Chicks Dig Theology

By Debra-Lynn Swearingen

I am no scholar. I often joke that I am hard-of-learning. The older I get, the more discipline it takes to read and study. Being nostalgic and sappy, I always suspect that I am one step away from Mysticism. But God forbid I shall ever again view faith through sentiments, feelings, and personal revelations. I must ask, “What does this mean?” Fortunately Lutheran theologians throughout time have answered that. Therefore I study our faith and practice. I read, remember, forget, and read again.

As much as I once professed “Deeds, not creeds”, my go-to descriptions of faith were “I just follow Jesus”, or “I just believe the Bible”. Creeds indeed, and they meant nothing objective. My Baptist friends said the same things and we all held differing opinions and practices of what following and believing meant. At a fad-driven rate I read the likes of Beth Moore, Stormie Omartian, Debi Pearl, and Kay Arthur. I considered them to be great women of faith. I attempted to live out their advice on serving God, loving my husband, raising my children, and honoring my parents. My pride was based on comparison and my despairing faith was directly proportional to my failures.

Fortunately my family converted to Lutheranism. We bought books, books, and more books. We read the Confessions, church fathers, great theologians, and contemporary works. We also found our way into Lutheran thought via the web. If it weren’t for several pastors using the Internet as a teaching platform, I’m nearly certain I would have left the faith entirely. I have asked and had my questions answered privately, in the forums, and via podcasts. I am grateful for such valuable resources. However, following those who teach via the web comes with it’s own set of misconceptions. One can get the impression that there is a ‘No Girls Allowed’ sign firmly nailed to the clubhouse door. Women have to field accusations of being fan-girls, fawning, or networking for earthly gain. Even the publishing houses target women as easy prey. There’s big money in marketing fluff—shallow, pink, swirly-curly, dipped in chocolate theology—just for the girls!

It’s easy to conclude that it is rather odd being a chick that digs theology. 

It isn’t exactly fodder for conversation either. Theology is an intimidating subject to chat up. There’s the risk that my pagan friends think I’m proselytizing, and my Christian friends think I’m pontificating. Not everyone shares the interest. I know many women with great faith who simply trust in their baptism, sit under their Pastor’s teaching, eat a meal of forgiveness, and depart in peace. And thanks be to God there are faithful pastors and churches where the Word is rightly preached and the sacraments are properly administered. But for women who’ve had their faith dangled on a thread, discernment means survival. It is a matter of life and death.

It takes a lot of work to erase the knowledge of Garbology. Especially, when it so easily lines up with our sin-nature. May God grant that I, and all the women like me, continue to study and learn Theology. In all our vocations as women, it’s good to desire to be a worker approved by God!