People of faith sometimes hesitate at the suggestion that they are by definition "theologians." The word tends to conjure up an image of an ordained church leader or an academic professional with formal training in the field. And, to be sure, such persons have carried the discipline of theology in a formal way through the generations, providing a structure and basis for the church's understanding of its faith.

Also, the accumulated work of formal theologians is massive to the point of being overwhelming to many people who attempt to delve into it. Its complexity can easily dissuade those with casual interest and even those required to study it.

But there is another level of theological thinking that goes on in the life and mind of every adherent to a faith. It usually does not lead to formal expression in a systematic way, but it becomes the working understanding of what one's faith means and how it is lived in real time. It is to this kind of theological thinking and to those who engage in it that the author offers this "set of keys."

These basic suggestions do not delve into the depths of the doctrines of the church or explore the nuances that have accompanied the Christian tradition. There are resources aplenty for anyone who wishes to explore those avenues and their many-faceted interpretations of the faith experience. This set of keys is more basic, but no less important. They provide helpful access to the rooms of theology and a perspective for dealing with what is found there, so that the encounters can be a healthy and wholesome part of the faith journey.

Introduction: A Theologian? Who Me?

Part 1: Keys for Personal Discernment

Key #1-Faith and Theology

Key #2-Faith and Beliefs

Key #3-Faith and the Partiality of Understanding

Key #4-Faith and the Sources of Theological Guidance

Key #5-Faith and the Religious Marketplace

Key #6-Faith and the Levels of Truth

Key #7-Faith and Science

Key #8-Faith and History

Key #9-Faith and Personal Development

Key #10-Faith and Other Faiths

Part 2: Using the Keys to Unlock Understanding

What kind of God is this?

How can I know what to believe?

Do I have to believe this Trinity thing?

How could Jesus be God and human at the same time?

How can the Bible be true when it contains so many inconsistencies?

What is a faithful way to respond to other faiths?

How do we apply the Bible's evolving moral guidance?

How do we bridge the gap between faith and science?

How does faith respond when bad things happen?

Part 3: Supplemental Keys on Particular Topics

The "Inspiration" of the Bible

The Old Testament Prophets

The Gospel "Portraits" of Jesus

The Bible as Source and Companion for the Faith Journey

Traditional Concepts That "Grow Up" Theologically

When Theological Concepts Grow Up

Conclusion: Theology as a Pilgrimage Toward Community