From October 3-7, 2011 the House hosted a themed Consultation under the title Putting Humpty Dumpty Together Again. The Consultation was designed and led by Dr Hueston Finlay and Dr James Woodward.
As Clergy we are called upon to reflect theologically on all aspects of life. Many people with whom we come into contact - people who look to us for theological counsel - assume that 'theology' is one coherent subject. Our training, however, has understood 'theology' as a hotch-potch of often diverse and disassociated subjects. So we study the Old Testament as a separate discipline, not, for example, in partnership with our study of Pastoral Theology.
Old habits die hard but this Consultation attempted to do a bit of integrated theology; it had a go at putting Humpty Dumpty together again. We took our understanding and practice of the occasional offices (Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals) as a basis upon which to engage in this integrated theology. We looked at Scripture, History, Dogmatics, and Pastoral Theology as they combine in the real experience of worship.
To enable our exploration we had both expert speakers and also opportunities to take part in small group discussions. Our hope was that this Consultation would open new ways for us to imagine our theological thinking and its practical expression.
