Reflections of a Jazz Theologian

Jazz Theology 101--with visiting professor Carl Ellis (Final Session)

"If the classical approach to theology has been called 'the queen of sciences,' the jazz approach to theology could be called the 'queen of the arts.' The latter investigates God's dealing with people in the joys and trails of daily life...The jazz approach is not so much concerned with the status of theological propositions as with the hurts of oppressed people. It is communicated not so much by a literary tradition as by an oral tradition. And it is not so much concerned with facts as it is with life skills: knowing how rather than knowing that."

"The great advantage of the jazz approach to theology is its requirement that people be involved with Truth.” Jazz theology invites us to participate in the propositions. To enter in to the Biblical story and know the truth so that the truth can set us free.

"Jazz theology is a participation in the basic patterns revealed in biblical life situations. It inquires not only what God did and said but how he said and did it. Further more, it expects him to do it again in a similar way in our lives...Effective Black preachers respond to current situations by theologizing creatively on their feet, just as jazz musicians improvise new music and enliven old songs in response to the feeling and needs of the moment."

When you read the scriptures, what tools or tips have you discovered to enter in to the text and experience the living word? How do you keep theology from being just informational?

Jazz Theology 101 with visiting professor Carl Ellis (Session 3)

Ellis puts it this way,

“…God is not just classical. God is jazz. Not only does he have an eternal and unchanging purpose, but he is intimately involved with the difficulties of sparrows and slaves. Within the dynamic of his eternal will, he improvises. God’s providential jazz liberates slaves and weeps over cities. Jazz can be robustly exultant or blue; God has been triumphant and also sad. Jazz portrays the diversity, freedom and eternal freshness of God. The genius of jazz theology is the theology as it is done.”

“Theology as it is done.” Something in us tells us that our knowing about God is to be more than an intellectual knowing. The demons could pass any classical theology exam but do they know God? We long for the kind of knowing that goes beyond the intellect without bypassing the intellect. The kind of knowing of God and being known by God that made God take Enoch early. The kind of knowing that rivals Moses and Joshua as they spoke with God face to face. The kind enthrallment with God that kept Jesus up all night in conversation with his Father.

Jazz theology helps with this kind of knowing.

It was J.I. Packer who said in his class work, Knowing God, that it is possible to know a lot about God without ever knowing God. How do we avoid this? How have you avoided this?

Jazz Theology 101--with visiting professor Carl Ellis (Session 2)

We need Classical Theology.

Carl Ellis points out its importance.
“Like classical music, the classical approach to theology comprises the formal methods of arranging what we know about God and his world into a reasoned, cogent and consistent system. Classical theology interacts in the critical dialogue with the philosophies of the world. It investigates the attributes of God and communicates primarily through a written tradition.”[1]

We are forever indebted to those who have codified and systematized the substance of our faith. Being able to “Know what we believe and Why We Believe” as Paul Little put it, is essential for being able to “give an answer for the hope that lies within.” Classical theology has done much to build our faith by helping us to see that there are good reasons and not just reasons that sound good for our faith. “Classical theology and classical music reflect God’s oneness. The unity of God’s purpose and providence is reflected in the consistent explanations and consonant harmonies of classical music and classical theology. The genius of classical theology is in the theology as it was formulated.”[2]

Yet most of us are bored with the classical approach to Christianity. Something gets lost in the propositions and proposals. Inspiration to lay our life on the line for Jesus rarely comes from hearing another 10 reasons why the Bible is the Word of God. It isn’t that we don’t care or that these things don’t matter. We need Classical Theology, but it is incomplete.

Classical theology engages our heads Jazz theology awakens our hearts.

[1] Free At Last, Carl Ellis
[2] Ibid., p

Jazz Theology 101--with visiting professor Carl Ellis (Session 1)

I have read Carl Ellis’ book, Free At Last?: The Gospel in the African-American Experience, at least once a year for almost a decade now. Save the scriptures, Free at Last?, has influenced my life and ministry more than any other book. One reason is that it speaks viscerally to me when it comes to how God was and is at work in the African-American experience. Carl Ellis does a masterful job of demonstrating how it is possible to “preach ‘the full counsel of God’ through our history, the way Stephen and later Paul were able to preach through Jewish history (Acts 7:2-53; 13:16-41).”[1]

I had never heard of this. I had learned that one can share the gospel through propositions or one's own personal history, that is personal testimony, but I had never considered sharing the gospel through the history of my people…what a radical, Biblical idea! My primary reason for my returning to Carl’s work so often has been not just for what he is saying but for what he is doing—Jazz Theology.

Jazz Theology is an alternative way of approaching ministry, spiritual formation, church and the scriptures.

How do you share the gospel? Propositions? Personal Testimony? Have you ever shared the gospel through the corporate testimony of your people like Stephen and Paul?

[1] Carl Ellis, “Free At Last? The Gospel in the African-American Experience,” (Downers Grove: IVP, 1996), p38

Free At Last?

Essential reading for the Jazz Theolgian. This book is for anyone who wants to see a master Jazz Theologian at work. Carl Ellis is the President of Project Joseph (www.projectjoseph.org) and seeks to bring reformation and renewal to the church.

It is his book that has influenced my life more than any other book, save the Bible of course. You'll want to read for what it says, for it is a fascinating look at how God was and is at work in the African-American experience, but if you stop there, you'll be missing out. Don't just read it to learn what it says, read it to learn what it is doing--Jazz Theology!