Confessions of a Beginning Theologian

by Elouise Renich Fraser

I hate looking and sounding like a beginner. Making mistakes and asking questions. Not sure yet where I'm going, much less how I'm going to get from here to there. Afraid of what might happen along the way. But God loves beginners. Becoming a theologian is about becoming a beginner. It isn't about whether you're old enough, young enough, smart enough or good enough. . . . It isn't about becoming someone else, changing your personality or leaving your past behind. And it isn't about becoming dull and dry, giving up fun and excitement, retreating from the world to attain some more exalted existence. In this poignant, strikingly honest account, theologian Elouise Renich Fraser reveals her inner journey to overcome fear--fear of being wrong, doing wrong, being misunderstood and ignored--to confront her past and learn to befriend the Bible. Her story will inspire and encourage other "beginners"--at whatever stage in their personal and theological journeys--to learn to read theological texts more sympathetically, to develop theological imagination and to find their own voices as authentic human beings before God.

Genres: Theology

132 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly found this book in a clearance bin at a used book store and I am so glad I did. This small book is less a memoir and more a conversation. It feels like sitting down with an older woman of the faith sharing her story. It’s the story of a woman who learned how to become a theologian. You won’t find a list of steps, but you will find a guide. If you ever happen to encounter this book I would encourage you to pick it.

[John Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

My relationship with this book can be summed up in a few short words: I hated it before I loved it. When I found this book at a local shop I was fully expecting to start a book about how to pattern one's life after a tried and tested theologian. Instead of that, I was faced with the reality that I had spent money on an autobiography of some lady whom I had never heard of. However, I'm glad I did. In this insider's guide to the mind of Dr. Elouise Fraser, readers get a first-hand account of the life and work of a scholar as well as a generous portion of the fears, anxieties, and insecurities of a wife and mother of two children in pursuit of God.

In the book, Dr. Fraser talks about sitting down at the proverbial table with strangers just to engage in dialogue. As I got deeper and deeper into the book, I began to feel as though I was doing just that; I was sitting down face to face with Dr. Fraser and exchanging life stories. Although we come from completely different backgrounds and would probably never see eye to eye on doctrinal issues, dialogue is still important. Furthermore, one cannot separate theology and strangers. The two are interconnected on many levels including, but not limited to, the way we as strangers initially approach God, the way we approach the strangers who wrote the Bible and share their message with strangers that we meet, and also how we connect with strangers who have become friends, co-workers, and even our spouse.

If you are looking for a detailed step-by-step guide about how to become a theologian, keep looking. If you are interested in a easy-to-read story about a theologian who is interested in engaging strangers and is as transparent as possible in dealing with the inward "man," look no further.

[Dave Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theology has a lot to do with humility. It is the practice of thinking on the things of God and allowing that to form (and inform) our understanding of who we are, who God is, and how this shapes the way we see the world.

Unfortunately a lot of people look at the subject and idea of theology and leave that up to the theologians. Multiple reasons are employed to distance onesslf from the practice- I'm not good enough. I'm not smart enough. I'm not educated enough. I'm too afraid. My faith is not strong enough. Elousie Renich Fraser outlines her own reasons for avoiiding theology, and presents her story in order to inspire others to see that we all do theology whether we know it or not, and recognizing that can free us to to embrace this practice in our own lives without inhibitions.

Theology at its most necessary reminds us of who we are and who God is, and shapes us according to what theological reflection can reveal about these things. This is a picture of humility.

Fraser writes, "Theological imagination is the heart of thelogical reflction. Without it theological reflection becomes repetititious, boringly correct and eventually blind to what is right in front of us. It becomes mere thinking about rather than seeing into." So often most of our Christian lives are built around hearing someone do theology for us and thus translating that into hearing and acting properly as the aim of the Christian life. For theology to be truly fromative though we must be participating in is formation. We must be in dialogue with it, giving and receiving in relattionship to it. This is how theology itself is shaped, and this is where we are shaped by it. As Fraser writes, "I know I am speaking truly when I am willing to be caught in the act." This is the challenge of actually doing theology ourselves, is risking where it takes us when we are willing to talk back. And this begins with acknowledging how limited our knowledge is, and how the process itself is necessary for growing.

And this gets at an important facet of this book- if humility is at the root of theology, then asking quesitons is important to the process. The "why" questions can help us understanding that theology is not about being smart enough, it is about the freedom to inquire, to search, to ask and to challenge. something that risks but in doing so holds the power to bring about a stonger faith. This freedom also allows us to be in relationship with one another, precisely by freeing us from the need to compare ourselves and our faith to others by doing theology. As Fraser suggests, "If I let my gaurd down to attend fully to other peoples eperiences, beliefs and feelings, I might lose my edge of moral if not intellectual superiority. Worse, my point of view might be challenged." Here we are free to question, and also to doubt. But in this we become free to believe and to grow.

"I have been on a search, listening for voices out there in the wilderness that resonate with my experience of life. I am not looking for a mirror image of myself, I am looking for anyone who knows where I have been, who has found in Christianity a strength and hope. I'm looking for food. Food for thougtt which is also food for my hungry soul."

[Denise Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about being a female theologian. Shared growing up in a strict household made it difficult for her to “find her voice” as a theologian. She was taught to fear men and found it hard to develop a relationship with God. Theology is more than having more knowledge but learning more about God and how it relate to your identity. I liked points made about reading theological books and building a relationship with your Bible

[Shobha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book spoke to me in a way few other books have. It is a personal narrative on Fraser's journey and how inextricably connected all of life is. Could not recommend this enough to those who might be moving into newer spaces but also struggling with their past, their conflicts, and trust. There is hope for us yet :)

[Tony Ruble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Renich Fraser has a firm grasp on the emotional roller coaster that is becoming "a theologian." She encourages the reader to delve deep into the mysteries of God, all the while knowing your never going to hit the bottom and figure God out. This book assures you that it is okay to ask questions and that God wants you to wrestle with your understanding of Him.