wfn.org | ACNS - Theology? What can that do for me?

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 3862     |     ACO     |	  30 JULY 2004

Theology? What can that do for me?

In the face of world poverty, terrorism, disease, warfare and so much else 
to attract attention and concern, why should theological education be a 
priority? How can it help us change the world? "I don't think reflection is 
ever a luxury or an optional extra - it's part of being human, of being a 
Christian human being and what distinctive perspective Christianity brings 
to the human condition." Those are words of the Most Revd Rowan Williams, 
the Archbishop of Canterbury, on the priority which Anglican Christians 
should give to theological education.

The problem which the worldwide Anglican community generally faces today is 
not a lack of specialists in theology but not enough practical expression 
of theological education in every area of Church life. One of the 
difficulties is the need for better theological understanding 'in the pew', 
that is, among Christians who occupy the most important role in the Church, 
that of faithful, baptized disciples. A generally low level of biblical and 
theological awareness among disciples of Christ is the root of the problem.

But that works its way through to others in the Church - to lay leaders, 
deacons, priests and bishops. Simply because these may have had some formal 
theological education does not guarantee that they are able to think 
theologically or, as the old Prayer Book puts it, 'Christianly'.

In 2002, the meeting of Anglican archbishops and presiding bishops - the 
'Primates' - set up a working party on theological education: Theological 
Education for the Anglican Communion (TEAC).

TEAC has set up a number of specialist groups to investigate what is and is 
not being done to help Anglican disciples and the various ministers of the 
Church with their understanding and practice of theology - 'God talk'. 
Alongside this is a study of what it means to be an Anglican, to follow 
'the Anglican Way', which emphasises the importance of theology in practice 
- liturgy, hymnody and meeting the challenges of daily Christian living.

TEAC is chaired by the Primate of the Southern Cone of South America, the 
Most Revd Gregory Venables; its secretary is the Revd Robert Paterson from 
the Church in Wales; and its co-ordinator is Clare Amos from the Anglican 
Communion Office. More than forty specialists from across the world are 
associated with TEAC and met for a week in Bristol, England during June 
2004. At that meeting, they were addressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury 
in a pre-recorded interview, which is available for #10.00 or $20 from 
Clare Amos at the Anglican Communion Office. Our aim is "Anglican 
Christians who know what they believe and why they believe; who are able to 
make connections between bits of their faith" - knowing how to make 
connections between faith and life.

For more information about the work of TEAC please contact the 
co-ordinator, Clare Amos at clare.amos@anglicancommunion.org

See also the TEAC website at www.anglicancommunion.org/teac

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