A Little Exercise for Young Theologians
Helmut Thielicke

Eerdmans—Theology
56 pages

In this short “book”, theologian Helmut Thielicke lays out a spectacular treatiste for beginning the journey into theological studies containing warnings for misuse and abuse as well as encouragement for the transformation that will arise out of our exploration of God. Thielicke speaks straight to the beginning student and provides a wealth of words of reinforcement to the more “seasoned” theological mind.

I haven’t picked this book up since college, and on a whim while packing I pulled it from the shelf and came across this exhortation:

…every theological idea which makes an impression upon you must be regarded as a challenge to your faith. Do not assume as a matter of course that you believe whatever impresses you theologically and enlightens you intellectually. Otherwise suddenly you are believing no longer in Jesus Christ, but in Luther, or in one of your other theological teachers.

Such a statement reminds me that through all the different thoughts that come racing, all the different ideas that continue to be formulated and presented through different media’s it is Christ and Christ alone that we must return to in each and every situation. Thielicke provides a beautiful reminder of that essential and brings it home in the realm of theological study and exploration.

Despite being translated from German and a little hard to read in places and at times, this book is an essential piece of literature and thought for anyone in their exploration of God.