The Consolations of Theology - A Reflection

I've just started reading this book called the Consolations of Theology edited by Brian S. Rosner. I'm only half way through, but so far, it has proven to be a great read!

It's interesting how this book works, it's kind of like biography mixed in with theology. It focuses on six different emotional problems we have as humans and match them with six historical church figures. And each chapter is written by a person who is sort of an expert in that field. I'll list the topics:

LACTANTIUS on Anger - by Richard Gibson

AUGUSTINE on Obsession - by Andrew Cameron

LUTHER on Despair - by Mark D. Thompson

KIERKEGAARD on Anxiety - by Peter G. Bolt

BONHOEFFER on Disappointment - by Brian S. Rosner

C. S. LEWIS on Pain - by Robert Banks

It has been a good read because usually when I think of theology, it's about knowing stuff about God; it's merely intellectual. But this book has been a real eye opener for me in terms of the practicality of theology, it really changes lives!

I was really inspired by what Luther said about theology, "It is not understanding, reading or speculation, but living, no dying and being damned that make a theologian." I lot of the time when I think of theology, there are so many things that I just speculate. I'm not saying that thinking about the things of God and speculating what he is or what he says is bad, in fact I think it's good to think about the things of God often so that our minds will be filled with the knowledge that God has given us through the revelation of his word. I think speculating on particular doctrines or theology is helpful on the person thinking about it but not so much to his/her neighbours. Like John Piper said, "It's not about what you can or cannot do. It's about 'What you do, does it glorify God?'" Of course thinking about theology glorifies God, but what is more glorifying is telling other people about Jesus; telling people the visible and manifest things of God through suffering and the cross.

And this is why this book is so wonderful, in each chapter; it ultimately points the reader back to the cross. It’s saying to you that in your anger; obsession; despair; anxiousness; disappointment or pain, go back to the cross, see what has God done for you; give these trouble to the one who hears your pain and saves.

I was also very very encouraged by the chapter on Bonhoeffer on Disappointment. This is what is said about Bonhoeffer, "He holds things together that others mistakenly assume to be mutually exclusive. He believes in both divine sovereignty and responsible action, both bold deeds and gracious forgiveness; both caring deeply and not despairing, both loving this world and eagerly anticipating the next." How often does the devil tempt us and say that there is no need for us to work hard for the Lord because he's doing everything already? We forget that "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." And how often when we are tempted to just dislodge ourselves from this world because of the world to come? We have to remember that though we are no from this world, we are a part of it now. And as Bonhoffer said, "[it is] only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith."