1. Experience
I wrote a theological reflection. You are reading it.
2. Exploration
This seems so simple!
3. Reflection
Are there any theological reflections in Scripture?
- Psalm 73 (NIV).
- Experience: “I envied the arrogant” (1-3).
- Exploration: “They have no struggles” (4-15).
- Reflection: “I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny” (16-20).
- Response: “I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds” (21-28).
- 1 Samuel 28 (NIV).
- Experience and exploration: “When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid” (3-5).
- Reflection: “He enquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him” (6).
- Response: “Saul then said to his attendants, ‘Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go and enquire of her.’” (7).
It seems that the latter is an example of a bad theological reflection!
4. Response
I like theological reflection. It is better than either (1) experience without reflection, or (2) reflection disconnected from experience. But there is such a thing as bad theological reflection. It isn’t a magic bullet.