Theologians Under Fire: Hypocrisy or the Heavy Cost of Truth? Facing the accusation, reclaiming the mission

Who is a Theologian?
Academically, a theologian is one who engages in the disciplined, systematic, and reflective study of God, divine revelation, and religious beliefs—often within the framework of a particular tradition. Theologians are typically trained at advanced levels (e.g., MTh, PhD), contribute original thought, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and participate in shaping theological discourse both within academia and the Church.

This definition distinguishes theologians from biblical scholars, who focus primarily on interpreting the Scriptures through historical, linguistic, and literary lenses. While biblical scholars provide the exegetical foundation, theologians integrate such findings into broader frameworks—exploring doctrines like the Trinity, atonement, ecclesiology, and eschatology. Their task lies in systematizing belief into coherent expressions of faith, often through disciplines like systematic theology, dogmatic theology, or philosophical theology.

Major contributors to the discipline of theology include historic figures like Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Karl Barth—each shaping theology across centuries with profound depth. In contemporary circles, theologians such as Kevin Vanhoozer, Wayne Grudem, Miroslav Volf, John Frame, James Cone, Sarah Coakley, Stanley Hauerwas, and Wolfhart Pannenberg have offered extensive work in areas like systematic theology, liberation theology, and theological hermeneutics.

However, in popular Christian discourse, the term theologian is often used loosely. We have, perhaps unintentionally, encompassed everyone—students, pastors, online content creators, even social media influencers—under the label. While all believers are called to reflect theologically, the academic realm maintains a stricter criterion: not everyone who talks about God is a theologian in the scholarly sense. Contribution to theological thought must be rooted in research, academic rigor, peer evaluation, and engagement with historical and contemporary frameworks of belief.

Thus, while the church may rightly call any serious God-thinker a theologian in the broader sense, the academy recognizes theologians as those whose vocation includes critical, systematic, and confessional engagement with the deepest questions of faith—and who do so with responsibility, humility, and scholarly discipline.

The Controversy: “Theologians are the biggest hypocrites in the world.”

This sharp critique—voiced by one of our respected citizens—was not whispered but declared loudly and provocatively. It reflects a deep-seated frustration, a lamentation over the apparent silence of the Church and its thinkers in times of injustice, corruption, and social decay. The statement did not arise in a vacuum. One vivid context is the recent regularization of 147 Assistant Professors in Nagaland, a move that stirred ethical questions and public concern. The accusation against theologians stems from this sense that those who are supposed to speak truth have remained too quiet. That theology has become detached. That pulpits have become safe zones of silence rather than platforms for truth. When the Church is expected to be the conscience of society and it fails to show up, it wounds. And those wounds speak—sometimes through harsh words like, “theologians are the biggest hypocrites in the world.”

Response: A Call to Humility and Clarity
Let’s be real, not just reactionary.

1. Yes, the Church Must Speak—But She is Not a Scapegoat
We do not deny the silence. Many pulpits have traded boldness for comfort. Many leaders have grown cautious, even complicit. But is the Church the architect of corruption? Did she draft the bribes, seal the deals, or write the lies? No. And let’s not forget: we are the Church. The Church is not just the pastor on Sunday—it is the Christian in every profession on Monday. Not just the theologian in a study, but the believer who signs documents, makes decisions, and represents Christ daily. If the Church has failed, so have we. To condemn the Church without self-examination is not prophetic—it’s performative. The Church has been an advocate for justice, love, and righteousness long before certain issues arise. She speaks out on corruption, social issues, and the moral decay of society, as it has always been her calling to be the conscience of the world—not just to be reactive, but proactive.

2. Theologians: Hypocrites, or Human Bearers of a Heavy Task?
To say all theologians are hypocrites is not just unfair—it’s cruel. Many theologians have wept in prayer, wrestled with injustice, and stood for truth in quiet and costly ways. Yes, some have failed. But so did Peter. So did Thomas. So do we. Theology is not immune to human failure. But neither is it powerless. When done rightly, theology is the conscience of a nation. Theologians carry a heavy responsibility, not just to interpret the Scriptures, but to ensure that theology serves the truth of the Gospel—challenging, transforming, and engaging society. Theology, when it forgets its roots in Christ, risks becoming just an academic exercise. But theology that clings to Christ becomes a force of transformation, standing with the broken, the oppressed, and the voiceless.

3. The Real Problem: When Theology Forgets the Cross
Our respected sir is not entirely wrong. There is a problem when theologians become institutional echo chambers instead of Kingdom mouthpieces. When theology no longer disturbs injustice, it stops being theology. It becomes camouflage for compromise. The answer isn’t to abandon theology. The answer is to return to Christ—the Truest Theologian, the Word made flesh. Jesus, the Word of God, was not a passive observer of injustice. He confronted it head-on. When theology forgets this, it loses its true voice.

4. Don’t Just Blame the Church—Be the Church
Every time we say, “The Church is silent,” we must ask, “Have I spoken?” When we say, “The theologians are hypocrites,” we must ask, “Have I lived my convictions?” Revival doesn’t come through accusation. It comes through repentance. It comes when each of us, as members of the body of Christ, takes responsibility for our part in the Church’s silence or failure. To say that the Church is silent is not to absolve ourselves. The Church, as an institution, cannot do it alone—it is not just the job of theologians to speak. We are all called to be active in the mission of God, to bring His kingdom to earth, to confront injustice, and to speak truth in love.

5. Let Theology Bleed Again
This is a call—to theologians, pastors, believers alike: Let our theology bleed. Let it weep with the hurting. Let it walk the streets, speak with conviction, and humble itself before God. Let it no longer be confined to classrooms, but carried in the cries of justice, in the lives of the faithful. For that is when theology becomes power. That is when the Church becomes unstoppable. It cannot be said that the Church only reacts to issues—it has consistently advocated for justice, love, and healing in both private and public spheres. The Church must not retreat into safe spaces, but must take the lead in confronting evil and corruption, while extending grace and mercy.

A Final Word:
To our respected sir—Your cry for accountability is noted. Your passion is heard. But let us all remember—we are either the Church standing or the Church failing. There is no neutral seat. But let us not turn on the Bride of Christ. Let us be part of her healing. For every prophet must also be a priest, carrying not just a voice of truth, but a heart of grace. To every believer: You are the Church. You are the living theology. Speak. Act. Kneel. Rise. And to every theologian: Let your knowledge be broken before the Cross. Let your words be soaked in both truth and tears. For theology that does not love, is no theology at all. “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face…” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

To our dear sisters and brothers—your struggle is not forgotten. Your pain, your perseverance, and your protest speak volumes. And yes, we are with you—as the Church. As someone from the theological community we share your burden. And yes, we will stand with you. Not in pride or defensiveness, but in humility, repentance, and faith—believing that Christ still builds His Church, even with cracked stones like us. The Church cannot be blind to injustice, especially when it affects those shaping the minds of tomorrow. This is not just an administrative issue—it is a moral one. It is a matter of dignity, stewardship, and justice. To be silent here is to abandon the very Gospel we preach.

But let us also pause and ask: What if we begin to call every government minister a hypocrite? Who then will run the government? What if we call every high-ranking officer a hypocrite? Who will guard the law and keep the system in check? What if we call all church ministers hypocrites? Who will lead the flock and shepherd the lost? What if we label every student body a hypocrite? Who then will advocate for the future of our young minds? What if we call every village council member or Gaonbura a hypocrite? Who will preserve the foundations of our society and settle disputes with wisdom? This is not a call to ignore wrongs. This is a call to balance truth with grace, and to remember that tearing everything down in frustration leaves us with nothing left to rebuild. We are not defending failure—we are pleading for faithfulness. We are not silencing critique—we are asking for shared responsibility. The world doesn’t need more fingers pointing; it needs more hearts broken for the same cause. So yes, we hear the cry. But let that cry move us to build, not just break. Let it move us to be better, not just blame better.

Subongtsungba Longkumer