Bringing the Academy to Street Level

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 15 June 2009 10:51:48

Theologies is a blog which is seeking to bridge that gap between "the academy" and "the normal". It's written by one of the other post-grads up here and reflects the view that theology should be, (must be?), accessible to all. Found her blog via a piece she'd posted on Open Table Theology. Both of these seem to be seeking to bring the academy into the public square, as I believe it is known. Being more of a practical theology type I like Jeff Astley's idea of "ordinary theology". This is where theology is seen as being something people just "do" and so takes away the idea that it belongs exclusively in the domain of academia or professional clergy. This is not a new idea by any means, but is one which bubbles up every so often ready to be (re)claimed. I like the way that Ian M. Fraser put it within Reinventing Theology, (back in the early 1980's): "theology is already there among the people, waiting to be found; at the same time there is new work to be done." One of the great things about blogging is that it allows the connection between "the academy" and "the real world" to be made. The medium of the blog is such that it is open access and "the average Joe" can ask comments of or answer back to "the professional". Additionally, and arguably more importantly, it also gives the average person the opportunity to formulate and discuss their own theological reflections. Greenbelt is one of the places in the real world where this bridging also takes place. Traditionally it has been the "professionals" who have stepped out of the academy or seminary into the muddy field, but this year with Interesting it appears they are starting to make the process two way. Hopefully this is something they'll be seeking to incorporate into the stuff that's developing in Scotland, with "The PROJECT2: In The Flesh" In addition to those already mentioned a very small number of the blogs which are seeking to bring the academy to street level or atleast ensure people are meeting within the same space occassionally, (by students or teachers), are: 2 Churchmice's Blog - (John and Olive Drane) Maggi Dawn Sean The Baptist (in the UCA) - (Sean Winter) Knitting, Sex and God - (Anna) Andy Goodliff NT Gateway - (Dr. Mark Goodacre) If you have any more to recommend feel free to put them in the comments box. I might even manage to get them sorted into the links section.