ABSTRACT
There are always choices to be made in theology, with some theologies and theologians being properly preferred over others. On the whole, ordinary believers understand this very well. In principle, ordinary language 'can everywhere be supplemented and improved upon and superseded'. So wrote J. L. Austin, who stands among the strongest advocates of 'ordinary language philosophy'. But in recognizing that 'ordinary language is not the last word', Austin also insisted to remember that 'it is the first word'. In theology too the first word should count for more than it does, even with professional theologians and students of 'the Christian thing'. It certainly should be taken seriously by the church's ministers, preachers and educators, who are the people above all who need to be alert to the ordinary theology and theologizing of those in their care, and to recognize the significance for their congregations of the learning context of their theology.
