Doing Theology Means Waking Up!

I just started reading “Doing Local Theology: A Guide for Artisans of a New Humanity” by Clemens Sedmak, and from page one I can already tell it’s going to be a great read. The book consists of 50 Theses for Doing Local Theology, in which he looks at the various ways in which local theologies are theologies created not by the educated elite, but by all who speak of God – by people enmeshed in local communities and thinking of God.

I think this would make a good read along with Philip Clayton’s “Transforming Christian Theology” – as they both seem to be making the move of taking theology out of the realms of the ivory towers of the academy and making sure that any good theology has legs – that any good theology IS a practical theology.

I love Sedmak’s very first thesis:

“THESIS 1: Theology is an invitation to wake up: to be mindful and attentive…In fact, being awake in a world full of wonders is the privilege of children. Doing theology in the spirit of children means seeking God in all things, being aware of God’s presence, listening to God’s voice, and being attentive to the signs of the times. We can do that only if we wake up.”

I love that definition of theology because it takes the intrinsic loftiness out of it. Theology isn’t something that comes off as a challenge, something that’s too hard for people of faith to do – but it becomes an invitation. An invitation to wake up – to become aware.

What do you think of this idea of theology as an invitation? Is it missing something?