what is a shade tree theologian?

I did a search on google for shade tree theologian to see if I could find my blog and instead found a man by the name of Jean-Marc Ela. By the way I never found by blog! Mr. Ela was an
author of theology and philosophy. One of his books "African cry" has been called "the soundest illustration of liberation theology in sub Sahara Africa." He was also quoted as saying that people should adopt a "shade-tree theology" in which small groups of believers can gather together to interpret the gospel in the light of their own particular circumstances.

First I have to say that I do not subscribe to liberation theology. Second I do not think any one should interpret the gospel in light of their own circumstances. I don't see how this is any different than relativism. So what did I mean by shade tree theologian?

When I first thought of this I was reminded of the term shade tree mechanic. I always thought of someone like this as a guy with a bunch of cars around that he would work on because it was something he loved to do. It was enjoyable to him and he found satisfaction in restoring old broken down wrecks into something someone could use. This person had little formal training however through years of hands on experience he is very comfortable around the engine of some old clunker.

That being said I do not really live up to this analogy. While I like reading about theology and philosophy and how to apply it to our lives I do not have years of experience with these subjects. That is what I hope to gain through my own personal study, both private and academic and through conversations with normal everyday run-of-the-mill people, which I consider myself. I am not the brightest person you will meet. I am not the most charismatic or funny person either. As a matter of fact I am very average in just about every way you can imagine. I just want to know more about God, the Bible, peoples world views and how to help others discover what I have and to help them apply all this to their lives.

Are you happy with your life or just content?

I heard this question asked the other day and it's the word content that caught my attention. The way this person phrased the question I could tell that they viewed being content in a negative way and being happy in a positive way. I never got a chance to ask what she meant by the word content and now I can only guess at what she meant. How ever I think what she might have meant by content as opposed to being happy is this: contentment is when you put up with your circumstances. You wish something better for yourself and are looking forward to the day when you achieve the goals that you have set for yourself so that you may be happy. Happiness is the point where you leave your contentment behind. But is this the biblical view of contentment? I Then remembered that Paul said that he had learned to be content in all circumstances-Philippians 4:11.

Paul spent his entire life traveling around the country preaching the gospel and planting churches. He suffered many things in his travels. At the time Paul was writing to the Philippians he was a prisoner of Rome. In light of all this Paul is able to say I have learned to be content in all circumstances. The Greek word that is translated "content" means "to be self-sufficient or to be satisfied." I think Paul could be satisfied in his current situation because he was doing Gods will. It was Paul himself that said"to live is Christ and to die is gain." Paul wasn't concerned with the trappings of this life. He wasn't trying to build wealth or to get the newest technologies or even to become the most popular. Now granted all these things that I mentioned are more closely related to our lives today, However although these temptations looked different in Paul's day there were still temptations. We can follow all of the stuff that makes this life better and us"happy" or we can concentrate on what God wants us to do and accomplish. This is what Paul was doing. This is why he was content in his circumstances. Today there are a lot of things competing for our attention and all of them promise, whether directly or indirectly, to make us happy. My father once said "the more stuff you have the more you have to worry about." I have experienced what my father said that day. I know exactly what he meant now.

The way I see it happiness and contentment are not the opposite poles of a continuum. Being one does not mean you are not the other. You can be content in your present circumstances and still be happy. You can also be happy with your life and not be content, always chasing after more stuff. However if you are not content are you truly happy? I don't think you can be for any length of time. As Christians we must learn to be content with what ever God gives us and this will lead to happiness that will last for eternity. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth(Colossians 3:2).