Thoughts on a Theology Blog

I have tinkered with the idea of starting a theology specific blog in the past and maybe keeping this one a secret for friends and family. I've come close to doing it a number of times. Theology can be a heavy subject and if I ever write something (or a series of somethings) that creates a bit of a stir on the internet I would rather not have prospective employers / colleagues (and haters) read some of my more silly, personal, or unfinished entries. If they dig far enough they will still find them, it is the internet after all, but for now it is advantageously and prudent for me to begin separating my theology posts from my personal posts.

Now the question must be asked: "how do you start a theology blog?" My first answer was to maybe start at the beginning with Genesis 1:1 and talk about the creation of the world. This is a logical place to start and perhaps even a very good place but I wasn't quite sure where to take it from there except to maybe continue on through the Pentateuch and talk about the creation of humanity, a Christian understanding of gender, The Fall, the effects of sin in the world, the Tower of Babel, The Flood, and on and on through The Bible until I hit the end. While logical the structure is too rigid and it would take too long to reach anything that is explicitly Christian as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all share a common past.

Then I thought maybe I should start with the birth of Christ. This is another logical starting point. Start with the birth of the man upon whom your entire religion is based on. I had intended to do this *before* Christmas, but life, work, children, and disability conspired together so that I could not do much of anything except keep the house clean and hungry mouths fed let alone write theology.

Then in the midst of preparing to host Christmas and appeasing one overstimulated child and another teething child I thought that it might be best if I start a Christian theology blog *before* the birth of Christ; during the season of waiting which the Church has called Advent. Why Advent? Because it is immediately and universally relevant and prepares the reader to understand the birth of Christ. "Yes, Advent," the gears in my head turned happily at the thought. A parallel between what the world was like before Christ arrived and how the world is like now that he has arrived but has not yet returned. The hopes and fears of all the years and how all of creation looks to Christ forward and backward, yearning and groaning in expectation. And then, as my wife pointed out to me, 'waiting' has been my own personal theme for the last ten years; another piece clicks into place.

And so I have decided to begin with Advent, the season of waiting. Unfortunately I might have to wait to write it. Christmas was waited for, came, and is now gone for another year and I should do some research on the topic as a typical Baptist upbringing didn't really celebrate or understand Advent except that it had something to do with it almost being Christmas and lighting 5 candles. The celebration of Advent is rich with symbolism and tradition... I would like to do it justice.