop a sense of faith, hence being able to have faith in the religion which makes it easier for them to fully follow the dictates of the religion (Smith, 20).    

Reason works to change the understanding of believers, thus allowing them to be able to develop new ways of thinking, thus forgetting their former ways of thinking and reasoning. Theological reasoning is different from that of ordinary reasoning, a factor which makes most believers to develop an understanding of the religion, how God works and how they should be able to follow the teachings of God which are provided in the scriptures (Jensen, 27).

The main aim of theology is to enable believers to understand the religion, without having any doubts. In as much as their might be different forms of religions or theological teachings, theology only provides ways through which believers can broaden their understanding of the religion (Smith, 21). This is consequently done through changing the reasoning of the believers, thus making them to develop theological reasoning, which aims at wiping out their past modes of reasoning, hence allowing them to be able to grow in the religion, thus having a deep understanding of how the religion operates, how God works, how He reaches his people and how God answers the prayers of his followers. Through understanding the way God works, believers become faithful to God, through having faith in Him, and what the scriptures say God will do (Jensen, 28).

Reason and scripture in theology are meant to alter traditions, through changing the beliefs of the believer. Each and every believer tends to have a certain belief, depending on the traditions which surround the person (Jensen, 30). This is a factor which affects the reasoning of the person, since his or her mind and reasoning is usually based on the traditions. In order to change the way the person reasons, theology comes up with scriptures, and a new form of reasoning, which aims at changing the way the person lives, reasons and understands different things. Traditions tend to make people have a different way of reasoning, thus limiting them from being able to understand the religion and to have faith in God. Through scriptures and reason, theology provides new mode of understanding to the believers and nonbelievers, thus making them to believe (Smith, 22).

Reason is the backbone of theology, as it provides nonbelievers with an understanding of the scriptures (Geertz, 50). The reasoning of believers should be inclined with theological teachings, in order to make them to understand the scriptures, hence developing faith. However, of the reasoning of the believers is not inclined on theology, then they will not be able to understand whatever teachings they might be getting, hence they may not develop faith, thus they will not trust in God, a factor which will affect their religious lives (Jensen, 31). Theology must therefore be accompanied by reason, as it allows believers to change their ways of thinking, relating and understanding the religion, hence being able to easily develop faith in God.

Conclusion

This paper has discussed the role of reason within theology in fostering faith and its mysteries. It is evident to state that reason provides believers with an inner understanding of the religion, thus allowing them to be able to easily develop faith in God. The paper has also provided ways through which theology provides ways through which people can be able to interpret and understand the scriptures, hence being able to have faith in the religion and in God. Finally, the paper has critically analysed the basic importance of reason in theology, in explaining the mysteries of faith. In this part, the paper has consequently focused on the way reason changes the actual beliefs of the believers, thus making them to develop new ways of reasoning, a factor which makes it easier for them to be able to live according to the dictates of the scriptures.       

Work Cited

Smith, Amos. Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots. Eugene, Ore: Resource Publications, 2013. Print.

Jensen, Robert. All My Bones Shake: Seeking a Progressive Path to the Prophetic Voice. Brooklyn: Soft Skull Press, 2009. Internet resource.

Geertz, Clifford. The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays. , 2016. Print.

Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. , 2014. Print.

Moran, Gabriel. Believing in a Revealing God: The Basis of the Christian Life. Collegeville, Minn: Liturgical Press, 2009. Internet resource.