Post by Admin on Mar 11, 2016 13:55:06 GMT
The end of Systematic Theology II Module famously asks the question “Am I a Theologian now?” Here is a short answer…yes you are. Everyone of us is a theologian. Even an atheist is a theologian. The little old lady living down the street is a theologian. The ten year old asking questions is a theologian. Why is that? Because everyone of one us has thoughts and ideas of God. Everyone of us has thoughts and ideas on how those things effect our lives. That makes us all theologians.
The thing that separates us in this class from the little old lady down the street is simple. And profound at the same time. We are actively thinking about and ordering our thoughts about God and the Christian life. So in that sense as you progress through this Couse of Study, you already are and are becoming even more of a theologian.
Theology can be defined as: A religious belief system about God or ultimate reality. Theology commonly refers to the ordered, systematic study or interpretation of the Christian faith and experience of God based on God’s divine self-revelation. Theology also seeks to apply these truths to the full breadth of human experience and thought.1So with this definition, every time you write a paper or preach or defend the Faith, you are a theologian.
With that in mind I would like to make a recommendation. Read, read, read, and when you are done reading, read some more. Obviously, somewhere along the line, you will preach and teach, but it starts in a place of expanding how and why you speak about God. I can hear some of you saying, “That is easy for you Jason. You have all the books and the resources” Which brings me to the whole point of this post.
There are three great free resources and one that is not cheap – but is worth every penny. Each of these have their pluses and their minuses. You have to figure that out for you. I am here to help, I have used all four. Well enough talk…
The first is a program named Wordsearch. It is available here. Not my personal favorite, of the three free programs it comes in third.
The second free program is named Olive Tree. It is available here. I used this one for several years.
The third, and best of the free programs, is eSword. It is available here. I used eSword in conjunction with Olive Tree for a long time. The one problem with eSword, and for me it is a big one, is that the notes taken one computer do not sync across to a different computer or worse across to my tablet or phone. So eSword has more resources, but Olive Tree is somewhat more mobile.
All three have tons of free books. All three have great Greek and Hebrew resources. All three have great scholarly and devotional books. And all three have apps for both iOS and Android.
But if you want to drive the Mercedes-Benz of bible software, you have to check out Logos Bible Software. Here is that link. Logos has free books, but you have to pay for the software to begin with. But the search capabilities are off the chart. As are the language resources. However, buying books for Logos is like buying hardback books pricewise. However, the apps for Logos are fully functioning, with almost the same capabilities as the desktop version. I own Logos and many of the resources that we are using in this Course of Study are taken from Logos.
If you have any questions about any of these programs, please email or call. I have all four on my computers. I want you to succed at ministry. This is a great place to start. This is the foundation for everything else.
1. Grenz, Stanley et al. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. InterVarsity Press. Downer’s Grove. 1999
