Practicing Theology

by Volf, Miroslav

• ISBN13: 9780802849311
• ISBN10: 0802849318
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-10-01
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co

Summary

In a time when academic theology often neglects the lived practices of the Christian community, this volume seeks to bring balance to the situation by showing the dynamic link between the task of theology and the practices of the Christian life.

The work of thirteen first-rate theologians from several cultural and Christian perspectives, these informed and informative essays explore the relationship between Christian theology and practice in the daily lives of believers, in the ministry of Christian communities, and as a needed focus within Christian education.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(13)
Dorothy C. Bass
PRACTICING THEOLOGY, EMBRACING A WAY OF LIFE
A Theological Understanding of Christian Practices	13	(20)
Craig Dykstra
Dorothy C. Bass
Attending to the Gaps between Beliefs and Practices	33	(18)
Amy Plantinga Pauw
PRACTICING THEOLOGY, ENGAGING IN MINISTRY
Graced Practices: Excellence and Freedom in the Chrisstian Life	51	(27)
Serene Jones
Deepening Practices: Perspectives from Ascetical and Mystical theology	78	(16)
Sarah Coakley
Is There a Doctor in the House? Reflections on the Practice of Healing in African American Churches	94	(27)
Tammy R. Williams
A Community's Practice of Hospitality: The Interdependence of Practices and of Communities	121	(16)
Christine D. Pohl
Liturgy, Ministry, and the Stranger: The Practice of Encountering the Other in Two Christian Communities	137	(20)
Gilbert I. Bond
Little Moves Against Destructiveness: Theology and the Practice of Discernment	157	(28)
Nancy E. Bedford
PRACTICING THEOLOGY, BECOMING THEOLOGIANS
Beliefs, Desires, Practices, and the Ends of Theological Education	185	(21)
L. Gregory Jones
Hospitality and Truth: The Disclosure of Practices in Worship and Doctrine	206	(22)
Reinhard Hutter
Theological Reflection and Christian Practices	228	(17)
Kathryn Tanner
PRACTICING THEOLOGY, SERVING A WAY OF LIFE
Theology for a Way of Life	245	(19)
Miroslav Volf
List of Contributors	264