Theology Of The Knees

Pope Francis recently had something to say about theology – actually, theologians.   Theology is defined as the study of religious faith, practice and experience, or said another way and more specific to the word “theology,” it’s the study of God and God’s relation to the world.   Now that’s an assignment!  

Theology is not without controversy.  Notable and prominent theologians have been disciplined by the Vatican for their positions and writings.   Hans Kung and Charles Curran are two notable examples.  

Theology journals don’t escape notice either.  In 2011 the National Catholic Reporter had an article entitled “Vatican pressures theology journal.”  That journal was Theological Studies.   The NCR report read: “In a move some theologians say undermines the credibility of the leading English-language Catholic theological journal, the Vatican has pressured it to publish a scholarly essay on marriage, unedited and without undergoing normal peer review…The Vatican aim is to weed out dissenting voices and force the journal to stick more closely to official church teachings…”

That was in 2011.   This month Pope Francis addressed the International Theological Commission in Vatican City.  The Pope said, “…The theologian is, first of all, a believer who hears the Word of the living God and receives it in his heart and mind.  However, the theologian must also place himself humbly to hear 'what the Spirit says to the Churches' (Revelation 2:7), through the different manifestations of the faith lived by the People of God... together with all the Christian people, the theologian opens the eyes and the ears to the ‘signs of the times’…”

The Associated Press reported, “Pope Francis urged the Catholic Church’s top theologians Friday to listen to what ordinary Catholics have to say and pay attention to the ‘signs of the times,’ rather than just making pronouncements in an academic vacuum….Francis has frequently complained that theologians are holding back the church in its mission to evangelize and work with other Christian communities.” 

“Just this past weekend, returning from Turkey, Francis spoke about the need for the Catholic and Orthodox churches to walk together on the path of unity.  ‘What are we waiting for?  For the theologians to reach agreement?  That day will never come, I assure you,’ he said.  Francis has instead stressed what he calls ‘theology of the knees’ – a more merciful kind of theology that isn’t focused so much on rules but on meeting the faithful where they are to help them reach holiness.”

I note one more thing.   In his address the Pope said: “…I would like to see, within the ever more diversified composition of the Commission, a greater presence of women...They are the strawberries of the cake, but there must be more! – a presence that becomes an invitation to reflect on the role that women can and must have in the field of theology…in virtue of their feminine genius, women theologians can highlight for the benefit of all, certain unexplored aspects of the unfathomable mystery of Christ 'in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (Colossians 2:3). Therefore, I invite you to draw the best profit from this specific contribution of women to the intelligence of the faith.”  

Geez louise, thank you!  Who is this guy, and why did it take so long for him to appear?   God knows.

Deacon David Pierce