What's the Point of Theology?: Wisdom, Wellbeing and Wonder

by Alister E. McGrath

Theology is the study of the nature of God and of religious belief. But why should that matter to us?

What's the point of theology?

In this wonderfully accessible book, renowned theologian Alister McGrath answers that question--What's the point of theology?--and explores the depth and breadth theology can bring to our lives. Drawing on insights from his experience of coming to Christianity from atheism, this exhilarating and enlightening volume reveals how theology can help us grow in wisdom, contribute to our wellbeing, spark our innate sense of wonder, and above all, grow in faith and love as we draw ever closer to the divine. 

Ideal for new and seasoned Christians who want to engage more deeply with their faith, as well as those who are puzzled by spiritual matters and curious to find out more, What's the Point of Theology? will open your eyes to all that theology has to offer--a wiser understanding of what really matters, a richer vision of the good life, a deeper appreciation of the beauty of nature, and an avenue to strengthen your faith and relationship with God.

Genres: Christian, Theology

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2022

About the author

Alister Edgar McGrath is a Northern Irish theologian, priest, intellectual historian, scientist, and Christian apologist. He currently holds the Andreas Idreos Professorship in Science and Religion in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, and is Professor of Divinity at Gresham College. He was previously Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at King's College London and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture, Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, until 2005. He is an Anglican priest and is ordained within the Church of England.

Aside from being a faculty member at Oxford, McGrath has also taught at Cambridge University and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford, a DPhil in Molecular Biophysics, a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and a Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History.

McGrath is noted for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion, as well as his writings on apologetics. He is also known for his opposition to New Atheism and antireligionism and his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, and A Scientific Theology. He is also the author of a number of popular textbooks on theology.

Reviews

[Drew]

Quick read but a nice little intro to the “why,” moreso than the content, of theology. I always enjoy McGrath.

[Levi Moberg]

Ultimately, a very serviceable defense for the need for theology as a discipline, both in the ivory towers of academia and the organic spaces we inhabit. Like most things McGrath writes, it is helpful but not enduring or groundbreaking.

[Tony]

Fascinating window into Theology

Whereas before I downplayed Theology, I now see it as a worthwhile and enriching endeavor for the rest of my days that I may learn to truly love God with all my mind, heart, and strength above all things.
Thank you Alister, I wish I found you sooner.

[Brent]

The title says it all. More of a defense of theology than theology itself. It is a good defense though, and should lead one to investigate the topic further.

[Ethan Jordan]

What is the point of theology?
Alister McGrath attempts to answer this question in this short but thought provoking read.

The strengths of this book are easily McGrath's powerful use of analogies and imagery to help flesh out his arguments (I reckon I will think of worldviews as tapestries for the rest of my life). These help give the chapters where they are most prevalent feel rich in depth and implications. His writing style is quite enjoyable and engaging.

In the first half of the book McGrath lays down some rich foundations for what theology actually is, and why Christians and all others should be convinced of its worth outside of academia, before then addressing an assortment of common objections.

Though nuanced enough to preface in the opening chapters that there is likely no singular 'right' answer to the books title, McGrath spends second half of this piece breaking down and defending his 'thesis'. That being that we should continue to pursue theology as a discipline because it teaches us wisdom, improves our wellbeing, and moves us to experience wonder.

Does McGrath suitably defend this?
If this book is intended largely to be an apologetic (which it is) to an assumed secular academic and lay audience (which it might be?) then it is a very effective piece of rhetoric.
However those who consider might themselves armchair theologians will likely find that McGraths arguments do not as effectively motivate the saint. This is because McGraths arguments, although very trinitarian and Christo-centric (which I greatly appreciated), can largely be boiled down to 'do theology because it is good for you, especially if it is true'.
Now McGrath makes this case very persuasively, sensitively, earnestly, and in such a way that, for those who consider themselves genuine seekers truth and particularly virtue, will find plenty to spark the imagination and seriously wrestle with.
However since Christians are motivated by much more than 'its good for you' (e.g., loyalty and obedience to God, and love for God and their neighbours) they as an audience my feel slightly less engaged.

In summary, McGrath has written a very enjoyable, enriching, and edifying piece on why Theology is not only good for everyone, but also why it is beautiful, which I believe he manages to begin to show in the chapters of this book.

[Steve]

I really enjoy Alister McGrath, his faith journey to Christ is compelling, and he has become a prolific author of apologetics, theology, and biography (his biography of C. S. Lewis is fantastic). In this book he extols the benefits of studying Christian theology. To know theology is to develop a habit of discernment, to see the world, people, and things rightly, properly, and fully. Theology provides a big picture perspective, providing a guide to the study and understanding of Bible verses, chapters, or books.

McGrath also challenges the reader to not only learn about the great Christian theologians and philosophers of history, but also to let them teach you how to live and think in a Christian way today. Finally, he provides resources on further reading in theology. Overall I believe this is a very worthy read.

[Jason Albertson]

This one wasn't for me. A couple of observations...

1) McGrath writes for the ear, not the eye. Probably would've enjoyed this more as an audiobook—or just an in-person lecture, which is what it wanted to be.
2) This is a defense of theology as a discipline, and that's fine. It just didn't land for me because 🤷‍♂️ I'm already convinced, yo. I just wasn't the target audience.

Would've been a DNF, but I really like McGrath as a person, and I was holding out for some helpful stuff. And to be fair, there are a couple of things I'm taking away from this book. Just felt like a lot of book for a little payoff — and this is a short book.

[Bette Stanek]

I have always been fascinated by theology. This is a good introductory book into the world of theology and why it is important to study theology. It is not a dry subject. There are many insightful nuggets in these pages. McGrath gives the reader a desire to explore theology with this gem. The book is well-cited and provides resources for further exploration at the end.

[Kian.ting]

Nice summary, the whole point is that we have a difference lens in our eyes and perception when we see the world. Learning theology would also bring us back to the original reason why all this is the original reason why church exists, to keep the faith alive.

[Brandon]

A thoughtful study of what theology is and does. Meditative in the kinds of points it makes, drawing from a wide range of authors, inside and outside of Christianity.

Pairs well with Trevin Wax's book The Thrill of Orthodoxy, because it's looking at the same subject from a different angle.