Practicing Theology: Beliefs and Practices in Christian Life
In this collection of essays, 13 contemporary Christian theologians examine the Christian Church as a community whose faith, fellowship, and worship are experienced and actuated in an array of practices. Practices in the Christian Church are "things Christian people do together over time to address fundamental human needs in response to and in the light of God's active presence for the life of the world." Editors Volf (theology, Yale Divinity Sch.; Exclusion and Embrace) and Bass (Valparaiso Univ.; Receiving the Day) contribute the first and last of the essays, which serve as bookend pieces, while the remaining essays are arranged in two clusters. The first group addresses how and why theological reflection on practices is crucial to ministry; the second offers programmatic proposals for the discipline of theology and the education of academicians and pastors. Volf's concluding essay suggests that theology itself is a practice, helping Christians to understand, reformulate, and integrate beliefs in an ever-changing world. Recommended not only for seminary and university libraries but for libraries with an active religious studies circulation. David I. Fulton, Our Lady of Victories Church, Baptistown, NJCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.