So here's the thing about Analytic Theology (a short )1/

"Analytic" Theology is a relatively recent self-described field of theological studies that seeks logical analysis of concepts typically considered under the umbrella of Christian doctrine- think doctrine of God and divine attributes, Trinity, Christology. 2/

In its efforts to be "analytic", theologians who work in this mode seek clarity and rigor. Of foremost concern is reaching precision in language and concept according to the rules of logic. 3/

I take no issue with "logic" or "rigor" necessarily. But theology is speech after God. God is the subject of human knowledge only insofar as God has revealed Godself- which is to say, only in part, and only as God desires to be known. 4/

So to seek foremost "clarity" or "precision" sometimes strives after that which God has not given us. I certainly desire to be clear and disclosive when I teach and write, but I don't seek "precision" and "clarity" as an end, necessarily. 5/

What I seek is to say something true about God. Sometimes, perhaps often, this means that I speak about what I don't know as much as what I do. It means that in certain areas (for me, this is the Trinity), I set limits on what kinds of claims I make. 6/

You might say I seek precision on what I don't or can't know, as often as what I do. 7/

Further, theology is speech after God-- speech toward God, in the direction which God has directed. We know this through Scripture, which (in my mind) should set the course for theology. Scripture sets before us the kinds of questions we should ask. 8/

AT fails so often when it seeks knowledge of things we don't, or can't, or perhaps shouldn't seek to know. It not occasionally but persistently gets the right answers to the wrong questions. 9/

This is because it sometimes takes precision and rigor, borrowed from analytic philosophy, as its method and not the course Scripture sets for us as theologians. Philosophers can ask any questions they'd like about God. 10/

Theologians, at least those like myself working from within, should be chastened by what kinds of questions Scripture encourages us to ask. This doesn't mean they are necessarily pious or devout-- but it does mean that hopefully they are not rabbit trails. 11/

Theologians seek to speak to we have been spoken to in Scripture- which is to say in prayer, in wisdom, in praise. The best analytic theology is systematic theology with lots of subheadings. The worst is something else entirely. 12/

I have another set of concerns about representation and standpoint theory that hopefully you'll see in print before too long, so I'm saving these for another day. But they are also significant concerns of mine relative to AT. 13/

I'll also be on a panel with @JamesArcadi, Richard Cross, and Kate the Great Sonderegger in November discussing Timothy Pawl's book on Christology. We might get to talk about some of these concerns, we'll see. https://www.christamongthedisciplines.com/book-panels