Bad Theology - bookrastinating.com

English language

Published April 28, 2023 by Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd.

ISBN:: 978-0-334-06105-2

Why does bad theology happen to good people? Is it even possible for theology to go "bad"? On the one hand, the answer ought to be 'no'. It comes from God, so how can it be bad? Yet theology is predominately human construct, and as a result, humans can influence their theological conclusions with their own desires and beliefs. The result, more often than we care to admit, is 'bad theology'. Drawing on a careful definition of 'bad theology' as theology which denies human flourishing, avoids self-reflection and doesn't seek justice and equality, Leah Robinson offers a series of penetrating case studies which show what bad theology can look like when put into action. As we look at how theology can be bad, she argues, we might begin to understand how it might be better.

1 edition

Dan Keck reviewed Bad Theology by Leah E. Robinson

Brief, compelling history and analysis of people doing bad things in Jesus's name

5 stars

The author takes four historical cases—apartheid in South Africa, the American Puritans, the Ku Klux Klan, and Jonestown—and studies the perpetrators' religious motives. She demonstrates how each is a case of "bad" theology using a rubric of "good" vs. "bad" theology. This rubric is admittedly subjective, but is based on the work of several theologians and philosophers, and it sounded good to me.

In particular, the author stresses that "bad theology" does not mean "non-Christian" but rather that Christian theology can be applied by humans in bad ways.

The book is academic and at times a little over my head, but I enjoyed it and finished feeling more acquainted with the idea of practical theology, and how people can use this theology to help people but also seriously hurt people.

The author takes four historical cases—apartheid in South Africa, the American Puritans, the Ku Klux Klan, and Jonestown—and studies the perpetrators' religious motives. She demonstrates how each is a case of "bad" theology using a rubric of "good" vs. "bad" theology. This rubric is admittedly subjective, but is based on the work of several theologians and philosophers, and it sounded good to me.

In particular, the author stresses that "bad theology" does not mean "non-Christian" but rather that Christian theology can be applied by humans in bad ways.

The book is academic and at times a little over my head, but I enjoyed it and finished feeling more acquainted with the idea of practical theology, and how people can use this theology to help people but also seriously hurt people.