Synopses & Reviews
Too often in the life of the church, theological reflection and the practical matters of leading and serving have been considered independently. The result has been the impoverishment of both Christian faith and Christian practice. In this groundbreaking book Ray Anderson reflects theologically and practically on preaching, worship, ethics, social justice, therapy, family, homosexuality, burnout in ministry, reconciliation in relationships and theological education itself. The result is The Shape of Practical Theology, a new and renewing foundation for engaging in Christian ministry. Anderson lays out his threefold goal as follows: to define more clearly the shape of practical theology as truly a theological enterprise rather than mere mastery of skills and methods to demonstrate the praxis of practical theology as critical engagement with the interface between the word of God as revealed through Scripture and the work of God taking place in and through the church in the world to deal with practical pastoral theology from the perspective of those who are on the field of play of life and ministry, where preaching, counseling and teaching does affect for many persons the outcome of the game Illuminated by stimulating discussion and helpful case studies, The Shape of Practical Theology is aimed at seminary students, at Christian educators, and at working pastors and counselors. Anderson's work, fascinating and fruitful, brings together the Word of God with the Spirit of God in the ever-changing context of real-life ministry.
Synopsis
Too often in the life of the church, theological reflection and the practical matters of leading and serving have been considered independently. The result has been the impoverishment of both Christian faith and practice. In this groundbreaking book Ray Anderson lays out a new and renewing foundation for engaging in Christian ministry. Illuminated by stimulating discussion and case studies, the book sheds light on how such a biblically informed and integrated approach addresses pressing real-life issues in the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [329]-338) and indexes).
Table of Contents
Introduction to practical theology -- The discipline of practical theology -- A trinitarian model of practical theology -- Practical theology as Christopraxis : hermeneutical implications -- A practical theology of ministry -- The Resurrection of Jesus as hermeneutical criterion -- The praxis of the spirit & a theology of liberation -- The church & its ministry : the latreia of Christ -- The concept of neighbor in the ethics of Karl Barth -- Sociocultural implications of a Christian perception of humanity -- The humanity of God & the soul of the city : where if the church? -- Practical theology as paraclesis : pastoral implications -- Theological ethics & pastoral care -- The Kingdom of God as therapeutic context -- The church's mission to the family in a postmodern culture -- Homosexuality : theological & pastoral considerations -- Clergy burnout as a symptom of theological anemia -- A practical theology of forgiveness : a journey toward reconciliation & healing -- The little man of the cross : where is God when we suffer? -- Memo to theological educators : a proposal.