Everyone, including atheists, have some sort of theology. Therefore, the definition needs to be somewhat broad. Examples:
The study or science of God - Millard Erickson
The science of God and of the relations between God & the universe. - A.H. Strong
Rational discussion respecting the deity - Augustine
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Section 2:
What/who is a Theologian? We all are; anyone who has thoughts on God, no matter what they may be.
Anyone who has asked the ultimate questions:
why am I here?
what is life?
what happens after death?
what is the diff between right & wrong?
why is there something instead of nothing?
Question is are we going to be a good theologian or a bad theologian? (politically correct answer is that they are all good, but they are not).
Not thinking for yourself/going with the flow is anti-intellectual. It's passive learning & we go this route because we don't want to be divisive - but the Bible is divisive!
We are driven by experiences & emotions, but what do we believe?
What is Tabloid Theology?
There are 5 basic arenas in which we can do theology:
1. tabloid theology (new, exciting & people tend to believe it when it's not true. Based on naive "here -say" with no or little basis in fact)
2. folk theology (ingrained, tradition, folklore)
3. lay theology
4. ministerial theology
5. professional theology
6. academic theology
You get closer to the truth as you move from 1 to 6.
What is Folk Theology?
Something old & foundational-traditional. Your life & hopes are in it. There is no biblical basis for it.
One who uncritically & unreflectively constructs his/her theology according to traditions & religious folk-lore. The folk theologian is often very dogmatic about his/her beliefs.
Examples: St. Peter meeting us at the pearly gates, our thoughts about what angels look like, guardian angels, satan as red with horns & a pitchfork (the Bible refers to him as an angel of light, so he will do his best to not appear evil, but as an angel), good works will save us, all people are good at heart, God helps those that helps themselves, demon possession (see below).
As Christians, we have "gates" that filter our beliefs & we need to protect them. They should not be open to everything; they should be closed, BUT we have to learn what gets in/can be added and what can not.
Demon possession: our belief is that someone EXTREMELY evil must be dp, but that thought has a basis that all man is good & then anyone extremely evil MUST be dp. In the Bible, the dp guy was hurting himself, not intellectual, mad, out of control, etc. Not that Hitler, Stalin, Manson were not dp, but we need to be careful.
The other types of theology:
Lay theologian-more reflective, more critical of unfounded traditions, willing to use study tools.
Ministerial theologian-educated in theological methodology, able to use study tools & resources at a more effective level, able to openly critique personal theology against competing models, intent on devoting more time to reflection so that theological integration can take place (not necessarily ministers per se).
Professional theologian-they make a living teaching it, are didactically purposed toward lay & pastoral theologians, conduct practical research, critically evaluate common theological trends & folk theology (seminary professors who love what they do & love to teach).
They are often accused of "quenching the Spirit" because it is threatening to be a theologian that is precise.
Academic theologian - professional theologian who constructs his theology with an overly speculative & critical spirit. His dialogue can usually come only with other theologians. It is often called "Ivory Tower theology." Will not let anything "religious" get in. Example would be those with theological degrees, perhaps doctorates, that spout beliefs that contradict the Bible.
Acceptable range we want to be in is from Lay-Ministerial-Professional theologians.
Our theology affects EVERYTHING: what we think about God, how we interpret the Bible, when we get sick, when we defend the faith, when we plan for the future, when we choose schooling for our children, when we vote, who we will marry, etc.
Theology: faith seeking understanding.
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