From my limited experience in academia there is a constant desire to find something new to say. At many large schools teaching is often sidelined by the need to research and write.

Why does it seem like this has also happened in theology over the last several hundred years? As with everything else, theologians (or individuals who wrote about theological topics) are now a dime a dozen. Even in non-academic-intensive circles new books are being printed all the time. Do we really need them? If it hasn't been discovered by now, I would be willing to say that it's probably not worth the time spent reading.

Also, is there a "canon" of theology? Such canons exist in the realm of literature, although the modern era is attempting to destroy this notion by telling us that there are no classics. If there is such a canon, perhaps every pastor should just read it and spend the time he's saved doing other things, like visiting parishioners, serving the community, or otherwise participating in the public forum. This would save so much time and money. Or do you think that the information gleaned from reading the "endless number of books" (bad attempt to quote Ecclesiastes) is actually worth the opportunity cost?

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Davidius
Husband of Emily
Member of All Saints Anglican Church - Chapel Hill (AMiA / Anglican Church of North America)
Student: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, German and Classics