Per WikiPedia, "Systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systematic_theology
So what is "not-systematic theology"? Well, it *isn't* systematic theology (see definition above).
I am not qualified to write about systematic theology. There are very highly qualified people who do a lot of work with that. Some of them I happen to know. I can't do what they do.
What am I qualified to do? We'll I have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from 1985 (one can imagine how very much this field has changed since I earned the degree). I think a lot, I try to learn a lot, I try to listen. After 57 years of life, I have some ideas about that.
I am also a Christian for all of those years, and my faith has always been an important part of those years. That faith has changed a lot, but I'll save discussing that for other posts.
Since I am not a systematic theologian, nor should I be; but I do have some ideas about Christianity that *might* have some limited merit.
My 'back of the napkin' definition for "not-systematic theology" is "thoughts about faith and religion from outside the realm of systematic theology". Oh and since I am Christian, and more mainline Christian at that, most of it will be from that perspective.
Will I comment outside of mainline Christianity? Yes, especially as it pertains to white American Evangelicalism, since I grew up in the Southern Baptist Convention.
Will anything I write be influenced by systematic theology? Almost certainly, but while I see a place for it, I am going to be exploring other places. I am qualified to shop in a grocery store or play in a public park; but I am not qualified to play any significant role in an operating theater except maybe as the patient if needed. I will try very much to not claim to do what I can't do in regards with theology.
Hopefully the direction will be more clear in upcoming posts.
Anything else? My personality is one that values the truth rather highly. Ironically, I know enough about truth to understand there are very real limits on my ability (or anyone's) to know all truth. So I may explore truth a bit in the context of not-systematic theology (and I guess not-academic-philosophy too).
