What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Think Theologically
For over fifteen years, How to Think Theologically has served as the ideal primer on the work of theology for students at all levels of study. Stone and Duke contend that theology is not an optional, esoteric discipline, but one that every Christian person is called to do, and thus they welcome everyone to the essential, vibrant work of making religious sense of concrete life situations.The third edition of this popular book retains all of the lucid and lively text that marked the previous editions. On this already strong foundation, case studies and bibliographies are updated, and several helpful pedagogical elements are added.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 1996
151 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Howard W. Stone
31 books5 followersHoward W. Stone, Ph.D., is a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, a pastoral counselor, the author or editor of many books in the Fortress Press Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling series, and a professor emeritus at Texas Christian University.
- http://www.christianbook.com/crisis-c...
- http://www.christianbook.com/crisis-c...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 27, 2016
This book is an introduction on doing theology. It is an extremely helpful resource for all believers. Theology is faith seeking understanding. Any time we contemplate or try to clarify what we believe about God's self-revelation, and any time we formulate actions that correspond to that understanding, we are doing theology.
That being said, Stone and Duke make it clear that all of us are theologians. The question is, are we good at it?
One element of this book I really appreciate is the articulation of the difference between embedded theology and deliberative theology. Embedded theology is our understanding of the faith that has come to us through Sunday School, sermons we heard growing up, and the Christian subculture in which we were raised. When someone says, "I love my church because they believe what I have always believed," that's a code for, "this is my embedded theology." On the other hand, deliberative theology includes our convictions that come from serious thought and study. Conclusions from embedded theology aren't necessarily bad, but they aren't necessarily good either. People that live based on embedded convictions alone will be weak minded doctrinally and targets for fringe errors and extremes.
The purpose of the book is to help believers turn their embedded theology into deliberative theology. The authors demonstrate how one can and ought to critique his embedded theology with Scripture and an open mind.
It's a simple but important resource that addresses a massive need in today's Christian landscape.
That being said, Stone and Duke make it clear that all of us are theologians. The question is, are we good at it?
One element of this book I really appreciate is the articulation of the difference between embedded theology and deliberative theology. Embedded theology is our understanding of the faith that has come to us through Sunday School, sermons we heard growing up, and the Christian subculture in which we were raised. When someone says, "I love my church because they believe what I have always believed," that's a code for, "this is my embedded theology." On the other hand, deliberative theology includes our convictions that come from serious thought and study. Conclusions from embedded theology aren't necessarily bad, but they aren't necessarily good either. People that live based on embedded convictions alone will be weak minded doctrinally and targets for fringe errors and extremes.
The purpose of the book is to help believers turn their embedded theology into deliberative theology. The authors demonstrate how one can and ought to critique his embedded theology with Scripture and an open mind.
It's a simple but important resource that addresses a massive need in today's Christian landscape.
January 11, 2022
A worthwhile introduction to the craft of theology and how to think theologically. The authors rightly demonstrate that all Christians, in some sense, are theologians. They begin by attempting to define theology (borrowing from Anselm and Augustine, they settle for “faith seeking understanding”). Next, they helpfully delineate the distinction between embedded theology and deliberative theology (an important distinction). For the remainder of the book, they explore how Christians can responsibly deliberate theological matters—offering important tools, resources, templates, and methodologies to use along the way. They correctly note that theology should always be done in community, through a process critical inquiry, analysis, interpretation, judgment, and response. Their conclusion offers some crucial advice: while deliberative theology, academic research, and critical thinking are all important, these things should never supplant those elements of our faith that are relational and experiential. Spiritual formation and communion with God through worship, liturgy, prayer, Bible reading, meditation, etc. are vitally important to the Christian theologian; we must never lose sight of “the aim of our charge.” I did find the book to be pretty dry throughout—and at times, I found it difficult to remain engaged. Nevertheless, it’s a useful and more-than-adequate primer on theological studies for those interested.
May 13, 2021
It is important to be conscious that every person that thinks and reflects about God is a theologian. From a christian view, theological reflection can me be defined as "faith after understanding".
This is a great book that helps us to structure our theological thinking. Theology can be a difficult science to define their limits. Especially because someone can say that everything can make us think about God. This book gives us what is the theological thinking about and what are their limits.
"The whole point of theology is to understand the meaning of God´s message to the world today" (p.36)
The authors states that our theological thinking can be divided in two categories: embedded theology (our initial or implicit understandings) and deliberative theology (our quest for greater understanding). Deliberative theology questions what had been taken for granted. This book motivates us to question our believes in order to seek for a better understanding and explain to us how that better understanding can affect our reality. It gives us the right tools and definitions to structure our theological thinking in a logical and understandable way. This book makes us be intentionally less dogmatic in our believes, motivates us (as a church) to find the meaning of the christian message for today and teaches how can we can communicate those truths to others in a understandable way.
This is a great book that helps us to structure our theological thinking. Theology can be a difficult science to define their limits. Especially because someone can say that everything can make us think about God. This book gives us what is the theological thinking about and what are their limits.
"The whole point of theology is to understand the meaning of God´s message to the world today" (p.36)
The authors states that our theological thinking can be divided in two categories: embedded theology (our initial or implicit understandings) and deliberative theology (our quest for greater understanding). Deliberative theology questions what had been taken for granted. This book motivates us to question our believes in order to seek for a better understanding and explain to us how that better understanding can affect our reality. It gives us the right tools and definitions to structure our theological thinking in a logical and understandable way. This book makes us be intentionally less dogmatic in our believes, motivates us (as a church) to find the meaning of the christian message for today and teaches how can we can communicate those truths to others in a understandable way.
December 22, 2020
How have you come to believe what you believe about God? How do you test and sharpen what you believe? And how do you think about other theological perspectives? ..... do these questions make you nervous?
All Christians should be asking these types of questions. This book will help you sort some of these things out.
Great read, though I did find its style a bit hard to track with at times.
All Christians should be asking these types of questions. This book will help you sort some of these things out.
Great read, though I did find its style a bit hard to track with at times.
February 16, 2015
Though this was course required reading, it was my second time reading through this book. The text challenges the reader to understand one's context and embedded theology while actively working to think from outside of that framework. It's a good primer for anyone studying theology in an academic program or in preparation for ministry.
February 10, 2013
A required reading for my capstone course. Pretty dry.
October 19, 2018
I had a conversation with a friend recently about whether I can/should in good conscience include the books I read for my seminary classes in my Goodreads collection, and he said absolutely, which is all the affirmation I need. I will stipulate that I will only include the ones I do actually read in their entirety (therefore, you won't see me adding Introduction to Hebrew, for instance). It's just a weird adjustment because, previously, Goodreads has always been a place to record what I've read for pleasure or my own enjoyment, but anyone who looks at my reviews with any regularity can see I certainly have not taken pleasure in everything I've read in my free time, so whether I liked a book or would recommend it to others need not be part of the criteria for including it in my Goodreads collection.
That being said, I will make it clear when I'm reviewing a book that was required reading for a grad-school class, as this one was.
Good things about this book: it's short, it's easy to read and understand, it makes some salient, basic points about theological reflection.
Not-great things about this book: it feels like it's geared toward a more elementary theology student than I am, it didn't go as deep as I would've preferred, and I don't feel I personally got much from it.
I AM a first-year seminary student, and my professor assigned this book solely for the purpose of asking us to write a review of it. He isn't technically "teaching" the book to the class, we've had no discussion of it or its concepts in the classroom setting, and we only had a period of one week to read it and write the assigned review. So now that I've made it clear that I'm not throwing my theology professor under the bus in my assessment of the book, my main critique of it is simply that it's too shallow to be used anywhere but perhaps a first-year theology or religion class in UNDERgraduate education.
It's certainly too advanced for a new Christian or a young Christian, but it would be a great book to teach in a low-level undergrad class full of students who envision themselves continuing to study theology or go into the ministry one day. Another place where this book might be useful would be in a small group setting of intellectually minded lay Christians who want to talk about theological concepts but haven't been formally trained to do so. This is an introductory type of book to theological reflection and conversation, and anyone who has spent any time at all in a formal theological setting (whether academia or elsewhere) will find it too elementary.
All that being said, there is some good stuff in this book, and I do not consider it to have been a wasted read, especially since my goal for reading it was to review it (and no, THIS is not the review I'm turning in as my assignment!)--but I think it's important to be clear about the kind of audience this book would really be worthwhile for because that audience is much narrower than the authors of this book would like to believe.
That being said, I will make it clear when I'm reviewing a book that was required reading for a grad-school class, as this one was.
Good things about this book: it's short, it's easy to read and understand, it makes some salient, basic points about theological reflection.
Not-great things about this book: it feels like it's geared toward a more elementary theology student than I am, it didn't go as deep as I would've preferred, and I don't feel I personally got much from it.
I AM a first-year seminary student, and my professor assigned this book solely for the purpose of asking us to write a review of it. He isn't technically "teaching" the book to the class, we've had no discussion of it or its concepts in the classroom setting, and we only had a period of one week to read it and write the assigned review. So now that I've made it clear that I'm not throwing my theology professor under the bus in my assessment of the book, my main critique of it is simply that it's too shallow to be used anywhere but perhaps a first-year theology or religion class in UNDERgraduate education.
It's certainly too advanced for a new Christian or a young Christian, but it would be a great book to teach in a low-level undergrad class full of students who envision themselves continuing to study theology or go into the ministry one day. Another place where this book might be useful would be in a small group setting of intellectually minded lay Christians who want to talk about theological concepts but haven't been formally trained to do so. This is an introductory type of book to theological reflection and conversation, and anyone who has spent any time at all in a formal theological setting (whether academia or elsewhere) will find it too elementary.
All that being said, there is some good stuff in this book, and I do not consider it to have been a wasted read, especially since my goal for reading it was to review it (and no, THIS is not the review I'm turning in as my assignment!)--but I think it's important to be clear about the kind of audience this book would really be worthwhile for because that audience is much narrower than the authors of this book would like to believe.
October 1, 2024
In an ideal world, everybody would read this book. In an ideal world, this book would be required reading to graduate from elementary school. Okay that's a bit exaggerated -- required reading to graduate from high school.
This is because theology needs to be done in community. I quote:
> [Indeed,] theological reflection is insufficient if it is done in isolation. Theological reflection occurs in the context of community. Because it is communal, it is also collaborative and dialogical. Even though we eventually come up with our own unique operational theology, its formation occurs in testing, sharing, talking, and listening to others.
If you and I both read this book, when we have a dispute -- maybe over hymnbooks or something else -- then if we say. "Let's look at this biblically." We understand each other. Naturally, we each want to prove that we are right, but we now engage in a process of exploration and discovery.
Even if I totally disagree with you, it is edifying for me that we looked at the issue through the Gospel, the Human Condition and Vocation, and went further from there. Although we have different answers to the questions, I could, in the years to come, reflect on your answers and eventually it might make sense to me and the process leads to my correction.
So the experience is not of two warriors grappling in the octagon, trying to bash the other senseless, but it is of two seekers continually exploring the divine landscape in search of truth. Sharing what they have found in hopes that the other will join them on the correct path.
In conclusion, this book is not the only way to learn how to think theologically. But it might be the most concise and practical guide for all Christians in that process.
Full 3,267 word Review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...
This is because theology needs to be done in community. I quote:
> [Indeed,] theological reflection is insufficient if it is done in isolation. Theological reflection occurs in the context of community. Because it is communal, it is also collaborative and dialogical. Even though we eventually come up with our own unique operational theology, its formation occurs in testing, sharing, talking, and listening to others.
If you and I both read this book, when we have a dispute -- maybe over hymnbooks or something else -- then if we say. "Let's look at this biblically." We understand each other. Naturally, we each want to prove that we are right, but we now engage in a process of exploration and discovery.
Even if I totally disagree with you, it is edifying for me that we looked at the issue through the Gospel, the Human Condition and Vocation, and went further from there. Although we have different answers to the questions, I could, in the years to come, reflect on your answers and eventually it might make sense to me and the process leads to my correction.
So the experience is not of two warriors grappling in the octagon, trying to bash the other senseless, but it is of two seekers continually exploring the divine landscape in search of truth. Sharing what they have found in hopes that the other will join them on the correct path.
In conclusion, this book is not the only way to learn how to think theologically. But it might be the most concise and practical guide for all Christians in that process.
Full 3,267 word Review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...
April 3, 2022
This is a good book that helps articulate the importance of not only living in community, but thinking in community as well.
"The human condition is so multi-faceted and complex that no single concept is adequate to describe it. A multiplicity of terms must be used in order to capture its full meaning."
"Christian views of sin seem to fall into four clusters, in which sin is viewed primarily as ignorance, corruptible morality, broken relationships or alienation, and bondage or oppression. There are also four corresponding clusters of theological themes regarding salvation: bringing true knowledge, incorruptible immortality, reconciliation (justification), and freedom. Finally, there are four parallel clusters concerning the means of salvation, in which Jesus is viewed as the teacher of wisdom, the victor over death, the crucified and risen one who restores a right relationship with God, and the Liberator." (89)
All of us are ceaseless interpreters; that is, we are finders and givers of meanings." (30)
"We are called to know God and ourselves more deeply and to pull together the consequences of that knowledge for our own lives and the world at large." (26)
"It is tempting to do research and sort through data (observe and analyze) until kingdom come. But there is a reason why judgment, by whatever name, is a part of every critical method in every discipline. Critical thinking that stagnates at observation and analysis is self-indulgent. We have to decide...We form views, take a stand, commit ourselves, choose a course of action." (119)
"The human condition is so multi-faceted and complex that no single concept is adequate to describe it. A multiplicity of terms must be used in order to capture its full meaning."
"Christian views of sin seem to fall into four clusters, in which sin is viewed primarily as ignorance, corruptible morality, broken relationships or alienation, and bondage or oppression. There are also four corresponding clusters of theological themes regarding salvation: bringing true knowledge, incorruptible immortality, reconciliation (justification), and freedom. Finally, there are four parallel clusters concerning the means of salvation, in which Jesus is viewed as the teacher of wisdom, the victor over death, the crucified and risen one who restores a right relationship with God, and the Liberator." (89)
All of us are ceaseless interpreters; that is, we are finders and givers of meanings." (30)
"We are called to know God and ourselves more deeply and to pull together the consequences of that knowledge for our own lives and the world at large." (26)
"It is tempting to do research and sort through data (observe and analyze) until kingdom come. But there is a reason why judgment, by whatever name, is a part of every critical method in every discipline. Critical thinking that stagnates at observation and analysis is self-indulgent. We have to decide...We form views, take a stand, commit ourselves, choose a course of action." (119)
October 7, 2022
I only skimmed this one, but it's good. I thought it would be too academic, but it's written with good examples and helps you see the point of bringing the Bible from a list of Sunday-school-story-beliefs to an active way of thinking and living. It's not so practical that it could be something like a curriculum for a Bible study, but it's a good thought exercise for how to intentionally gear your mind—sometimes moment by moment through your day—to think theologically.
I got this book hoping I could help our young adults class learn to live not by emotions, but by theology. This book was not quite what I was hoping for there, but it was a good framework to help me think about thinking about theology. E.g. When I'm teaching/preaching/helping someone, am I trying to help them understand something? Or shape their framework? Or believe something deeper? Or get to the root of their beliefs/actions?
I got this book hoping I could help our young adults class learn to live not by emotions, but by theology. This book was not quite what I was hoping for there, but it was a good framework to help me think about thinking about theology. E.g. When I'm teaching/preaching/helping someone, am I trying to help them understand something? Or shape their framework? Or believe something deeper? Or get to the root of their beliefs/actions?
May 9, 2019
Read this book for my Critical Thinking class at Moody Bible Institute.
The authors break theology down into two parts. The first is embedded theology which they define as "the implicit theology that Christians live out in their daily lives" (15). Deliberative theology, in contrast, is the "understanding of faith that emerges from a process of carefully reflecting upon embedded theological convictions" (18).
The rest of the book explains how to fashion one's deliberative theology by scrutinizing their embedded theology.
There were helpful points scattered here and there but I didn't find anything that really stood out. The book was just okay.
The authors break theology down into two parts. The first is embedded theology which they define as "the implicit theology that Christians live out in their daily lives" (15). Deliberative theology, in contrast, is the "understanding of faith that emerges from a process of carefully reflecting upon embedded theological convictions" (18).
The rest of the book explains how to fashion one's deliberative theology by scrutinizing their embedded theology.
There were helpful points scattered here and there but I didn't find anything that really stood out. The book was just okay.
October 3, 2020
Intro-level book on what theology is and what it tries to accomplish. I appreciate the emphasis on how theology arises not just from pure abstract thinking but from concrete situations that prompt deliberate thinking. A lot of it is mega broad since it doesn't try to argue for any particular theological method but instead tries to outline what in general a theological method looks like. Some of the terminology it uses is (in my experience) somewhat idiosyncratic, and not what I would consider standard so I was confused at some points.
August 17, 2024
Theology is faith seeking understanding through reflection, learning and conversation. This book is informative, packed with information and equipping. The writers share how everyone can develop their theological understanding, regardless of their aptitude but that it is a multi-disciplinary process requiring many factors. I wish they would have referenced more of scripture as examples of the points they were trying to make, to show that scripture uses these tools. The biggest challenge of all of this often feels like time, time to do the thorough work to equip ourselves and one another.
October 16, 2018
A necessary analysis
Even after 35 years in ordained parish ministry, I found ´How to Think Theologically´to be a useful text that I would recommend to others to be read sooner, rather than later. It will affect how you read every theological text ever after (and that is a good thing!)
Even after 35 years in ordained parish ministry, I found ´How to Think Theologically´to be a useful text that I would recommend to others to be read sooner, rather than later. It will affect how you read every theological text ever after (and that is a good thing!)
March 13, 2020
This really is an excellent book, but I could not give it more stars because the Kindle version is fraught with errors. There is missing text and chunks of repeated text that make reading the book difficult. I hope they can get this sorted out, as it is a required textbook in my PhD program, and should be formatted with more care for the students who must cite it.
January 18, 2019
A good primer on how to make theology real in a Christian's life.
May 8, 2019
Introduction to theology and a call for Christians to think
more theologically. The authors present a decent frame for thought yet on the whole, the book is dry.
more theologically. The authors present a decent frame for thought yet on the whole, the book is dry.
Read
November 28, 2019Reread
September 30, 2020
Great food for thought
This book explains the heart of theology in all its various forms. It is easy to read and follow. I got a lot out of it.
This book explains the heart of theology in all its various forms. It is easy to read and follow. I got a lot out of it.
May 14, 2022
Careful with the kindle version
The kindle version is missing portions of the text. I found unfinished sentences and paragraphs compared to the printed version.
The kindle version is missing portions of the text. I found unfinished sentences and paragraphs compared to the printed version.
May 28, 2023
You could probably read just the first and last chapter of this book and get the same out of it as reading it as a whole.
May 2, 2024
I would recommend the read if new you are just getting into theology, as it is quite a basic understanding of what theology is.
Personally wouldn’t read again.
Personally wouldn’t read again.
January 11, 2012
Stone and Duke have issued a challenge to all Christians: each of us is encouraged to focus on our embedded theology and to develop it into a mature, deliberative theology. The primary reason for accepting this challenge, indeed the reason for all theological thinking according to Stone and Duke, is to “understand the meaning of God’s message to the world today”. The authors readily explain that theology is the job of all Christians, not just the ordained, because all Christians are called by God to live out their faith in their daily lives, a task made easier by having a working understanding of what their faith means to them. Once equipped with a method for deliberation of theological issues, a Christian can employ this method when making everyday decisions, as well as when wrestling with complex theological questions like those posed by seminary professors. Stone and Duke’s suggested method can be summarized in two broad steps: first, the thorough examination of both the issue and the embedded theology(ies) brought to bear by the Christian-theologian; and second, the systematic questioning of those embedded theologies to ascertain the extent to which they ought to be applied to the particular issue.
After a thoughtful and thought-provoking discussion of a basic method for reevaluating our embedded theology, Stone and Duke conclude with the admonishment that we must internalize and incorporate our newly embedded (and now deliberate theology) into daily living. Of course, the benefit of so doing is that once a Christian has internalized her theology, she can readily bring it to bear upon issues at home, church or work. The primary means by which Christians nurture their developing theology include attending worship and practicing such disciplines as regular prayer, reading and meditating on Scripture, fasting, confession, retreat and, for some, spiritual direction. Undertaking both the deliberative and the nurturing work ahead of time, according to Stone and Duke, is critical for all Christians. The challenges and issues to which our theology must be applied frequently present in times of crisis when we do not have the luxury of time to undertake extensive theological examination. Essentially, the authors’ goal is for us to so examine and nurture our embedded theology though the deliberative process that we re-embed a deeper and more informed theology into our souls. Therefore, let us challenge our understandings of the Christian faith against God’s word spoken to us in Scripture, the rich Christian tradition painstakingly preserved for our benefit, as well as our own reason and experience; let us develop and nurture this deliberate theology; and let us live out that theology in our daily lives so that we may ever more effectively carry on the work Christ has given us to do!
After a thoughtful and thought-provoking discussion of a basic method for reevaluating our embedded theology, Stone and Duke conclude with the admonishment that we must internalize and incorporate our newly embedded (and now deliberate theology) into daily living. Of course, the benefit of so doing is that once a Christian has internalized her theology, she can readily bring it to bear upon issues at home, church or work. The primary means by which Christians nurture their developing theology include attending worship and practicing such disciplines as regular prayer, reading and meditating on Scripture, fasting, confession, retreat and, for some, spiritual direction. Undertaking both the deliberative and the nurturing work ahead of time, according to Stone and Duke, is critical for all Christians. The challenges and issues to which our theology must be applied frequently present in times of crisis when we do not have the luxury of time to undertake extensive theological examination. Essentially, the authors’ goal is for us to so examine and nurture our embedded theology though the deliberative process that we re-embed a deeper and more informed theology into our souls. Therefore, let us challenge our understandings of the Christian faith against God’s word spoken to us in Scripture, the rich Christian tradition painstakingly preserved for our benefit, as well as our own reason and experience; let us develop and nurture this deliberate theology; and let us live out that theology in our daily lives so that we may ever more effectively carry on the work Christ has given us to do!
July 23, 2014
Good book for people who are interested in understanding Christian theology or in teaching it to others.
PROS: The book explains nicely the essence of theology and makes a very good distinction between practical and academic theology. It is precisely because of this that readers from both groups, i.e. all of us, can benefit from reading it. This edition also bring reflection questions that are excellent for group study or personal reflection.
CONS: Because the book is very introductory, the authors are forced to cover a lot of information and this gives place to some mistakes. As a member of the Church of the Nazarene and fairly knowledgeable about John Wesley and Methodism, I picked up some of those (Methodist quadrilateral, anyone?).
CONCLUSION: Godo book overall. Many people get some entangle in academic theology that they forget that theology happens naturally at church and it is natural in all followers of Christ. This book manages to demonstrate that using fancy words IS NOT the task of theology. I can see myself using it in small group settings with new believers or lay people.
PROS: The book explains nicely the essence of theology and makes a very good distinction between practical and academic theology. It is precisely because of this that readers from both groups, i.e. all of us, can benefit from reading it. This edition also bring reflection questions that are excellent for group study or personal reflection.
CONS: Because the book is very introductory, the authors are forced to cover a lot of information and this gives place to some mistakes. As a member of the Church of the Nazarene and fairly knowledgeable about John Wesley and Methodism, I picked up some of those (Methodist quadrilateral, anyone?).
CONCLUSION: Godo book overall. Many people get some entangle in academic theology that they forget that theology happens naturally at church and it is natural in all followers of Christ. This book manages to demonstrate that using fancy words IS NOT the task of theology. I can see myself using it in small group settings with new believers or lay people.
September 23, 2014
Much more than giving any sort of "answers" for major theological themes, this book introduces the proper questions that those of us engaged in theology should be considering. It may therefore be considered a good starting point and springboard but no ending point - the introductions to the various aspects of theology will give a reader a very light understanding of the different viewpoints that would require other books to go deeper. If you're at the very beginning of developing theological understanding, here's a good starting point. If you're already at least somewhat well-read expect to find yourself skimming this book but still finding it somewhat useful.
December 13, 2015
This book was a text in an introduction to theological education course. The book did a good job of surveying the field and in explaining theology in a way that respected both the result of existing scholarship and of the result of individual reflection. In addition to the main text, each section had some questions relevant to the area of theology being covered. These were very useful to stimulate class discussions and as a starting point for reflection papers. The book is not real long and covered a lot of ground. hike not comprehensive in all areas, it did a reasonable job of orienting one and providing a basis for further reading.
June 5, 2012
This book provided a thoughtful and structured approach to theological reflection. It's often a nebulous topic, and I think many people assume that it is understood when it is not. This book resented a solid framework for pursuing theological reflection in a way that is relevant to modern life. The authors provide the skeleton for this process, and demonstrate how the process can be applied to concrete modern issues. Well worth the read if the idea of theological reflection leaves you a bit confused.
September 3, 2013
This is a great introduction to Thinking Theologically. It is great for the budding/beginning theologian or for those who would like a refresher of the broad notions that can be forgotten or become clouded when going more in-depth in theology. I would pair it with Roger Olson's "The Story of Christian Theology" as the starting points for Theological Studies. This giving the assumptions and notions of the craft (as Stone and Duke like to compare it to) and Olson giving a history of the craft and those who have come before.
February 19, 2014
I read the ebook of this title. There appear to be several scanning problems, which made reading it difficult in passages.
However, I found it very informative and helpful. I'll probably buy a hard copy for my library.
The authors' discussion of "embedded" and "deliberative" theologies was very enlightening. The questions were appropriate and thought provoking and the suggested reading at the end of each chapter is very helpful.
However, I found it very informative and helpful. I'll probably buy a hard copy for my library.
The authors' discussion of "embedded" and "deliberative" theologies was very enlightening. The questions were appropriate and thought provoking and the suggested reading at the end of each chapter is very helpful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews