Useful Theology?

Often times it is seen that Theology is for the academicians, those ivory tower intellects who have no means of touching humanity on the ground level. However, this is not so. In fact history shows us it was the practical issues of the times that lead to many important moments in Theology. Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen makes a good point about the formation of theology:

Academic theologians currently have a great deal of freedom to pursue their own, often idiosyncratic, questions, but when theologians are pastors who teach the people of God, it is left to congregations either to receive or reject new theories. Often the worship of God has been a guide to doctrine. 

Christology: A Global Introduction p. 84.