On Being in The Middle: Doing Theology in the Face of Uncertainty.

Introduction

A Divided World I have been acutely aware of just how divided the world is. It's a place where people on both the left and the right demonize each other and where one right often seeks to dominate over another. This book, "On Being in The Middle," proposes that theology should transcend these polarizations. I argue that we need to do theology from the middle—a position that acknowledges the in-between space we inhabit as human beings. This uncertain space is where we live our lives, and my aim is to explore what it means to do theology from the bottom up and from the inside out.

Theology from the Middle

In this book, I suggest that our theological pursuits should begin from a middle ground. This means recognizing the liminal, or in-between, stages of our lives—a concept deeply rooted in anthropology. Liminality describes a transitional state akin to standing on a threshold between two spaces. For me, this concept has profound theological significance, offering a framework to navigate the uncertainties of life.

Exploring Liminality

From an anthropological perspective, liminality is when boys are taken from their village and are no longer children but not yet men. It's that space where I find myself neither entirely in one state nor the other. It resonates deeply with my personal experience of always feeling somewhere in-between.

Personal Reflections on Being in the Middle

I am the middle son in my family. There was a time when I was the youngest and received all the attention, but that changed when my younger brother was born. I had to create my own space in the middle, navigating what it meant to be neither the oldest nor the youngest. This personal anecdote mirrors a broader human experience of negotiating life's in-between stages.

The Broader Human Experience

Navigating these in-between stages is a universal human experience. We often find ourselves enveloped by uncertainties, grappling with what has been and what is yet to come. We must wrestle with our past while confronting the unknown future. This in-between space requires humility and a recognition that our answers may not be final but can contribute to the flourishing of humankind.

Theological Significance of the Middle

Theologically, being in the middle is significant. Humanity was created as in-between beings, occupying spaces between rivers in the creation story and existing between God and creation. For a time, we lived in a state of certainty, but that certainty was lost, leaving us in a threshold between life and death. This is our human condition, and it's here that we pursue our goals and ambitions.

The Afrikaner Experience

As an Afrikaner from South Africa, I've seen firsthand the dangers of living in this in-between space. The history of Afrikaners began with colonization and subsequently navigated a liminal existence between African traditional owners and European heritage. Under apartheid, this middle space became one of increasing isolation, leading to the development of doctrines that justified segregation. The Afrikaner story illustrates what can happen when theology in the middle is not open to correction.

Dangers of Unchecked Theology

Unchecked theology, especially when overwhelming uncertainty seeks concrete answers, poses significant dangers. For a long time, as an Afrikaner, I was not open to different viewpoints or corrections, making the middle space fraught with peril.

Orthopathos

In this book, I propose that good theology begins by acknowledging our affections and facing our fears and anxieties. By starting with our affections and allowing them to become ordered—what I call orthopathos—we can then build into orthodoxy and ultimately orthopraxy, leading to right practice and behaviour. This approach recognizes that God occupies the middle with us and permeates all of human life, assuring us that we are not left alone in the middle.

Practical Theology and Transformation

This kind of theology is transformative. Theological practice is not merely a discipline but a Christian practice that anticipates the presence of God. Practices like prayer and reading scripture integrate our love for God (orthopathos) with our knowledge of God (orthodoxy), allowing us to live wisely and reasonably.

Personal Journey and Conversion

In my journey, growing up as an Afrikaner, theology was initially a settled matter. However, my life transformed for the better when I was exposed to Desmond Tutu's brilliance and faced my own disordered affections. A significant encounter during my seminary days in the southeastern United States led me to a moral conversion experience, reordering my affections and fundamentally altering my theological outlook.

Conclusion

Openseminary and Future Engagement Openseminary, a program that emerged from my journey, embodies this way of thinking theologically. Over the past 20 years, I have been teaching this approach, and I hope you find this book exciting. I am eager to engage with anyone interested in discussing these ideas further.