Theology: More than an academic subject

Catholic theology is the understanding of the teachings and doctrines of the Church and results from the studies of theologians over the centuries. Theology is based on sacred scripture and tradition as interpreted by the magisterium of the Catholic Church. Knowing and understanding Church teachings and being well-versed in catechetics is an essential piece of theology and of being able to communicate the faith to others with eloquence is vitally important. With this said, is theology more than an academic subject?

The importance of knowing the faith

Well-schooled and serious Catholics in recent years have expressed disappointment in downward trends of Mass attendance and of the number of those who have left the faith. The primary reason given by those same people is a lack of catechesis. Catechesis is a ministry of forming disciples of the Church and of real understanding of all its teachings. Knowing our faith is essential, and when we don’t grasp the essential elements, it is true that numbers will drop and so will church attendance and participation in the life of the Church. This is a concern, and it is real. Understanding these given facts are important, but there is much to be said on what authentic “understanding” really means.

Living the faith

Not only must we know the faith, but we must also live it in order to be followers of Jesus and his Church. This may sound simple, but it is true. Far too many people have been pushed through the academic elements of catechetical instruction without understanding how to materialize it. The proof is in the numbers of those who have either left the Church or those who came from Catholic families that did not live it out day to day. Living the faith means not only do we know and understand basic catechetical definitions learned in school or CCD, but we live it out daily. Students are often taught definitions such as what a sacrament is, or love, or holiness, or sanctifying grace, but they have no idea what the definitions really mean in a practical, lived-out way.

A suggestion for theologians

Catholic theologians may have knowledge of all of the teachings of the Church, its doctrines and dogmas and still not fully understand how to live those teachings out to the fullest. The definition of love according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is "to will the good of the other". Holiness is said to be “the outcome of sanctification that Divine act by which God freely justifies us, and by which He has claimed us for His own.” There are many more definitions which are said to be catechetical in nature to describe various aspects of our Catholic faith. As humans, we know that knowing the words on a page and memorizing them does not cause us to be holier or better than anyone else. We must materialize the words we learn and love God and others. Academic snobbery has no place in theology. All persons are invited to the table of the Lord who desire to know, love, and serve Him, not just the well-educated.

Academic theology of the twenty-first century could benefit from exploring these thoughts. The world will not be changed by the recitation of definitions or of obtaining an “A” on a test. It is changed when the words we study become part of our being. Albert Einstein is quoted in saying that “education is not the learning of facts, but in training the mind to think.”  Perhaps this applies not only to education but also to any facet of study, such as theology. Faith which is understood and practiced becomes alive to others and is attractive to those away or new to the faith.

Education and application

Like anything else in life, education is key. Many people are tactile learners meaning learning happens through application. This philosophy can be implemented into all aspects of teaching, preaching, and passing on the faith. Catechesis and knowledge is essential, but living out the definitions we strive to know is where it becomes truly relevant. Theology, is indeed, much more than an academic subject. It is the deposit of faith, and all that we believe as Catholics including imitating Christ and loving others.

Words from Pope Francis on evangelization

Theology and evangelization should go together, although oftentimes not. Pope Francis has words of wisdom for the practice of sharing our faith:

“Consequently, an evangelizer must never look like someone who has just come back from a funeral! Let us recover and deepen our enthusiasm that  delightful and comforting joy of evangelizing, even when it is, in tears that we must sow…And may the world of our time, which is searching, sometimes with anguish, sometimes with hope, be enabled to receive the Good News, not from evangelizers who are dejected, discouraged, impatient, or anxious, but from minsters of the Gospel whose lives glow with fervor, who have first received the joy of Christ.” – Evangelii Gaudium.

Let the words of Pope Francis help us to understand more fully our duty to not only know the faith but to live it to the fullest by our joy and love. Let this love be not only visible through what we know intellectually but more importantly authentically as lovers of Jesus Christ. Let us also pray for God’s guidance when it comes to both knowing, living, and loving our faith each day and moment of our lives.