THE EDITOR, Sir:
FOR THE sake of level-headedness and sobriety I feel constrained to respond to Devon Dick's article of Tuesday, July 20, suggesting that Bob Marley be regarded as a liberation theologian in the context of the Christian understanding of who a theologian is.
No doubt, Bob Marley was a cultural/musical phenomenon, lyrical genius and extraordinary social commentator. Of his posthumous larger-than-life status Jamaicans of the diaspora are duly proud. However we do not expect legend-making and myth-creation from pastors of the Christian church such as Devon Dick who very often have to defend the authority, authenticity, historicity and veracity of Scripture against detractors who would undermine its relevance with charges of being myths, legends and distortions of history.
We all love Bob Marley as a cultural icon but he was no theologian or gospel poet/song writer or ever will be in the mould of Isaac Watt.
No disrespect to Bob but let us earnestly contend for the integrity of the Christian faith and its genuine proponents. One or two useful cross-over songs doth not a theologian make.
By the way, the fundamental meaning of a theologian is not merely a 'god-talker' but one who practised genuine piety. Devon Dick should know this.
I am, etc.,
Errol Findlay
etn_findlay@sympatico.ca
2256 Ireland Drive,
Burlington, Ontario
