MATL - The Nature of Theological Questions

Prompt: Which questions would say are theological and which are not? How would you identify what you consider to be a theological question? Does the question need to inquire into the divine nature to be theological? For example, would a question regarding the nature of the human person be theological? If so, why? If not, why not?

Alister McGrath writes that theology is "think(ing) systematically about the fundamental ideas of Christianity.  It is intellectual reflection on the act, content, and implications of the Christian faith."   Asking theological questions, then, means asking questions that seek to increase the understanding of a particular aspect of a Christian faith, and to increase understanding about why Christian faiths embrace certain ideas. [1]   McGrath also emphasizes, in summarizing Augustine of Hippo's major contribution to theology, that reason is a helpful tool in theology, but must be used critically.  This refers to critical thinking, rather than criticism of the material. Critically evaluating divine revelations (using human reason, to paraphrase Thomas Aquinas) means exploring and expanding on the revelation in a way that solves a problem, answers a question, or contributes to the larger field of theology in a substantial and meaningful way. 

Critical thinking encourages students to ask meaningful questions designed to resolve problems, regardless of their discipline.[2] When applied to theology, this means good theological questions are asked with a clear purpose or intent. It is not sufficient to explore an idea 'just because' it sounds interesting or challenging to the questioner- rather, it should serve a higher purpose  in contributing to the overall clarity or applicability of a faith- it may contribute to or challenge doctrine. In Christian theology, then, theological questions should contribute to a deeper and more profound understanding of what it is to be Christian, and why.  To again draw from McGrath's works, if the Apostle's Creed is a useful vehicle for outlining the major tenants of Christianity, good theological questions likely explore the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, or some combination thereof. This may include topics of grace, of holy unity, of the trinity, or the applicability of these mysteries into the lives of humans. 

In accepting the Christian belief that God is the Creator of all things, it is impossible to ask theological questions that do not inquire into the divine. God is in all things, therefore all questions can, ultimately, be theological. The intent and purpose of the questioner determines whether or not the answer to the question is explored within the framework of theology or another discipline, but the lack of theological exploration does not negate its existence- it may simply be left for another questioner to explore.

1. (McGrath, Alister E. Theology: The Basics. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2004, preface, page xii)

2. Problem, as used here, may mean conflict or issue, but may also mean topic, questions of a profound nature, puzzle or intellectual quandary, or a divine mystery.  Problems are troublesome and disruptive, even if just to the emotional state of the thinker.