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Lost and Found: Public Theology in the Secular Age
No one doubts we have quickly moved to what Charles Taylor called “a secular age.” How do Christian pastors, professors, seminary students, and others respond to the myriad issues now facing the Body of Christ? Following on a biblical and reformed understanding of public theology, Milton along with trusted theologians John Frame, George Grant, Peter Lillback (and a special contribution from noted Orthodox economist and theologian John Panagiotou) not only provide biblical responses to the issues of our time but in doing so give the Church a method, a way, to conduct faithful Gospel ministry in an increasingly hostile post-Christian world. A must for classes on ethics, sociology of religion, pastoral theology, and serious-minded Christians seeking insight that they might “Understand of the times” (1 Chr 12:32).
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2024
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About the author
Michael A. Milton
60 books2 followersMichael A. Milton and his family live in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the host of the national Bible teaching television program Faith for Living, a songwriter and recording artist, and the author of numerous books and articles. Previously he was the senior minister of the historic First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee and is currently Chancellor and CEO elect of Reformed Theological Seminary and the James M. Baird Jr. Professor of Pastoral Theology, there.
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October 12, 2024
My structured book review of Lost and Found: Public Theology in the Secular Age by Michael A. Milton. Published by Wipf and Stock, 2024. An additional subtitle on the cover: Christian Vocation in Context.
An Overview of ‘Lost and Found’
Lost and Found: Public Theology in the Secular Age is a book that helps us think deeply about the collapse of Western Civilization. “Deconstructionism’s pestilence felled a sufficient number of tall oaks … to create a dried-debris forest floor of yesterday’s ideas.” (p. xvi) “This book aims to assess, diagnose, and respond to the challenges of Christian living in A Secular Age (Taylor, 2009) The book is “an anthology of essays that seeks to be a guide, and trusted shepherd for a flock embarking on a treacherous journey.” (p. xviii)
There are 15 short essays / chapters. Each chapter is followed by questions for group discussion. The book has 15 pages of end-notes, and a 10 page bibliography. The primary audience is church leaders, although a wider audience of people that enjoy great literature will benefit from these helpful essays.
Contributing Authors
Dr. Michael A. Milton wrote several of the essays and is the editor of this anthology. Other contributors are John M. Frame, John G. Panagiotou, Peter A. Lillback, and George Grant.
From the Preface
Assessing – “Public theology is not political but instead an expression of the cure of souls. The vicar is not at the council meeting to oppose or propose a new highway. He is present because a highway can affect people.” (p. xx)
Diagnosing – “We render a spiritual diagnosis by gathering the variables and applying critical thinking and theological reflection.” (p. xx)
Guiding – “Out of our diagnoses, we offer a biblical response. Christian shepherds do not have to be experts in political theory to say that someone is mistreated, or someone else is profiting off of another’s misery.” (p. xxi)
Chapter 1 - Cry Aloud and Spare Not
The first essay is written by Michael Milton. Subtitle: The Meaning of Public Theology and the Secular Age. Chapter one begins by quoting Isaiah 58 (the whole chapter). “What is public theology, and is it biblical?” Milton defines public theology, and provides Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an example of a public theologian. “This is public theology: Text in context made plain for the good of those who hear and obey.” (p. 6) H. Richard Niebuhr and his book Christ and Culture is cited as an “essential book on public theology”.
Chapter 2 - For the Love of God
Milton develops this chapter under the subtitle: Nurturing A Christian Intellectual Life. He describes a “need for a structured approach to reading, retention, interaction” with significant literature. He cites The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods by A.G. Sertillanges. (p. 17) This section discusses how we should read. “Engaging with scriptures is a sacred gift — a bridge between supernatural and tangible realms.” (p. 18)
My full review is here - https://dougvos.com/lost-found/
Chapter 7 - Open Borders or Open Hearts?
Dr. Peter A. Lillback is the author of this essay, with the subtitle: Are Boundaries Morally Good? “Whether we call them migrants, illegals, strangers, pilgrims, foreigners, exiles, refugees, asylum seekers, or aliens — they flood our news and our borders.” (p. 62) This essay is exceptionally rich with wisdom for dealing with the current “border crises”. Subheadings in this chapter outline the concepts:
The American Historical Context of Immigration (p. 63)
Calvin’s Geneva: The Historic Reformed Perspective on Immigration (p. 66)
The Union of Biblical Wisdom and Compassion Define Boundaries Morally Good (p. 70)
Several Biblical perspectives can be enumerated to support wise boundaries, motivated by open hearts, as a superior alternative to open borders.
There are 15 essays (chapters) in total.
Strengths of Lost and Found: Public Theology in the Secular Age
Interdisciplinary perspective: Combines theology, philosophy, history, and cultural analysis for a comprehensive understanding of societal challenges.
Practical application: Offers concrete, biblically-grounded responses to contemporary issues, making abstract theological concepts relevant to daily life.
Historical grounding: Draws on historical Christian thought and influential thinkers, providing context and depth to modern discussions.
Intellectual rigor: Encourages the development of a structured approach to critical thinking and reading, fostering a robust Christian worldview and intellectual life.
This is only a partial review. See my full review here - https://dougvos.com/lost-found/
An Overview of ‘Lost and Found’
Lost and Found: Public Theology in the Secular Age is a book that helps us think deeply about the collapse of Western Civilization. “Deconstructionism’s pestilence felled a sufficient number of tall oaks … to create a dried-debris forest floor of yesterday’s ideas.” (p. xvi) “This book aims to assess, diagnose, and respond to the challenges of Christian living in A Secular Age (Taylor, 2009) The book is “an anthology of essays that seeks to be a guide, and trusted shepherd for a flock embarking on a treacherous journey.” (p. xviii)
There are 15 short essays / chapters. Each chapter is followed by questions for group discussion. The book has 15 pages of end-notes, and a 10 page bibliography. The primary audience is church leaders, although a wider audience of people that enjoy great literature will benefit from these helpful essays.
Contributing Authors
Dr. Michael A. Milton wrote several of the essays and is the editor of this anthology. Other contributors are John M. Frame, John G. Panagiotou, Peter A. Lillback, and George Grant.
From the Preface
Assessing – “Public theology is not political but instead an expression of the cure of souls. The vicar is not at the council meeting to oppose or propose a new highway. He is present because a highway can affect people.” (p. xx)
Diagnosing – “We render a spiritual diagnosis by gathering the variables and applying critical thinking and theological reflection.” (p. xx)
Guiding – “Out of our diagnoses, we offer a biblical response. Christian shepherds do not have to be experts in political theory to say that someone is mistreated, or someone else is profiting off of another’s misery.” (p. xxi)
Chapter 1 - Cry Aloud and Spare Not
The first essay is written by Michael Milton. Subtitle: The Meaning of Public Theology and the Secular Age. Chapter one begins by quoting Isaiah 58 (the whole chapter). “What is public theology, and is it biblical?” Milton defines public theology, and provides Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an example of a public theologian. “This is public theology: Text in context made plain for the good of those who hear and obey.” (p. 6) H. Richard Niebuhr and his book Christ and Culture is cited as an “essential book on public theology”.
Chapter 2 - For the Love of God
Milton develops this chapter under the subtitle: Nurturing A Christian Intellectual Life. He describes a “need for a structured approach to reading, retention, interaction” with significant literature. He cites The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods by A.G. Sertillanges. (p. 17) This section discusses how we should read. “Engaging with scriptures is a sacred gift — a bridge between supernatural and tangible realms.” (p. 18)
My full review is here - https://dougvos.com/lost-found/
Chapter 7 - Open Borders or Open Hearts?
Dr. Peter A. Lillback is the author of this essay, with the subtitle: Are Boundaries Morally Good? “Whether we call them migrants, illegals, strangers, pilgrims, foreigners, exiles, refugees, asylum seekers, or aliens — they flood our news and our borders.” (p. 62) This essay is exceptionally rich with wisdom for dealing with the current “border crises”. Subheadings in this chapter outline the concepts:
The American Historical Context of Immigration (p. 63)
Calvin’s Geneva: The Historic Reformed Perspective on Immigration (p. 66)
The Union of Biblical Wisdom and Compassion Define Boundaries Morally Good (p. 70)
Several Biblical perspectives can be enumerated to support wise boundaries, motivated by open hearts, as a superior alternative to open borders.
There are 15 essays (chapters) in total.
Strengths of Lost and Found: Public Theology in the Secular Age
Interdisciplinary perspective: Combines theology, philosophy, history, and cultural analysis for a comprehensive understanding of societal challenges.
Practical application: Offers concrete, biblically-grounded responses to contemporary issues, making abstract theological concepts relevant to daily life.
Historical grounding: Draws on historical Christian thought and influential thinkers, providing context and depth to modern discussions.
Intellectual rigor: Encourages the development of a structured approach to critical thinking and reading, fostering a robust Christian worldview and intellectual life.
This is only a partial review. See my full review here - https://dougvos.com/lost-found/
June 1, 2024
I was disappointed in this book and not because I have some issues with some of the conclusions. I found the positions poorly argued and it came across more of a lament about how bad things are now.
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