--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A true theology must be a preachable…" description: "\"“A true theology must be a preachable theology, and it must speak to the hearts and minds of believers, even if they do not have an earned doctorate in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/gerald-bray-102002_church-members_a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-the_2539644.jpg" --- # A true theology must be a preachable theology, and it must… ![“A true theology must be a preachable theology, and it must speak to the hearts and minds of believers, even if they do not have an earned doctorate in the field. Academics must not be divorced from spirituality or practical matters that affect us as ordinary church members. If we cannot speak to…” quote by Gerald Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/gerald-bray-102002_church-members_a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-the_2539644.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/gerald-bray-102002_church-members_a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-the_2539644.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/gerald-bray-102002_church-members_a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-the_2539644.jpg) > ““A true theology must be a preachable theology, and it must speak to the hearts and minds of believers, even if they do not have an earned doctorate in the field. Academics must not be divorced from spirituality or practical matters that affect us as ordinary church members. If we cannot speak to them, we cannot speak to anybody, and our theological pretensions are worthless.”” Gerald Bray ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Theology must be practical and accessible, not just academic; it should speak to believers' hearts. **In simple terms:** Theology should be relatable and practical. Key Takeaway Make teachings understandable. Themes religion education accessibility Mood reflective critical Type Church members Psychology Religion Theological Theology Preachable True Theology Theology Speak Preachable Theology:1 Psychology:0 Religion:0 Theological:0 Theology Preachable:0 True Theology:0 Theology Speak:0 Preachable Theology:0 When to use this quote - church sermons - faith education - public speaking Key Concepts practical theology communication Questions to Reflect On - How to bridge theology and everyday life? - What prevents academic theology from reaching believers? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [“If theology is to speak adequately of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it must be thoroughly committed to hearing “the powerful witness of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-c-berkouwer/if-theology-is-to-speak-adequately-of-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ-it/) [G C Berkouwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-c-berkouwer/) > [Science is the true theology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/science-is-the-true-theology/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“This will of God forms the heart of pure religion and at the same time the soul of all true theology.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/this-will-of-god-forms-the-heart-of-pure-religion-and-at-the-same/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“Calvinism furnishes us with the only theology of culture that is truly relevant for the world in which we live, because it is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-r-van-til/calvinism-furnishes-us-with-the-only-theology-of-culture-that-is/) [Henry R. Van Til](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-r-van-til/) > [The mere man of pleasure is miserable in old age, and the mere drudge in business is but little better, whereas, natural philosophy, mathematical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-mere-man-of-pleasure-is-miserable-in-old-age-and-the-mere-drudge/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Prayer and Theology are inseparable. True Theology is the adoration offered by the intellect. The intellect clarifies the moment of prayer, but only prayer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-clement/prayer-and-theology-are-inseparable-true-theology-is-the-adoration/) [Olivier Clement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-clement/) > [All true theology has an evangelistic thrust, and all true evangelism is theology in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/all-true-theology-has-an-evangelistic-thrust-and-all-true-evangelism/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [That which is now called natural philosophy, embracing the whole circle of science, of which astronomy occupies the chief place, is the study of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/that-which-is-now-called-natural-philosophy-embracing-the-whole/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [True theology is an actual determination and claiming of man by the acting God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/true-theology-is-an-actual-determination-and-claiming-of-man-by-the/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [“You will find all true theology summed up in these two short sentences: salvation is all of the grace of God; damnation is all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/you-will-find-all-true-theology-summed-up-in-these-two-short/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [There are ten church members by inheritance for every one by conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-ten-church-members-by-inheritance-for-every-one-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To a large extent, the American church has become merged with the world. It has adopted so many of the world's ideals and standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/to-a-large-extent-the-american-church-has-become-merged-with-the/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [What does it mean to be a Saint? In the Lord's Church, the members are Latter-day Saints, and they attempt to emulate the Savior,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-l-cook/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-saint-in-the-lord-s-church-the-members-are/) [Quentin L. Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-l-cook/) > [Plenty of church members are shaky about what they believe, while not many are shaken by what they believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/plenty-of-church-members-are-shaky-about-what-they-believe-while-not/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [“Don’t waste your time trying to explain yourself to people that are committed to misunderstanding you. Instead, commit your time to explaining who they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/don-t-waste-your-time-trying-to-explain-yourself-to-people-that-are/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) ## More by Gerald Bray > [“Saint Hilary saith these words plainly in the ninth canon upon Matthew: ‘Faith only justifieth.’ 14 And Saint Basil, a Greek author, writeth thus:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-bray/saint-hilary-saith-these-words-plainly-in-the-ninth-canon-upon/) Gerald Bray Explore all 2 Gerald Bray quotes ## More Church members quotes > [“Don’t waste your time trying to explain yourself to people that are committed to misunderstanding you. Instead, commit your time to explaining who they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/don-t-waste-your-time-trying-to-explain-yourself-to-people-that-are/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Plenty of church members are shaky about what they believe, while not many are shaken by what they believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/plenty-of-church-members-are-shaky-about-what-they-believe-while-not/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [What does it mean to be a Saint? In the Lord's Church, the members are Latter-day Saints, and they attempt to emulate the Savior,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-l-cook/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-saint-in-the-lord-s-church-the-members-are/) [Quentin L. Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-l-cook/) > [To a large extent, the American church has become merged with the world. It has adopted so many of the world's ideals and standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/to-a-large-extent-the-american-church-has-become-merged-with-the/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [There are ten church members by inheritance for every one by conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-ten-church-members-by-inheritance-for-every-one-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Like my parents, I have never been a regular church member or churchgoer. It doesn't seem plausible to me that there is the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/like-my-parents-i-have-never-been-a-regular-church-member-or/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [The same church members who yell like Comanche Indians at a ball game on Saturday sit like wooden Indians in church on Sunday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/the-same-church-members-who-yell-like-comanche-indians-at-a-ball-game/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [“The practical consequence of both of the teachings noted is to encourage homosexual promiscuity. Church members can engage in many short-term liaisons without raising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-wink/the-practical-consequence-of-both-of-the-teachings-noted-is-to/) [Walter Wink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-wink/) > [“What are you doing personally to make your church family more warm and loving? There are many people in your community who are looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/what-are-you-doing-personally-to-make-your-church-family-more-warm/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Churches must extend their influence beyond the lives of church members to impact the broader community that they serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-evans/churches-must-extend-their-influence-beyond-the-lives-of-church/) [Tony Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-evans/) > [We made four feature films with Sherwood Baptist. The wonderful thing was the church (members) volunteered. It was an awesome atmosphere of attitudes. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kendrick/we-made-four-feature-films-with-sherwood-baptist-the-wonderful-thing/) [Alex Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kendrick/) > [Jim Jones used highly-edited videos and photos of Jonestown, showing what a supposed Eden it was. People were interviewed smiling and working in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-scheeres/jim-jones-used-highly-edited-videos-and-photos-of-jonestown-showing/) [Julia Scheeres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-scheeres/) > [“Most churches do not grow beyond the spiritual health of their leadership. Many churches have a pastor who is trying to lead people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrin-patrick/most-churches-do-not-grow-beyond-the-spiritual-health-of-their/) [Darrin Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrin-patrick/) > [“The real moments that changed the world are when church members miss the meaning of a whole sermon, and take no accountability for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/the-real-moments-that-changed-the-world-are-when-church-members-miss/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“The superior types, he points out, are also sinners. Of course, they are nice church members. They don’t let all their dirty laundry hang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-knight/the-superior-types-he-points-out-are-also-sinners-of-course-they-are/) [George R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-knight/) Browse all 88 Church members quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A true theology must be a preachable theology, and it must speak to the hearts and minds of believers, even if they do not have an earned doctorate in the field. Academics must not be divorced from spirituality or practical matters that affect us as ordinary church members. If we cannot speak to them, we cannot speak to anybody, and our theological pretensions are worthless.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gerald Bray" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-bray/a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-theology-and-it-must-speak-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Church members" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-bray/a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-theology-and-it-must-speak-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/gerald-bray-102002_church-members_a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-the_2539644.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/gerald-bray-102002_church-members_a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-the_2539644.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/gerald-bray-102002_church-members_a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-the_2539644.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A true theology must be a preachable theology, and it must speak to the hearts and minds of believers, even…” — Gerald Bray", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gerald Bray", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-bray/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“A true theology must be a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-bray/a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-theology-and-it-must-speak-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-bray/a-true-theology-must-be-a-preachable-theology-and-it-must-speak-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```