Lay theologian explained

A lay theologian is a theologian "who is not ordained, or a theologian who has not been trained as a theologian".^[1] Lay theologians often have academic qualifications in other academic disciplines.

Examples

Notable lay theologians include:

• George Abbot
• Mortimer J. Adler
• Ethan Allen
• Joseph T. Bayly
• Edward Musgrave Blaiklock
• Nicholas Cabasilas^[2]
• G. K. Chesterton
• James F. Colaianni^[3]
• Nicolas Gomez Davila
• Fyodor Dostoevsky
• Jacques Ellul^[4]
• Thomas Erskine^[5]
• Jim Forest
• Rosemary Haughton^[6]
• Susan Howatch
• Aleksey Khomyakov
• John Lennox
• C. S. Lewis^[7]
• David Lodge
• Robert Magliola
• Marko Marulić
• Isaac Newton
• Johann Heinrich Pabst
• Caspar Peucer
• Dorothy L. Sayers
• Frank Sheed^[8]
• Uwe Siemon-Netto
• William Stringfellow^[9]
• Maisie Ward

Notes and References

1. Andrew Louth, Modern Orthodox Thinkers: From the Philokalia to the Present, InterVarsity Press, 2015, p. 247.
2. Web site: Nicholas Cabasilas . 2024-08-08 . www.britannica.com . en.
3. News: Roberts . Sam . 2016-10-14 . James F. Colaianni, a Theologian Opposed to Priest Celibacy, Dies at 94 . 2024-08-08 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
4. Web site: Gill . David W. . Jacques Ellul: The Prophet as Theologian . 2024-08-08 . The Gospel Coalition . en-US.
5. Logan . John B. . February 1984 . Thomas Erskine of Linlathen, Lay Theologian of the ‘Inner Light’ . Scottish Journal of Theology . en . 37 . 1 . 23–40 . 10.1017/S0036930600015908 . 1475-3065.
6. Web site: 1966-12-30 . Roman Catholics: A Theologian Defects . 2024-08-08 . Timef . en.
7. Scott . Mark S. M. . 2014 . C. S. Lewis and John Hick: An Interface on Theodicy . Journal of Inklings Studies . 4 . 1 . 19-20 . 2045-8797.
8. News: Kennedy . Shawn G. . 1981-11-21 . Frank J. Sheed, 84, A Lay Theologian . 2024-08-08 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
9. Web site: William Stringfellow, 1928-1985 . 2024-08-08 . episcopalarchives.org.