Fearless theology in polarized times: A plea for bold theology

Analysts across the spectrum agree: all over the world polarization is rising, both politically and socially. You are either with us or against us. If two persons disagree on anything, they belong to different “camps”. Everyone quickly gets a label, and often it is not a positive one.

The same unfortunately happens within churches and within the field of theology all around the world.

We abound in unhelpful categories. Orthodox and liberal, conservative and progressive, those who accept the authority of Scripture and those who don’t. I guess almost everyone working in the church has used some of those labels or has been labeled with them.

Depending on where we are located in the worldwide church and what the most pressing issues are in that context, the polarization can focus on different topics.

The focus can be on developments in the Middle East and whether we are Zionist or antisemitic. Or whether or not we accept female leadership in our churches. How we think about creation in light of Genesis and modern evolutionary theory.

Many divisions nowadays are based on differences of opinion on gender and sexuality. In some places divisions within the church follow wider political divisions within society.

There is no shortage of “hot topics” that cause polarization and division in our churches.

One major result of this polarization within the church is fear. Fear that, if we honestly express our theological convictions or even our questions, we will lose trust and be judged.

Fear that we will be ridiculed because of our outdated, conservative theological convictions. Fear that we will be labeled liberals because we no longer agree with some convictions in our church tradition.

Fear that we will no longer be taken seriously by the people we are trying to serve.

In light of all these burning issues and the polarizations they cause, the temptation never to speak out is real. I am afraid many pastors, theologians, and even institutions experience the tension. I, myself, most definitely do.

But the question is: Is hiding our convictions the best response to polarization? Is it what the church needs? Is it what we are called to as servants of God in the church?

I am increasingly becoming convinced the answer is no. Especially in times of polarization, the church needs fearless, bold theology.

But that statement needs explanation. What do I mean by fearless, bold theology? Let me first state what I do not mean.

Bold theology is not the kind of theology that necessarily takes a stance towards the extremes of the spectrum on any issue. As I have argued before, neglecting complexity on theological issues is never a solution. 

Most theological issues are not as black and white as they are portrayed in the polarized debates.

When I speak about bold theology, I am not talking about theology that increases the polarization and pours oil on the fire. Bold theology is not necessarily outspoken, loud theology.

Let me try to explain what I mean by bold theology in five brief statements.

1. Bold theology adopts the posture of a conversation partner, not a debater or judge. Being a good conversation partner requires at least three things: respect for the other person or persons that take part in the conversation; real curiosity that is interested not only in their “views” but also in the underlying arguments and motives; and having one’s own robust theological perspective.

This last element might be the most surprising. We cannot be good conversation partners if we do not bring in our own opinions and convictions.

That is one of the problems with fearful theology: We cannot expect to have real theological conversations if we are hesitant to voice our own convictions. The other deserves something to relate to.

2. Bold theology is open to challenge and change. In its posture as a conversation partner and its emphasis on the dialogical nature of theology, bold theology can never be fixed theology.

When we encounter good arguments, receive critical pushback, or come across fresh perspectives, we should welcome these as opportunities for growth. Changing our convictions, even when these are theological convictions, is not a sign of weakness but of strength. The experience is not necessarily easy, but in the end we will be enriched by it.

3. Bold theology does not suspend judgment indefinitely. I previously emphasized the importance of recognizing complexity. But recognizing complexity has one important pitfall: we might tend to suspend judgment on important topics because they are so incredibly complex.

This is something we have heard a lot over the last two years especially. One thing that is always said in conversations about the situation in the Middle East is that it is so incredibly complex. And it is, no doubt about that.

But the moment we hide behind that complexity and are not willing to take a stand on issues of truth and justice, fear is crippling our theological witness. Like in life, in theology we often have to make decisions based on a limited understanding.

Many of our convictions are necessarily provisional. But going without convictions is not an option.

4. Bold theology is comfortable with taking middle positions. The previous point about taking a stance does not mean we necessarily end up in the extremes of the spectrum. In times of polarization, the most courageous position is often taking a middle position.

The middle position risks to be critiqued from two sides by trying to understand and do justice to both. But what both society and church need most in times of polarization are people who have that courage.

The courage to see that not everything is black and white, that often there are good arguments for various positions, that differences of opinion are not always problematic, and that we are not all enemies or threats.

5. Finally, bold theology is Spirited theology. It is not detached and dry theology, but warm-blooded, confessional in nature.

It is aware that any healthy theology and any fruitful ministry require the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit that empowers and emboldens. The Spirit that leads into all truth and at the same time teaches humility (John 16, Gal. 5). The Spirit that sanctifies us, not least on the level of our thinking.

Sanctification is often treated in terms of overcoming sinful actions. But it should also include overcoming wrong thoughts. Because bold theology acknowledges its own limitations and welcomes the sanctifying work of the Spirit, it cannot be surprised if it has to change its convictions and arguments from time to time.

In a polarized world and a polarized church, we need bold theologians. I hope and pray our ministry at ABTS will contribute to this. And I hope the church will give its young people the space to experiment, ask, and change without immediately suspecting or alienizing them.

We need a bold church in order to train bold theologians.

Kees van der Knijff is assistant professor of systematic theology at ABTS and Graduate Programs Lead.

This article was first published on the blog of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (Lebanon) and re-published with permission.