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The New American Webster Handy College Dictionary says
theology is the systematic study of God.
" Members of the United Church believe in a wide
theological spectrum. ...... In Thinking About God Dorothee Solle
describes three general streams of theology: orthodox, liberal, and
liberationist. People in each of these theological streams value different
styles and dimensions of worship. The intention of this chapter is not to be
comprehensive or to encourage stereotyping of people, but to invite liturgical
planners and leaders to consider some of the range of theological perspectives
in any congregation of the United Church."
"The United Church of Canada has traditionally been a
liberal or main line church. This has been its strength. The
central theological premise for liberals is that all individuals are equal
before God and all have equal access to slavation through Jesus Christ. .......
theologically, each person is entitled to a place in God's household.Liberty
another hallmark of liberalism, means all people hav freedom to move in systems
and to participate fully in them. The principle of equality means that all are
equal under the law and in God's sight."
Charlotte says that within this view community is valued,
but communites are assumed to be homogenous and conflict is seen as destructive
to community life. Mary Jo Leddy describes an implication of this view of
community for liberal churches:
This liberal sense of belonging is usually sustained by a
vague ehtos or spirit, by memories of a shared
history, ...................Liberal communities are held together by an
agreement, stated or unstated, to do the minimum together. Soon the minimum
seems to be the normal requirement of belonging to a religios
community."
Charlotte says the strength of this liberal position grows
from its potential for belonging. Its weakness shows up when no one takes a
stance because it might offend someone else. Liberalsim assumes its views are
universal. Liberal churches like to see themselves as open to all and welcoming
everyone. Liberals are uncomfortable with conflict.
On page 184 of her book Charlotte hits the nail on the
head when she talks about the polarization within the liberal view.
" In polarization, those liberals who primarily value
individual autonomy and liberty tend toward stabilizing structures that maintain
the right to survive economically, upholding the values of patriarchal families,
obedience to GOd, and a particualr moral code. In polarization , those liberals
who predominantly value community and equality tend toward structural change
that increases participation of the marginalized and legal institutional rights
for all and what is often called a theology of Inclusion.
Orthodox / Conservative
Theology
Dorothee Solle describes orthodoxy as right believing,
correct faith. She states that orthodoxy within Protestanttism begin with the
basic principle: " Jesus Christ as he is attested to us in Holy Scripture, is
the one owrd of God, which we have to hear, which we have to trust and obey in
life and in death." It's staring point is the bible and dogmatic tradition.
"Many who hold this strain of theology say that everything
divides into either/ or categories - good and evil, God and humanity, spirit
and body, heaven and earht/nature, perfect and imperfect, sin and grace. The
owrld is seen as evil and faith is understood as a way to rise above the
problems and pwoers of the world."
" Personal morality and personal salvation are central.
Believers emphasize right behaviour and moral actions. The individual is
central. Obedience to God's will is stressed...... For many with orthodox views
hierarchy composes part of God's order....... People of orthodox faith in the
United Church use the Basis of Union as their guidepost."
Contextual or Liberationist
Theologies
"Dorothee Solle descripbes libeeration theology as human
collaboration with God's work of liberation. This theology grows out of contexts
of oppression and victimization; it seeks another way of living, hoping and
acting. Context and praxis form foundations for liberation theology, context
being the concrete political and social situations of people, praxis being
reflective action. Community is essential. In liberation theology, God shows a
preferential option for the poor and oppressed, which means that all scripture
must be read from the perspective of those who live inpoverty and oppression.
Social analysis undergirds all theology."
Worship reflects the theology of the church or at the very
least the theology of the present leaders of the church. It can be seen and
identified in such things as the nature of the message on a Sunday, the hymns
chosen, the anthems, the way the prayers are said, the words used during Baptism
and Communion.
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