Theology of Culture, Part 2

Ok, so to answer Joshua's questions, I decided to offer a post instead of just a couple of comments. And, always remember, these are only preliminary thoughts and what I see as a "way in" to developing a theology of culture.

So, first, let's talk about the method of correlation. A method of correlation is relatively simple and yet incredibly difficult to implement. Basically, as articulated by Tillich in his Systematic Theology, a method of correlation looks at the issues and problems of society and then purges religion (spec. Christianity) for the answer to the problem. The only problem with this is that many times the question being asked by a culture/society was not the same question that was being answered by Christianity. So, we need a more specifically hermeneutical (and, a radical hermeneutics) approach. Thus, the goal now, as articulated by David Tracy, becomes to understand the culture/society in which one lives and to see how they ask their questions and approach problems. We also need to be adept at Christian theology in such a way that we can offer answers and positions out of our tradition that speak to the broader culture. I would offer, also, that there is also a process of deconstruction at work here, both of theology and culture. Thus, this theological method is inherently apologetic.

Now, it becomes necessary to articulate what I mean by culture. And, I think here we hit a nebulous concept that is not really able to be had. But, basically, when I talk about culture, I am talking about the web of signification which gives a group or multiple groups meaning. Culture fills a "meaning space," weaving a web of signs and symbols that imbibe groups and societies with meaning. This means that cultures have what Tracy calls classic texts and I would add classic foci. A web is weaved from these classic places, with new classics constantly being added.

So, for an American, I would say that to understand our culture would be to understand a certain set of classic texts that have gone into giving people in the culture and society meaning, while also understanding the different art forms and other signifiers where people find meaning. Some classic texts would be Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, Scarlet Letter, Slaughterhouse 5, Catch 22, Catcher in the Rye, the Bible. But, we also need to understand what goes into shaping people now, which would be popular culture, like TV shows, pop music, movies, and even bestseller books.

I would also say that any theology that seeks to be practical must understand its location. So, any part of a practical theology must leave room for articulating the horizon against which one is set and speak to that horizon. So, if one lives and does work in the South, that should be acknowledged; one living in a northern city would look at things differently, etc.

The goal is to understand the world in which one lives, and also the world to which one communicates. The hope being an offering of the transformative power of the Gospel in a way that a group or culture can hear it anew and in its glory.

Toward a Theology of Culture

So, a New Year's Resolution is to start blogging more frequently. Specifically, use the blog as a way to get thoughts somewhere so that I can come back to them later to flesh out more substantially. I'm also hoping to do some book reviews as I interact with some theology and music material. As usual, please, whoever you are, interact, dialogue, share.

Right now, my thoughts are growing more and more toward building a theology of culture. My concern is the development of a theology that seeks to engage culture, not on culture's terms but also not by ramming culture into a theological paradigm. Rather, I'm really seeking to think through a way that a theologian can interact with culture in a way that is critical of both culture and theology.

I think that in beginning a journey like this, two caveats must be made:
1. Culture, the world, whatever, is loved, and graced, by God and is a place where God does reside.

2. A method of correlation must be used. I make this second statement knowing full well that many believe that this method is not appropriate. I recognize the weakness of this method, but believe it is the only way that does not seek to theologically dominate culture nor allow culture to dominate theology. I think that postliberalism and radical orthodoxy do the former and that liberal theologies do the latter.

However, as prolegomena to any theology of culture, we must establish the theological importance of the world and culture, which allows for us to then begin to understand it.

I think that the way to establish this theological importance for a Christian theology of culture is to turn to the person of Jesus Christ and his role in both the Creation and Incarnation. By looking here, we can begin to see how this method of correlation develops because of God's insistence on interacting with the world in a completely engaging way. I'll start another post here.