Practical Theology

THURS., JAN. 3, 1991, 6:56 AM
EDEN SEMINARY, ST. LOUIS

Perhaps, before you leave this place, you will ask the hostess her concept of practical theology as a discipline and as an area of teaching. However, you are up in sufficient time to hear some words from Me, the Holy Spirit, about this aspect of theology. It could be that you will finish this after some conversation with My servant Marilyn. Sometimes a “continued Teaching” is worthwhile.

Practical theology is the study and the practice of how God, the Triune God of which I am a part, acts in this world with its present people. It is not concerned with ultimate causes or with fundamental nature. It is concerned with My actions, reactions, and influences in the everyday world. When you relate to these people and to other new folks you will meet today you shall show forth the Christ spirit in some ways… and you will feel it coming forth from others.

For I work in the earth in myriad ways. One of these, importantly, is through the spirits of persons, some of whom are Christians and some not. When Deb spoke of events in her life, working in Africa and Latin America, you heard some expression of practical theology. She was a means by which some ate better and lived a bit better, and she also learned some lessons about life from people with nothing in the way of goods. A life of such service that benefits others and doesn’t enrich you financially is practical theology at its best.

You offer a prayer as your plane rises into the morning air (hopefully). You assume that I can influence this aircraft and its pilots. I tell you that I do not do such routinely, but it is quite practical for Me to influence in some way so that the flight of an airplane appears to be routine. You have no way of knowing when this occurs, so offer your prayer, and if the plane proceeds normally just assume I have responded.

You are little involved in politics except in an “armchair” fashion. Your personality and style are not compatible with the rough and tumble of practical politics. Yet this is an arena of practical theology. To influence legislation for the good of people or against some statute that could bring harm is acting in My place in the “real” world. Just going to the prison, as Ted does, and talking with those sentenced for crimes, is practical theology, for there am I, as a helping servant among those who need human contact… and love. (Now you may stop, and see what you hear a bit later.)

( 7:23 AM / 9:42 AM )

Marilyn suggested the building of community as an important facet of practical theology. Community is a vital aspect of human life, and in cultures where it is not “automatic” or easy its building and nurturing becomes an opportunity for and a challenge to Christian faith. You rather easily became part of an ad hoc community last evening and this morning, but you could see how Alain had a more difficult time because of his language deficiency. You can anticipate this as you move into this adventure. You shall feel excluded because you do not speak or understand Spanish well. This is partly reality and partly your own perception and reaction. With some effort you can be part of community through association with sounds, inflections, looks, and other means of expression. Do not exclude yourself unnecessarily.

Practical theology almost demands a both/and model of thinking. You know that I am with you here in this airport, but I still am in the home you just left and on the Farm with Lenore. More importantly, I can be on both sides of an issue or a confrontation. Rarely is a situation so blatant that I have no relations with those on the “bad” side. You depart tomorrow for a country that has been portrayed as “bad,” with a leader whose actions have been harmful to some. You are now seeing him as one in favor of justice and equality, but know also that those who have fled and oppose him are also children of Mine. It is a complex world over which I “rule.”