Reordering Theological Reflection
Reordering Theological Reflection

Author: Helen Collins

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2020-05-29

Total Pages: 147

ISBN-13: 0334058562

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What would theological reflection look like if scripture were the starting point? For many, beginning the process of formation the bible is already a natural place to begin, and models of theological reflection which start in other places can be hard to swallow. All too often, as a result, they reject the idea of reflecting theologically altogether, an outcome which is damaging for their future ministry and for the church as a whole. This book to re-discover the theological heart of the discipline of practical theology and develop new methods which take scripture and tradition more seriously. Offering an alternative to the usual models of theological reflection, this careful and helpful guide demonstrates to students the possibilities which emerge when the starting point for theological reflective practice

Biblical Hermeneutics in the Metamodern Mood
Biblical Hermeneutics in the Metamodern Mood

Author: Seán M. W. McGuire

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2024-07-23

Total Pages: 135

ISBN-13:

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Why do contemporary Christians seem to routinely talk past one another amid contentious theological debates? In this illuminating study, Sean M. W. McGuire argues that interpreters' lack of self-critical reflection on the process of interpretation and compounding cultural factors are problematizing interpretive practice. Thus, to work through difficult topics, Christians need to develop the ability to reflect on the complexity informing how they interpret Scripture, and how they see others interpreting Scripture, so that they can coherently and constructively discuss their interpretations with others. Grounding the study in the discipline of practical theology, McGuire utilizes the cultural theory of metamodernism and the hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer (1900-2002), together with a proposed revision of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, to develop a paradigm for observing and describing differences in biblical interpretive practice. Using current debates regarding sexuality as an illustrative example, the project reveals the complexity underlying contemporary interpretive practice, showing that amid this complexity the prioritization (or lack thereof) of theological reflection sources prompts certain interpretive conclusions. Perceiving the multivalent nature of interpretation, readers will be equipped to think carefully and critically about how they come to their biblical interpretive conclusions and how those conclusions inform transformed living in Christ.

Ministry in Conversation
Ministry in Conversation

Author: Andy Goodliff

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2022-04-13

Total Pages: 269

ISBN-13: 1666719285

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In this book of essays for Paul Goodliff, some of the loves of his life are put into conversation with the practice of ministry. Paul Goodliff has been a Baptist minister for nearly thirty-five years, in roles that have been local, regional, national, and ecumenical. Ministry has also been the subject of his own research and publications. Ministry in Conversation seeks to extend his work and offer new insights.

Evangelicals Engaging in Practical Theology
Evangelicals Engaging in Practical Theology

Author: Helen Morris

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2022-03-30

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1000546691

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This book aims to introduce a distinctively evangelical voice to the discipline of practical theology. Evangelicals have sometimes seen practical theology as primarily a ‘liberal’ project. This collection, however, actively engages with practical theology from an evangelical perspective, both through discussion of the substantive issues and by providing examples of practical theology done by evangelicals in the classroom, the church, and beyond. This volume brings together established and emerging voices to debate the growing role which practical theology is playing in evangelical and Pentecostal circles. Chapters begin by addressing methodological concerns, before moving into areas of practice. Additionally, there are four short papers from students who make use of practical theology to reflect upon their own practice. Issues of authority and normativity are tackled head on in a way that will inform the debate both within and beyond evangelicalism. This book will, therefore, be of keen interest to scholars of practical, evangelical, and Pentecostal theology.

Reimagining Ministerial Formation
Reimagining Ministerial Formation

Author: David Heywood

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2021-04-30

Total Pages: 110

ISBN-13: 0334060427

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The Church is currently experiencing a transition in the way it understands and practises both mission and ministry. It is to be outward-looking, engaging with the wider community, involving all its members in mission and clergy are to play the role of enablers and equippers of the ministry of the whole church. However, ministerial formation in colleges and courses throughout the country lags behind this emerging consensus. ‘Theological education’ is still largely based on academic models. Reimagining Ministerial Formation offers a new way forward, where ‘ministry’ comes to be about the whole church, and ministerial formation is about collaboration between clergy and laity. It argues strongly for a shift away from ‘front-loaded’ training, to a new focus on formation as a life-long process.

Peculiar Discipleship
Peculiar Discipleship

Author: Claire Williams

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2023-06-30

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 0334063086

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This is not a theology of neurodiversity. It is a theology from neurodiversity. In her ground-breaking and daring theological exploration, Claire Williams considers how the experience of God for an autistic person challenges and interrogates our normal theologies about knowing God. Demonstrating how her autistic perspective offers a distinct and fresh hermeneutical lens, Williams shows that a liberation theology of neurodiversity can gift the church a new way of understanding worship, practice, ethics and even the nature of Christian hope itself.

Charismatic Christianity
Charismatic Christianity

Author: Helen Collins

Publisher: Baker Books

Published: 2023-09-26

Total Pages: 205

ISBN-13: 1493442643

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What is the essence of charismatic Christianity, a renewal movement that stresses the Holy Spirit's work, the church's use of spiritual gifts, and the significance of the supernatural? Helen Collins gives a novel summary explanation drawn from the spiritual gifts. Through Scripture and doctrinal reflection, she shows that charismatic spirituality is a coherent, reasonable, and rich tradition with much to offer. Collins demonstrates how practicing spiritual gifts embodies a distinctive theology, making these practices carriers of doctrine. Using the Acts 2 narrative, she summarizes seven key emphases and associated practices: expectancy (prophecy), enchantment (miracles), encounter (healing), expression (testimony), equality (tongues), empowerment (evangelism), and enjoyment (worship). The result is a fresh introduction that is biblical, theologically robust, and practical, helping charismatic students to learn more about themselves and others to understand the movement and what it has to contribute to global theological discussions.

Pregnancy and Birth
Pregnancy and Birth

Author: Karen O'Donnell

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2024-08-30

Total Pages: 293

ISBN-13: 0334065399

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Pregnancy is a period of time that institutes great change in the lives of those who are pregnant. Regardless of whether a pregnancy concludes with the birth of a live child or not, there are experiences that are common for many people who are pregnant. Yet as a site of theological reflection pregnancy is underrepresented. This landmark book seeks to begin the conversation within theology about pregnancy, the positive and negative experiences, and the potential for pregnancy to be understood theologically. Chapters consider a number of avenues in this exploration, from early pregnancy loss to trauma in labour, from adoption to the end of reproductive years at the onset of menopause. Throughout, this book seeks to understand the resources that theology brings to the experiences of pregnancy as well as the situations of oppression and underrepresentation that currently exist. Allowing for intersections of race, parenting, childlessness, and disability, this book approaches pregnancy from different theological perspectives in order to complexify the theological response and engagement as well as produce constructive resources for both the academy and the church. Contributors include Chine McDonald, Julie Gittoes, Margaret Kamitsuka and Rachel Muers.

System and Story
System and Story

Author: Gale Heide

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2009-01-01

Total Pages: 317

ISBN-13: 1630877972

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System and Story is intended to develop a means for bridging the gap between critics of system and those who may find value in doing systematics from a Biblically oriented context. Narrative theologians have rightly identified and critiqued the development of system in academic theology. Unfortunately, they have not identified the ways in which systematic elements have always played a role in theological knowledge. This study demonstrates the inherent systematic tendencies that still exist in narrative approaches to theology, while at the same time acknowledging the appropriateness of aspects of the narrative critique of system. The reaction against Enlightenment modernism is examined from the perspective of the heightened role of system in religious epistemology. The work of Stanley Hauerwas serves to carry much of the conversation regarding the critique of system and a narrative alternative as it is discovered in communal formation. After "summarizing" Hauerwas' theology, if such a thing is possible, the final chapters explore the ecclesiological concerns of narrative theologians according to a more systematic rendering of pneumatology. A Biblical rendering of pneumatology from the perspective of the Spirit's role in ecclesiology allows for a modest (i.e., pre-modern) systematic presentation commensurate with narrative communal formation. Thus, the narrative attempt to once again "do" theology for the church is seen as compatible with a Scriptural (i.e., modestly systematic) theology of the Spirit.

From the Shores of Silence
From the Shores of Silence

Author: Ashley Cocksworth

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2023-01-31

Total Pages: 195

ISBN-13: 0334060966

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Feminist practical theology has emerged in the gap between wider feminist and wider practical theology. It celebrates distinctive concerns, arguments, emphases, and questions – unafraid to re-form practical theology in shape and substance, and to guide feminist theology towards the silences and stories of human lives that some professional theologies (including those shaped by feminist commitments) sometimes overlooks. Feminist practical theology is bold in exploration of doctrinal themes in poetic and prayerful modes, characteristically collaborative and in search of alliances with other advocacy perspectives. In the UK, such commitments have been exemplified by Nicola Slee, whom this volume honours. Chapters invite readers into wide ranging conversations that flow from young women’s experiences at university, poetic practice as theology, queer priesthood, theologies of critical masculinities, women presiding in worship, Black and decolonial theologies adjacent to feminist convictions, confrontations with sexual violence, rest and rewilding, and a post-menopausal Mary. Contributors are: Al Barrett, Gavin D’Costa, Deborah Kahn-Harris, Michael N. Jagessar, Sharon Jagger, Rachel Mann, Jenny Morgans, Eleanor Nesbitt, Karen O’Donnell, Mark Pryce, Anthony G. Reddie, Ruth Shelton and Alison Wooley.