Trevor Hart relates the deferent ideologies of realism, relativism, and objectivism to develop different forms of reasoning about the ideologies that Christianity is faced with when it comes to theology. Theology as a study goes beyond faith and religious understanding and focusses on developing an understanding of different ideas. The approaches Trevor proposes are mainly centered on narrowing down to developing a descriptive understanding of theology. Faith, in this case, extends to the development of the concept of faith seeking understanding. Trevor develops a theory that advises that theology is developing a logical understanding of faith and the issues that a person is facing in life. The issues of objectivism and relativism are addressed in the book which provides a succinct understanding of the issues a person is facing and the varied challenges that arise from understanding the concept of theology. Through the book, the author breaks down the concept of theology to outline what it is all about. In the process, the author dispels assumptions that have long defined theology as a mere exploration of faith. Through the reading one may decipher the meaning of theology and why it is detrimental for a theology student to withdraw himself from the values that affect society.
Trevor explains objectivism as an issue that draws an understanding that lacks logic and is far-fetched from the main concept. Understanding theology as he puts it requires one to be withdrawn from objectivism and assumptions that come with it so as to develop a critical explanation based on facts. Faith is a normative concept whose understanding varies based on the differences in reasoning and the ideas that one puts across. The study of theology strives to explain different values and beliefs such as religion and the faith that people have. The concept attempts to break down different issues so as to create an understanding of the main issues presented. The focus of objectivism is a misguided approach that may influence findings based on the idea that one may lack the adequate theory to justify a certain phenomenon. The author uses the concept as a means to discourage theology students from developing their own independent understanding of issues.
We can do it today.
Realism talks about facing facts and issues as presented in modernity. Realism builds an understanding of logic and motive behind a certain issue. Whereas the author suggests that the concept is applicable and justifiable in understanding religion there are little suggestions that front is a preferred analogy. Theology as a tool for understanding faith seeks to find answers and reasoning as to why people do certain things in life. The approach is weak because in its attempt to justify faith and the actions of people it is difficult to equate religious beliefs to the actions so as to validate the theory of realism. Realism may compromise ones understanding into making it seem like a person has a misguided opinion or approach that may not be justifiable.
The ideal approach to knowledge in the post modernity era of 1940 to the present age is the use of realism. The reason is because it supports the aspect of realism and help to draw examples that are relative to modern contexts which makes it easy to handle and communicate a certain message. Theological reasoning and faith thinking would however be appropriate through engaging the use of the AD 1600 to 1940 era because through its use it is possible to draw numerous contextual issues for easy understanding and issues that relate to the society. The use of the era also is effecting in understanding origin and context.
Relativism, on the other hand, as the author puts it appears to be the ideal choice for developing a relationship between theology and faith. Relativism as a theory is drawn from the idea of relating different concepts as a means to equate and develop the ideal understanding of different issues and concepts. The idea of relativism talks about the subject of drawing an understanding of faith while focusing on theological teachings. For one to understand faith it is imperative to relate the faith and beliefs to common concepts in life so as to understand the guiding factors that may make a person to do a certain thing. Needless as it is to say the person should attempt to justify the faith through a factual way that makes an issue to be easily comprehensible. The person should take the approach of comparing the idea or phenomenon with a modernized example to open up one’s reasoning and explanation.
Overall, the author’s ideas about theology and his overall understanding as presented in the book offer a detailed explanation of how the concept is deeper and detailed as opposed to the overall understanding. The paper justified the norms that theology should engage the use relativism and objectivism is explaining concepts to do with modern Christianity rather than embrace realism. Relativism, as discussed in the book, appears to be an ideal approach that validates different concepts and grants reasoning to the ideas presented. The book and its approach develop a rationale that eviscerates the concept of faith thinking and instead elevates the idea of theological reasoning. Theological reasoning as fronted by the author develops meaning to the approach that the author engages in the book. The presentation of different ideas in the book highlights the value and need to form a logical reasoning to support the ideas that one puts across. The main purpose of theology as discussed in the paper is to provide an understanding of an issue or a certain approach in life. All in all, theology goes beyond the understanding of religion to create a comprehensive pathway towards understanding an issue or idea.
- Hart, Trevor A. Faith Thinking: The Dynamics of Christian Theology. Eugene, Or. Wipf & Stock, 2005.