This paper offers a close reading of Howard W. Stone and James O. Duke's How to Think Theologically (1996), examining the authors' central argument that theology is not the exclusive domain of clergy or scholars but is practiced by all Christians in daily life. The paper explores key distinctions the text draws between orthodoxy and orthopraxy, the democratic and egalitarian implications of the authors' claims, and their insistence that authentic Christian faith requires a conscious acknowledgment of God in all aspects of life. The paper concludes by reflecting on the text's call for Christians to integrate theological awareness into worship, community, family, and individual action.
The practice of the Christian faith happens in every part of life, whether worshipping in the church, engaging in honest business practice, or holding the door open for a complete stranger. The book by Stone and Duke (1996), entitled How to Think Theologically, argues that these practices of faith are actually theological in nature. We may not always recognize it, but through our faith, we are all theologians. The text encourages us to think more consciously of God and the implications of His role in our faith.
What is immediately most appealing about the Stone and Duke text is the democratic implication of its central claim. Essentially, the text declares theology a subject not exclusive to religious scholars, clergy, or academics. Instead, the authors assert: "we hold a time-honored conviction that when Christians are baptized they enter into a ministry they all share, responding to a God-given call to disclose gospel (God's good news of Jesus Christ) through all they say and do. Their calling makes them witnesses to faith, and hence theologians as well." (p. 1)
This suggests an openness to the discussion of theology that is egalitarian in nature. As such, it reflects the humanist values of Jesus Himself. However, the text notes that we do have a responsibility to uphold in this arrangement.
Stone and Duke make a clear distinction between acting in the Christian spirit without truly committing one's faith and genuine Christian belief. The text refers to the former as orthopraxy — the practice of religion absent any true emotional or intellectual belief. Stone and Duke differentiate this from orthodoxy, in which one professes to adhere to the Christian faith but behaves in decidedly objectionable and unchristian ways. Both, the text argues, are counterintuitive to a true belief in God and Jesus Christ. This is why the incorporation of genuine theological consideration is so important.
According to Stone and Duke, "emphasis on orthopraxy has always been modified by warnings against merely going through the motions that appear truly Christian while covertly, in our heart of hearts, devoting ourselves to someone other than God and something other than God's message." (p. 9)
This distinction points to the overarching premise of the text: that we cannot experience faith without first thinking about, acknowledging, and praising God. God and the concept of God are both inextricable from our Christian identity. The text by Stone and Duke draws perhaps its greatest strength from this point. The authors compel us to reconnect with God and to be aware of Him in our activities as a community, as families, and as individuals. Praise, charity, and selflessness are admirable virtues, but it is when we perform these actions through our trust and faith in God that we truly act as Christians.
"God and the gospel are central to authentic Christian action"
Stone and Duke provide a sense of encouragement and conviction that, as Christians, we cannot help but think of and include God in everything we do.
Stone, Howard W., and James O. Duke. How to Think Theologically. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996. Print.
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