Theologia: The Fragmentation and Unity of Theological Education Paperback – January 26, 2001

This slim volume by Edward Farley has spawned an enormously important literature on theological education. Before this book was written, there was very little specifically theological discussion of what theological education ought to look like. Since its publication, an entire literature has come into being, all of which references this volume. For those who want to understand theological education and how it could and should be reformed, this book is the best place to begin. It richly deserves to be reprinted!

I've never encountered a more difficult book to read nor a more worthwhile one. Oddly about two thirds of the way through the book Farley's language changes. Once he has rigorously laid out his analysis, he turns to it's implications with more clear and insightful remarks about its ramifications. It felt like I had climbed a steep mountain and then found myself cruising down the other side.So many conversations in the church take place in a vacuum of historical context resulting in platitudes and unnecessary differences and misunderstandings. Farley shows very effectively how the concept of theology turned from a set of practices that focused one's soul upon God to a very fragmented field of professional qualification. This was accomplished by the church's efforts to copy the secular educational institutions that resulted from the enlightenment.After reading this I've become clearly aware of the impact the enlightenment and it's resulting educational institutions have had upon Christianity by turning the training of church leaders in to a professional endeavor where students become "experts" in a field of study rather than in Godly character and leadership.

Do you sense that something is wrong with theological education but you just can't put your finger on what it is?Farley traces the history of theological education to discover the roots of the four-fold division in theology: church history, Scripture, practical theology and systematic theology (with many more subcategories like ethics, languages, feminist studies, spiritual formation, etc.)He laments this fragmentation and suggests "theologia" (or theological reflection) as the the proper aim of all theological education. This theologia includes starting with situations, reflecting on them in light of theology, reflecting on that theology, and deciding on proper actions. Farley criticizes courses that build clergy skills but contain little theological reflection.I read this book for "Th.D. Seminar: Explorations in Practical Theology" at Duke Divinity School. Farley is strong in analysis - breaking down every concept into multiple parts. But this is also the book's greatest weakness. Because of its dense argumentation, it is a difficult read.If you do a google search with the words: review farley theologia, you will find some more substantial reviews of the book and an interview with Farley.Farley's book has stimulated deep questions about the direction of theological education since its publication in 1983. This is its enduring legacy.