MESSAGE
FROM THE
DEAN
Georges
N. NAHAS
|
|
In
the
academic
world
the
uniqueness
of
Institutes
of
Theology
resides
in
their
abilities
to
direct
the
minds
of
students
and
faculty
in
an
enlightening
yet
humble
way.
These
same
institutes
have
an
impact
on
the
ecclesiastical
world
where
they
give
value
to
the
concept
of
liberty
and
critical
thinking
in
an
endeavor
to
retain
all
that
is
of
value
from
historical
theological
knowledge.
Today’s world is one of rapid changes and even faster communication. Information can be transmitted in seconds in a format that is understandable and reliable to millions of people. With this in mind, theology both in academic and ecclesiastical environments should not be allowed to stagnate. The inherited wisdom of the Church with its intrinsic dynamics that served it so effectively in the past should take advantage of this new technology in order to deliver its truths to modern day believers. This can only assist us in keeping up with recent ideas, changing situations and thoughts with a clear and open-minded approach.
Our testimony has many facets that can have an impact on today’s world: some are internal to the Church while others affect the community of man and the very nature of Creation as a whole. Both in theoretical and practical matters the time would seem to be right for theological Institutes:
1. To extend their role in the Church beyond that of the traditional one of education and to embrace a more creative stance both with in the Church and the community of believers.
2. To place themselves at the center of the community as nurturers of enlightenment and inquiry.
3. To adopt and develop communicative tools that will go beyond the repetition of what past generations have formulated and reach out and embrace the age of modernity.
4. To rediscover and reaffirm Holy Scripture and Worship as having a central role in the daily lives of all believers, and to place theology itself at the heart of the community in a relevant rather than “historical” way.
5. To aspire to clarify the vision of the relationship between theology and pastoral care and the unity between theory and practice in the daily life of the Church.
6. To be leaders within the Church with regards to bearing witness of supporting openness and the development of science and scientists in their relationship to the social and human sciences.
7. To define a new framework suitable to allow questions to be raised and discussed concerning issues such as violence, the environment, communications, social justice and the distribution of wealth.
In a region that bears witness to a plurality of religions and cultural identities, where Christians are becoming increasingly a minority, undertaking such an evolution is an essential step in shaping the role of these Theological Institutes in the Church and the role of the Church in the World. I am full of hope that we will be able to define the enduring characteristics of our future endeavors and "to wipe away all tears from the faces of those beloved faithful" who long to see the Bride of Christ glorious, as our Lord desires.
Balamand, September 2nd 2005