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Slow Theology: Eight Practices for Resilient Faith in a Turbulent World
Outrageous headlines grab our attention. Social media offers us immediate satisfaction. Knee-jerk reactions reign supreme. And despite our constant connectivity, our lives increasingly lack true connection. In this insightful volume, A. J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta show us how to discern God's voice amid the noise of modern life.
Addressing deconstruction and doubt with honesty and humility, Swoboda and Gupta explore how we can fortify our faith to withstand the challenges of our culture. They offer readers everyday practices for slowing down amid the frenetic pace of Take your time making decisions. Don't settle for easy answers. Ponder mystery. Cultivate communal faith. Embrace the long road following Jesus.
Theologically rich and broadly approachable, Slow Theology will help those weary of today's turmoil reconnect with God and neighbor. The book includes a foreword by Glenn Packiam.
Addressing deconstruction and doubt with honesty and humility, Swoboda and Gupta explore how we can fortify our faith to withstand the challenges of our culture. They offer readers everyday practices for slowing down amid the frenetic pace of Take your time making decisions. Don't settle for easy answers. Ponder mystery. Cultivate communal faith. Embrace the long road following Jesus.
Theologically rich and broadly approachable, Slow Theology will help those weary of today's turmoil reconnect with God and neighbor. The book includes a foreword by Glenn Packiam.
208 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2025
123 people are currently reading
2406 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Swoboda
16 books172 followersA. J. Swoboda (PhD, University of Birmingham) pastors Theophilus Church in urban Portland, Oregon. He is executive director of the Seminary Stewardship Alliance, a consortium of Christian higher education institutions dedicated to reconnecting Christians with the biblical call to care for God's creation. Swoboda also teaches biblical studies, theology, and church history at Portland Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary, among others. He is an award-winning author or editor of nine books and speaks regularly at conferences, retreats, churches, and seminars. Visit his website and blog at www.ajswoboda.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 26, 2025
The thing that strikes me about A.J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta, co-authors for "Slow Theology: Eight Practices for Resilient Faith in a Turbulent World," is that they're slow and steady.
These are not showboating theologians. These are not attention-seekers. There's really not a page of excess contained within the relatively quick read that is "Slow Theology." (NOTE: I say "quick read" primarily directing it toward theology nerds who devour anything and everything theology).
Swoboda and Gupta are refreshing in that there are no real "quick takes" here or theological lightning strikes. Instead, "Slow Theology" leans into a deeper faith found in a gentler, more patient and, yes, slower way of leaning into our Christian faith by utilizing these eight practices not in a legalistic way but in a life-giving way.
"Slow Theology" is less prescriptive and more facilitating of deep faith in the busyness that has become our lives. I can't help but think this is an intentional approach to writing "Slow Theology." In a world of high-volume disagreements and knee-jerk Christianity, "Slow Theology" leans into eight practices capable of transforming and protecting our faith against cultural challenges and techno-impulses.
While I will admit I didn't necessarily resonate with every conclusion made here, I did resonate with these practices encouraging a more patient life of prayer and Bible study, a gentler pace for faith formation, an encouragement against rapid-fire decison-making and drive-thru faith practices and, for me most refreshingly, tackling our spiritual difficulties directly rather than kicking them on down the road.
Some of the conclusions, for example those around social media, feel a tad "easy" to me and more based in stereotype than personal experience. However, these are minor quibbles for a book that provides for a more soothing Christian life and more fulfilling and meaningful connection.
"Slow Theology" is ideal for personal devotional time, small groups and, in my opinion, young adult groups making that transition from childhood faith practices to adulthood faith practices. Even when I didn't agree, I found these ideas worthy of contemplation and valuable to my own life of faith.
These are not showboating theologians. These are not attention-seekers. There's really not a page of excess contained within the relatively quick read that is "Slow Theology." (NOTE: I say "quick read" primarily directing it toward theology nerds who devour anything and everything theology).
Swoboda and Gupta are refreshing in that there are no real "quick takes" here or theological lightning strikes. Instead, "Slow Theology" leans into a deeper faith found in a gentler, more patient and, yes, slower way of leaning into our Christian faith by utilizing these eight practices not in a legalistic way but in a life-giving way.
"Slow Theology" is less prescriptive and more facilitating of deep faith in the busyness that has become our lives. I can't help but think this is an intentional approach to writing "Slow Theology." In a world of high-volume disagreements and knee-jerk Christianity, "Slow Theology" leans into eight practices capable of transforming and protecting our faith against cultural challenges and techno-impulses.
While I will admit I didn't necessarily resonate with every conclusion made here, I did resonate with these practices encouraging a more patient life of prayer and Bible study, a gentler pace for faith formation, an encouragement against rapid-fire decison-making and drive-thru faith practices and, for me most refreshingly, tackling our spiritual difficulties directly rather than kicking them on down the road.
Some of the conclusions, for example those around social media, feel a tad "easy" to me and more based in stereotype than personal experience. However, these are minor quibbles for a book that provides for a more soothing Christian life and more fulfilling and meaningful connection.
"Slow Theology" is ideal for personal devotional time, small groups and, in my opinion, young adult groups making that transition from childhood faith practices to adulthood faith practices. Even when I didn't agree, I found these ideas worthy of contemplation and valuable to my own life of faith.
January 12, 2026
The premise of “Slow Theology” by A. J. Swoboda and Nijay K. Gupta is this: Taking the time to slow down and give attention and discipline to cultivating a resilient faith. And this book, too, is one to take time with as you read in order to glean all it has to offer.
“Slow theology is about wanting things to slow down not just when life is really good but all the time, because life itself is a gift, and every moment holds potential for wonder if we become attentive to the richness of the world around us that we tend to miss when we are in a hurry.”
In that, the book draws us to:
• Focus more on Christ’s words than our standing in the world.
• Discern God’s voice even when the world is yelling at us.
• Stay faithful to God’s mission even when the world believes and lives differently.
To help the reader in the above, they share eight practices that encompass values such as 1) slowing down with intentionality where we posture our lives with Christ as a journey, 2) resting in the tensions of questions and mystery, and 3) practicing long-suffering and perseverance.
I especially appreciate the call to resist the temptation to rush and essentially cut corners in our spiritual growth and our journey with God, as this is something we must often be intentional about in our “want-it-now” world.
Highlights:
“Loving God requires a deliberate cultivation of the kind of character that heeds his voice promptly when he calls.”
“Exposure to chaos can actually make us stronger when we face it well. Just as a tree depends on wind to grow its roots down deep, so too we need great difficulty to be able to go deeper into the life of Jesus Christ.”
“No matter one's theological background or denominational stripe, we will all, at some point, likely need to bear to some other trusted soul the raw and gritty conundrums of human existence and the questions this life provokes.”
“We need to study God, but it should never end there. We must seek, through that study, to also gaze into the eyes of God and find ourselves his beloved.”
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
“Slow theology is about wanting things to slow down not just when life is really good but all the time, because life itself is a gift, and every moment holds potential for wonder if we become attentive to the richness of the world around us that we tend to miss when we are in a hurry.”
In that, the book draws us to:
• Focus more on Christ’s words than our standing in the world.
• Discern God’s voice even when the world is yelling at us.
• Stay faithful to God’s mission even when the world believes and lives differently.
To help the reader in the above, they share eight practices that encompass values such as 1) slowing down with intentionality where we posture our lives with Christ as a journey, 2) resting in the tensions of questions and mystery, and 3) practicing long-suffering and perseverance.
I especially appreciate the call to resist the temptation to rush and essentially cut corners in our spiritual growth and our journey with God, as this is something we must often be intentional about in our “want-it-now” world.
Highlights:
“Loving God requires a deliberate cultivation of the kind of character that heeds his voice promptly when he calls.”
“Exposure to chaos can actually make us stronger when we face it well. Just as a tree depends on wind to grow its roots down deep, so too we need great difficulty to be able to go deeper into the life of Jesus Christ.”
“No matter one's theological background or denominational stripe, we will all, at some point, likely need to bear to some other trusted soul the raw and gritty conundrums of human existence and the questions this life provokes.”
“We need to study God, but it should never end there. We must seek, through that study, to also gaze into the eyes of God and find ourselves his beloved.”
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
January 25, 2026
Cultivating deep, abiding faith cannot be rushed. We need to slow down, and at times, be still. But how can we do this? You can start by slowly reading through this book and letting the words sink in.
In our current world, we can expect to encounter daily cultural and theological crises. In our hurry, we tend to respond with urgency and reactivity, many times with poor outcomes. Choosing to slow down and respond with discernment, which is based on integrity and faithfulness, is a much better way.
As you read this book, you will be introduced to what theology is and isn’t. Theology is not a one and done concept. It is best to remain teachable while on this journey.
We need to be aware of the pitfalls and dangers of rushed, easy and sensational theology. All too often, rushed theology leads to heresy. Why? Heresy often makes perfect sense to many who are seeking quick fixes and quick answers to theological questions and life’s problems.
I was impacted by Chapter 5 in particular, entitled Go To The Problems. Great advice was given on who and what should have the greatest influence and impact on your thinking, your life and the forming of your theology.
After reading this book, I am reminded that slow and steady really does win the race.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Brazos Press. All thoughts expressed in this review are mine.
In our current world, we can expect to encounter daily cultural and theological crises. In our hurry, we tend to respond with urgency and reactivity, many times with poor outcomes. Choosing to slow down and respond with discernment, which is based on integrity and faithfulness, is a much better way.
As you read this book, you will be introduced to what theology is and isn’t. Theology is not a one and done concept. It is best to remain teachable while on this journey.
We need to be aware of the pitfalls and dangers of rushed, easy and sensational theology. All too often, rushed theology leads to heresy. Why? Heresy often makes perfect sense to many who are seeking quick fixes and quick answers to theological questions and life’s problems.
I was impacted by Chapter 5 in particular, entitled Go To The Problems. Great advice was given on who and what should have the greatest influence and impact on your thinking, your life and the forming of your theology.
After reading this book, I am reminded that slow and steady really does win the race.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Brazos Press. All thoughts expressed in this review are mine.
January 7, 2026
3.5 stars! I liked it but didn’t love it. It was a good topic that I enjoyed and had some sections that were awesome but at other times it felt repetitive. I also wish there were more practical applications. Overall a good read that I would recommend.
One of the quotes that really resonated with me:
“It is easy to run away from the theological problems or difficulties in the Bible. Lord knows, ignorance is bliss. But chosen ignorance without the curiosity to learn and grow can lead, over time, to resentment, frustration, and anger. Don't run from the problems. Turn to face them. And remember that maybe that problem is the very place where God wants to do his deepest work in your soul.”
One of the quotes that really resonated with me:
“It is easy to run away from the theological problems or difficulties in the Bible. Lord knows, ignorance is bliss. But chosen ignorance without the curiosity to learn and grow can lead, over time, to resentment, frustration, and anger. Don't run from the problems. Turn to face them. And remember that maybe that problem is the very place where God wants to do his deepest work in your soul.”
January 24, 2026
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader. If you like this post, you might like others on that site. Consider checking it out!
---
WHAT'S SLOW THEOLOGY ABOUT?
We live in a hurried world, where untold information is at our fingertips (and the amount of it grows all the time), rushed "hot takes," we demand answers—fast—and seem to receive them on all subjects at all hours, we want instant results from exercise/financial investments/diets/self-improvement schemes. This is the atmosphere we in the West are immersed in, believe in, and live by. Quick Fixes, Fast Solutions.
But the Bible doesn't tell us to be that way—particularly when it comes to our understanding of God, His revelation, or our sanctification. Instead, we're told to patiently slow down, persevere, listen, and think.
The authors give us eight practices—practices, not disciplines, not steps, not a "just add water" approach—to help build this into our lives, minds, and hearts.
They include: taking a long view of faith, applying the Sabbath to our theology, talking to God through our difficulties, believing with the Body of believers, appreciating mystery, and perseverance.
That's probably an oversimplification of the book—but if I don't oversimplify, you're going to get a novella-length summary. And neither of us has time for that (especially when we could be reading/re-reading/chewing on this book instead)
HIGHLIGHTS
My practice with Non-Fiction books is to talk about the parts of the book that I found particularly helpful, informative, or whatever. In keeping with that practice, I should note Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapt—yeah, that's just not going to help. This book started off strong and went from strength to strength.
But there were a couple of things that really stood out to me. There's a good section on Asaph and Psalm 73. I admit to a little bias there—ever since a sermon series my pastor delivered in the 90s, the psalms by Asaph and his sons have been my favorite. But I think this section on Psalm 73, and the honest and faithful way Asaph dealt with challenges would've stood out to me regardless. Things don't all work out for Asaph in this psalm, but he knows his God is with him as he works through them.
I'd also point out the section on lament. I've pointed to books discussing it well a few times in the past (I'm sure, don't ask for examples), and here's another one worth turning to time and again. The authors focus on Jesus and David in this exhortation, and it struck home to me. In response to so much of the news lately—this is a practice I fear we're going to need to focus on.
DRAWBACKS
I'm sure there are some. I didn't take note of them on an initial read. Hit me up after a few re-reads, if you're dying to hear about any quibbles.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT SLOW THEOLOGY?
You ever read one of those books, and by the time you're mid-way through, you just know that it's going to be living in your head for the rest of the year or so? That was the case with this one by Chapter Two. Nothing happened to change my appreciation after that. This is going to be one of those books I'm going to be bouncing off of for at least 12 months.
I should say that I've never listened to the podcast by the authors with the same title. I probably should start.
This is a book full of wisdom. It's something to chew on—meditate on—to come back to and reason with. This shouldn't be something read once and discarded, thinking you've got it down cold. It's not about information or answers, it's about practice. (mentally insert the Heidelcast's riff on the "Not a game, not a game. It's about practice" quotation here, if you know what I'm talking about)
I strongly encourage you, reader, to pick this one up. I think you'll be rewarded.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group Nonfiction Reviewer Program. However, as always here, I read this book because it interested me and the opinions expressed are my own.
---
Wouldn't it be great if we were simply given simple and immediate answers to all our questions? Lord knows, it certainly would make all our lives easier if God sent us a quick note the way a friend would send us a text message. But the deepest questions do not necessarily deserve quick answers. In fact, the quick answer very well may cheapen the sacredness of a holy question. Moments like these—when we seek to understand as best we can the theological conundrums that Christians have been meditating on for centuries—actually demand from time to time that we resist the temptation to offer quick answers and shallow hot takes. Deep questions deserve deep responses, which require lots of time, energy, and toil. Sometimes, deep Christian formation is possible only when we embrace the unanswerable. To try to solve a question that has been wrestled with for thousands of years with a short tweet, YouTube clip, or pithy bumper sticker is the most dangerous and flippant of responses.
Not every question that we may ask about God can come back to us as a neat and tidy package with a pretty bow on top. We believe that the importance of creating space for unanswered or unresolved questions is modeled by the inspired Scriptures.
WHAT'S SLOW THEOLOGY ABOUT?
We live in a hurried world, where untold information is at our fingertips (and the amount of it grows all the time), rushed "hot takes," we demand answers—fast—and seem to receive them on all subjects at all hours, we want instant results from exercise/financial investments/diets/self-improvement schemes. This is the atmosphere we in the West are immersed in, believe in, and live by. Quick Fixes, Fast Solutions.
But the Bible doesn't tell us to be that way—particularly when it comes to our understanding of God, His revelation, or our sanctification. Instead, we're told to patiently slow down, persevere, listen, and think.
The authors give us eight practices—practices, not disciplines, not steps, not a "just add water" approach—to help build this into our lives, minds, and hearts.
They include: taking a long view of faith, applying the Sabbath to our theology, talking to God through our difficulties, believing with the Body of believers, appreciating mystery, and perseverance.
That's probably an oversimplification of the book—but if I don't oversimplify, you're going to get a novella-length summary. And neither of us has time for that (especially when we could be reading/re-reading/chewing on this book instead)
HIGHLIGHTS
My practice with Non-Fiction books is to talk about the parts of the book that I found particularly helpful, informative, or whatever. In keeping with that practice, I should note Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapt—yeah, that's just not going to help. This book started off strong and went from strength to strength.
But there were a couple of things that really stood out to me. There's a good section on Asaph and Psalm 73. I admit to a little bias there—ever since a sermon series my pastor delivered in the 90s, the psalms by Asaph and his sons have been my favorite. But I think this section on Psalm 73, and the honest and faithful way Asaph dealt with challenges would've stood out to me regardless. Things don't all work out for Asaph in this psalm, but he knows his God is with him as he works through them.
I'd also point out the section on lament. I've pointed to books discussing it well a few times in the past (I'm sure, don't ask for examples), and here's another one worth turning to time and again. The authors focus on Jesus and David in this exhortation, and it struck home to me. In response to so much of the news lately—this is a practice I fear we're going to need to focus on.
There is a wise saying that gets passed around: “To cry is human. But to lament is Christian.” Lament is the biblical practice that we have been given to process our hurt and anger with God and not just against God. Lament actually invites us to be openly upset with God, not to push him away but to invite him to respond. Not long after Jesus questioned the presence of God, he was raised from death to life. Lament, in the end, is hope-filled desperation.
DRAWBACKS
I'm sure there are some. I didn't take note of them on an initial read. Hit me up after a few re-reads, if you're dying to hear about any quibbles.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT SLOW THEOLOGY?
You ever read one of those books, and by the time you're mid-way through, you just know that it's going to be living in your head for the rest of the year or so? That was the case with this one by Chapter Two. Nothing happened to change my appreciation after that. This is going to be one of those books I'm going to be bouncing off of for at least 12 months.
I should say that I've never listened to the podcast by the authors with the same title. I probably should start.
This is a book full of wisdom. It's something to chew on—meditate on—to come back to and reason with. This shouldn't be something read once and discarded, thinking you've got it down cold. It's not about information or answers, it's about practice. (mentally insert the Heidelcast's riff on the "Not a game, not a game. It's about practice" quotation here, if you know what I'm talking about)
I strongly encourage you, reader, to pick this one up. I think you'll be rewarded.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group Nonfiction Reviewer Program. However, as always here, I read this book because it interested me and the opinions expressed are my own.
November 7, 2025
Slow Theology felt less like another Christian living book and more like a survival guide for modern believers. In a culture addicted to speed, certainty, and productivity, this book reminded me that faith was never meant to be microwaved - you have to put it in the crock pot. I didn’t find anything particularly “new” or “groundbreaking” in its pages, but I desperately needed its message.
Swoboda and Gupta walk readers through eight practices that help the church become resilient again: taking our time, embracing the theological journey, thinking slowly, pondering mysteries, going to the problems, letting pain be the altar, believing together, and never giving up. Each one is a gentle but firm invitation to trade our spiritual restlessness for rootedness.
I especially loved their reminder that “theology isn’t the goal, but it is the path we must take.” It reframed study and reflection as part of our worship rather than an academic exercise. If you’ve felt burnt out, impatient, or disoriented in your faith, Slow Theology might be the steadying voice you need to hear right now as it was for me.
Swoboda and Gupta walk readers through eight practices that help the church become resilient again: taking our time, embracing the theological journey, thinking slowly, pondering mysteries, going to the problems, letting pain be the altar, believing together, and never giving up. Each one is a gentle but firm invitation to trade our spiritual restlessness for rootedness.
I especially loved their reminder that “theology isn’t the goal, but it is the path we must take.” It reframed study and reflection as part of our worship rather than an academic exercise. If you’ve felt burnt out, impatient, or disoriented in your faith, Slow Theology might be the steadying voice you need to hear right now as it was for me.
January 30, 2026
‘Slow Theology’ was a breath of fresh air for one who, for so long, had gaslit herself into believing that she could never hold the title of ‘Theologian’. Let me just say that after reading chapter two, I decided to embrace this part of me that has been developing over the past ten years. If this book had done nothing else but validate the theological journey I have been on, I think that would have been enough. But thankfully, it didn’t stop there.
‘Slow Theology’ covered topics such as defining theology, the Sabbath, holding both theology and hard things simultaneously, and allowing our pain to point us closer to God.
And if you, reader, like me, have been afraid of the big word of theology and are afraid that anything under that realm of study is too much for you — fear not! This book was easy to understand and follow.
This book both encourages those of us on this lifelong faith journey with how we relate to God and seek Him, but also challenges us to step outside the lines we have drawn around ourselves, God, and faith.
I highly recommend any reader looking for both encouragement and a challenge to pick up this book and dive in. It will not disappoint.
‘Slow Theology’ covered topics such as defining theology, the Sabbath, holding both theology and hard things simultaneously, and allowing our pain to point us closer to God.
And if you, reader, like me, have been afraid of the big word of theology and are afraid that anything under that realm of study is too much for you — fear not! This book was easy to understand and follow.
This book both encourages those of us on this lifelong faith journey with how we relate to God and seek Him, but also challenges us to step outside the lines we have drawn around ourselves, God, and faith.
I highly recommend any reader looking for both encouragement and a challenge to pick up this book and dive in. It will not disappoint.
December 12, 2025
Even if this book is about pursuing theology in a slow manner, I read it rather quickly twice in one week as there was so much to glean from it. Each of the eight practices that the authors cover in approaching theology from a more deliberate pace are worth delving into at a deeper level, and I found that going through it again in rapid succession (how ironic!) only enhanced my experience of the book. Bringing in examples from the Bible, Christian history, and life today, it's a book that serves as both an introduction to topics such as the Sabbath, pain, and communal theology, and a meatier work to chew on as perseverance and complexity drive many of the insights that are provided.
I appreciate the call to resist fast and easy answers when trying to understand matters beyond human understanding, such as the Trinity, and the reward of walking with God as opposed to just figuring Him out for our own purposes. Undergirding this book is a sense of desiring to abide in Christ as the chief aim in wanting to know Him better; thus, this would make an excellent book for discipleship purposes. If readers are looking for a theology book that infuses life and spirit into why we choose to study God and how we can add to our knowledge about Him, Slow Theology is a vibrant guide to experiencing God that extends beyond our minds.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Baker Publishing Group for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I appreciate the call to resist fast and easy answers when trying to understand matters beyond human understanding, such as the Trinity, and the reward of walking with God as opposed to just figuring Him out for our own purposes. Undergirding this book is a sense of desiring to abide in Christ as the chief aim in wanting to know Him better; thus, this would make an excellent book for discipleship purposes. If readers are looking for a theology book that infuses life and spirit into why we choose to study God and how we can add to our knowledge about Him, Slow Theology is a vibrant guide to experiencing God that extends beyond our minds.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Baker Publishing Group for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
December 13, 2025
From the opening chapter of this book I knew it was one that would speak to me. The call for deep reflection and a pace that cultivates it is a major theme for this season of my life. Swoboda and Gupta have crafted a book where the mind can be touched through the heart. It is thoroughly grounded in Scripture, historical Christian and modern theological concerns. Yet, it maintains a beautiful devotional fervor that is inviting to the reader.
There is such a need for voices that call us out of our productivity-driven lifestyles to ones of contemplation. Here in these pages is suggested lifestyle with God that makes theology relatable. Touching on such practices as: pace, sabbath, lament, mystery in the journey, refusal to run away from theological challenges and life together in community, Slow Theology makes the pursuit of God highly desirable. Furthermore, the practices are laid out in a manner that connects you to the history of the Christian community guided by Scripture. This adds a texture that is often lacking in many contemporary spiritual works. And for me, this is why I consider that book a definite repeat read.
There is such a need for voices that call us out of our productivity-driven lifestyles to ones of contemplation. Here in these pages is suggested lifestyle with God that makes theology relatable. Touching on such practices as: pace, sabbath, lament, mystery in the journey, refusal to run away from theological challenges and life together in community, Slow Theology makes the pursuit of God highly desirable. Furthermore, the practices are laid out in a manner that connects you to the history of the Christian community guided by Scripture. This adds a texture that is often lacking in many contemporary spiritual works. And for me, this is why I consider that book a definite repeat read.
September 18, 2025
I am about halfway through this book, and I am enjoying it. I needed the reminder of how much of a blessing that God’s slowness is to us. It’s a beautiful model for us of how to slow down, and it’s also His way of being patient and kind to His children. Glad to be on a journey of being sanctified by Christ. I don’t have all the answers, but it’s so good that I can slowly learn more about God’s heart and slowly become more like Him.
November 2, 2025
A kind invitation to slow down and silence the shuffle for certainty.
January 22, 2026
read this one too fast, at least according to AJ. might have to read again soon!
January 21, 2026
Our world is easily prone to outrage, hurry, and having the answers for everything. When the news breaks of another tragedy, people are quick to anger and want to figure out who is right, instead of lamenting and letting hearts break. Our culture champions the lone ranger and applauds the one who made it to the top. Slow Theology is both a response and an invitation: to slow down, resist the rush to certainty, and relearn how to listen for God’s voice.
This timely book offers a fresh perspective on how to remain steadfast in your faith despite the cultural climate and current speed of life that surrounds us. The release of this book fits well into the wave of spiritual formation books that has surged in recent years, while holding its own with unique content and ideas. Co-authored by A.J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta, the book seems to be a result of their 4 years of hosting a podcast that holds the same name, Slow Theology.
As the book begins, they set forth their goal by saying…
“This book seeks to offer our readers eight biblically and theologically informed practices for how they can develop a faith that withstands the many challenges of the present world. Our conviction is that these challenges we face can, if walked carefully, make us deeper followers of Jesus."
I love the premise of viewing the challenges we encounter as opportunities to grow and consider how God would have us handle situations, because that is where growth and formation can take place.
The book covers eight practices that are counter-cultural to our fast-paced, individualized world. What are the practices?
1. Take Your Time: Learn to Linger with God
2. Embrace the Theological Journey: Take the Long View of Faith
3. Think Slowly: Applying Sabbath to Our Theology
4. Ponder the Mysteries: Answers Aren’t Always the Answer
5. Go to the Problems: Challenge Yourself to Not Run from the Difficulties
6. Let Pain Be the Altar: Talking to God Through Our Difficulties
7. Believe Together: One Faith, One Body, Communal Theology
8. Don’t Ever Give Up: Those Who Make It to the End Will Win
We all know that our culture is quick to avoid and ignore struggle, but this book aims to change that. Slow Theology holds much wisdom for the reader and offers an invitation to do things such as face problems head-on, enter into community, and embrace the long, slow journey of following Jesus.
This was my first time reading Swoboda and Gupta, so I didn’t know what to expect from their writing style or presentation. Knowing that both are Bible college professors (and the book has the word theology in the title), I was expecting there to be a slightly academic feel in the writing, but I experienced the opposite. I didn’t find pretentious theological words or rants on eschatology. Instead, I was greeted by a well-crafted book that gave the confidence of strong biblical theology, with the ability to portray biblical truths in a very digestible way. I did love the quick theological lesson squeezed in every once in awhile.
I recently had a friend describe Swoboda’s writing style as “down to earth”, and that is very accurate to this book. The authors did an excellent job of making this book accessible to a wide range of readers, those new to Christianity and those who have been following Jesus for 50 years. When it gets down to it, this book offers a “how-to” approach to the act of thinking and meditating on God and Scripture, and it’s done in a way that’s beneficial for all types of readers.
When you look through the chapter headings, you realize there is gentle pushback to how humans tend to live. They offer practices that suggest slowing down, feeling okay that you won’t always have the answers, not running from difficulty, and letting others influence how you think about God. Even just reading that list, don’t you feel some slight tension?
I found myself being encouraged, but also slightly relieved and feeling like it’s okay to loosen my grip on some things in my life. I tend to want to have all the answers, and I want to have them now. So the chapter titled “Ponder the Mysteries” caused me to do a little work on myself and let go of the tension of having all the solutions and explanations.
The book is full of wisdom that can be applied to the readers’ lives, but I found myself wanting more in the case of real-life examples from the author. With the authors being college professors, there were plenty of examples from their students being busy and caught up in the frantic pace of life, but I wanted to see more ways to put the ideas into practice. With a subtitle like “Eight Practices…”, it made me assume there would be more practical steps.
It makes me think about when I preach sermons, I tend to get toward the end and always ask myself, “What’s the application here? How will the congregation live out the truths of this passage?” I naturally want to give people a next step.
For this book, I really loved the chapter Believe Together and the encouragement it brought for why it’s better to form and build our beliefs when we are surrounded by a community of other believers. I absolutely agree!
I think of someone new to their faith who is struggling to connect with other believers. Or maybe it’s the person in a season of questioning and doubt that could use a practical step to move forward. Maybe it’s the burnt-out leader who can’t stand another meeting, so they shy away from gathering together. I would have loved to see a few “next steps” that people could take.
There is one section that I personally found confusing. (I wish I could sit down and talk this through with them!) In the first chapter, Take Your Time, they present the idea of conversion and salvation. The authors state that conversion is the moment of deciding to follow Jesus - I agree. They then state that “salvation is the lifelong process journey of becoming more and more like the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.” I asked friends what this lifelong process is called and everyone said the same thing: sanctification.They base this definition of salvation on Scripture (1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 2:15), but I still found myself slightly confused.
They finish this section by saying that we are not ready to handle the incredible future-gift of reigning with Christ in the new heavens and new earth because this lifelong process of formation must take place beforehand. (College students don’t get the degree until they’ve completed the work, right?) But I wrote in the margin…what about the thief on the cross? For some reason, this section had me scratching my head and wanting to sit down with the authors to find clarity.
And just so you know, this wasn’t sound a theological alarm for me, but more so a choice in words and categories. This isn’t a disagreement so much as a desire for clearer theological categories.
This is a rant about where my mind went as I read this section. It truly doesn’t take away from the book, but more so, I just want more clarity on the author's thoughts here.
This is a wonderful book that comes at a perfect time in our world. When the world feels fast-paced, overstimulating, and exhausting, this book offers a much better path as long as the reader is willing to give it a try and embrace the challenge. For the new Christian, the skeptical, the one questioning, or the believers in need of encouragement to remain steady, this book has something for everyone.
It’s a challenge to slow down, embrace difficulties, and let God shape and form you over the course of your life. If any part of you feels weary from speed, certainty, or self-reliance, this book offers a thoughtful invitation to slow down and let God do the long work of formation.
This timely book offers a fresh perspective on how to remain steadfast in your faith despite the cultural climate and current speed of life that surrounds us. The release of this book fits well into the wave of spiritual formation books that has surged in recent years, while holding its own with unique content and ideas. Co-authored by A.J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta, the book seems to be a result of their 4 years of hosting a podcast that holds the same name, Slow Theology.
As the book begins, they set forth their goal by saying…
“This book seeks to offer our readers eight biblically and theologically informed practices for how they can develop a faith that withstands the many challenges of the present world. Our conviction is that these challenges we face can, if walked carefully, make us deeper followers of Jesus."
I love the premise of viewing the challenges we encounter as opportunities to grow and consider how God would have us handle situations, because that is where growth and formation can take place.
The book covers eight practices that are counter-cultural to our fast-paced, individualized world. What are the practices?
1. Take Your Time: Learn to Linger with God
2. Embrace the Theological Journey: Take the Long View of Faith
3. Think Slowly: Applying Sabbath to Our Theology
4. Ponder the Mysteries: Answers Aren’t Always the Answer
5. Go to the Problems: Challenge Yourself to Not Run from the Difficulties
6. Let Pain Be the Altar: Talking to God Through Our Difficulties
7. Believe Together: One Faith, One Body, Communal Theology
8. Don’t Ever Give Up: Those Who Make It to the End Will Win
We all know that our culture is quick to avoid and ignore struggle, but this book aims to change that. Slow Theology holds much wisdom for the reader and offers an invitation to do things such as face problems head-on, enter into community, and embrace the long, slow journey of following Jesus.
This was my first time reading Swoboda and Gupta, so I didn’t know what to expect from their writing style or presentation. Knowing that both are Bible college professors (and the book has the word theology in the title), I was expecting there to be a slightly academic feel in the writing, but I experienced the opposite. I didn’t find pretentious theological words or rants on eschatology. Instead, I was greeted by a well-crafted book that gave the confidence of strong biblical theology, with the ability to portray biblical truths in a very digestible way. I did love the quick theological lesson squeezed in every once in awhile.
I recently had a friend describe Swoboda’s writing style as “down to earth”, and that is very accurate to this book. The authors did an excellent job of making this book accessible to a wide range of readers, those new to Christianity and those who have been following Jesus for 50 years. When it gets down to it, this book offers a “how-to” approach to the act of thinking and meditating on God and Scripture, and it’s done in a way that’s beneficial for all types of readers.
When you look through the chapter headings, you realize there is gentle pushback to how humans tend to live. They offer practices that suggest slowing down, feeling okay that you won’t always have the answers, not running from difficulty, and letting others influence how you think about God. Even just reading that list, don’t you feel some slight tension?
I found myself being encouraged, but also slightly relieved and feeling like it’s okay to loosen my grip on some things in my life. I tend to want to have all the answers, and I want to have them now. So the chapter titled “Ponder the Mysteries” caused me to do a little work on myself and let go of the tension of having all the solutions and explanations.
The book is full of wisdom that can be applied to the readers’ lives, but I found myself wanting more in the case of real-life examples from the author. With the authors being college professors, there were plenty of examples from their students being busy and caught up in the frantic pace of life, but I wanted to see more ways to put the ideas into practice. With a subtitle like “Eight Practices…”, it made me assume there would be more practical steps.
It makes me think about when I preach sermons, I tend to get toward the end and always ask myself, “What’s the application here? How will the congregation live out the truths of this passage?” I naturally want to give people a next step.
For this book, I really loved the chapter Believe Together and the encouragement it brought for why it’s better to form and build our beliefs when we are surrounded by a community of other believers. I absolutely agree!
I think of someone new to their faith who is struggling to connect with other believers. Or maybe it’s the person in a season of questioning and doubt that could use a practical step to move forward. Maybe it’s the burnt-out leader who can’t stand another meeting, so they shy away from gathering together. I would have loved to see a few “next steps” that people could take.
There is one section that I personally found confusing. (I wish I could sit down and talk this through with them!) In the first chapter, Take Your Time, they present the idea of conversion and salvation. The authors state that conversion is the moment of deciding to follow Jesus - I agree. They then state that “salvation is the lifelong process journey of becoming more and more like the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.” I asked friends what this lifelong process is called and everyone said the same thing: sanctification.They base this definition of salvation on Scripture (1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 2:15), but I still found myself slightly confused.
They finish this section by saying that we are not ready to handle the incredible future-gift of reigning with Christ in the new heavens and new earth because this lifelong process of formation must take place beforehand. (College students don’t get the degree until they’ve completed the work, right?) But I wrote in the margin…what about the thief on the cross? For some reason, this section had me scratching my head and wanting to sit down with the authors to find clarity.
And just so you know, this wasn’t sound a theological alarm for me, but more so a choice in words and categories. This isn’t a disagreement so much as a desire for clearer theological categories.
This is a rant about where my mind went as I read this section. It truly doesn’t take away from the book, but more so, I just want more clarity on the author's thoughts here.
This is a wonderful book that comes at a perfect time in our world. When the world feels fast-paced, overstimulating, and exhausting, this book offers a much better path as long as the reader is willing to give it a try and embrace the challenge. For the new Christian, the skeptical, the one questioning, or the believers in need of encouragement to remain steady, this book has something for everyone.
It’s a challenge to slow down, embrace difficulties, and let God shape and form you over the course of your life. If any part of you feels weary from speed, certainty, or self-reliance, this book offers a thoughtful invitation to slow down and let God do the long work of formation.
September 18, 2025
Slow Theology Review
Slow Theology is a book based off the inspiration behind the Slow Theology Podcast that A.J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta have hosted since 2020. The goal of the book is to help Christians learn the practices that form an antifragile faith and life, not only endurance but growth through life’s inevitable challenges.
The book contains 8 chapters and a conclusion.
Chapter 1 is an invitation to the reader to learn to live in the lingering moments of life. This is not only the space where God speaks to us and acts, but it is also necessary for us to get in sync with the voice and ways of God. Western society values quickness and efficiency, and though God can and does at time call us to be quick to obey or to listen, most everything else in the Christian life takes a journey, must steep, needs to germinate.
Chapter 2 invites the reader the reader to reconsider what theology is about. Against the modern preoccupation with information gathering and knowledge acquisition, theological study invites us on a journey towards knowing God. God both reveals himself and disguises himself, inviting us to pursue him. This pursuing means that the study of and about God must lead us to prayer and worship of him. To know God is not informational, it is relational. And that takes quality time spent with him, reflecting, praying, worshipping.
Chapter 3 invites the reader to think slowly and take a sabbath approach to theology. Contra to a workaholism of Western (and particularly American) society, our most fruitful and best theologizing happens as we develop a sabbath approach defined by developing our ability “to hear, listen to, and patiently wait on God’s voice.” Part of a sabbath approach, too, is realizing that not everything that is good and pleasing should be indulged, especially when God tells us not to. When it comes to theology, this means that we set aside our 6-day preoccupation for a day, practice restraint, allow our motives to be exposed, cultivate patience, and give margin, so that we might grow in knowing God rightly.
Chapter 4 challenges the Information Age ideal of always having [access to] the answer and to demystify every mystery. Scripture’s purpose is not to resolve every question, but there to call us forward into the labor of knowing Christ. It calls us to theological humility, acknowledging our need to always learn and always be open for the outside voice. Theological perfection is not the goal, nor is it possible. Instead we need to lean into the mystery of God, through humility and curiosity, resisting arrogance, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and spiritual hunger.
Chapter 5 acknowledges and even embraces problems and difficulties. Theological problems usually lead to one of two responses, either ignoring scripture in favor modernistic solutions or vice versa. Theological problems are usually one of three varieties: 1) Discovering that deeply held convictions don’t hold up to a close reading of scripture; 2) Descriptions of nature and the universe in scripture leave us wondering whether scripture can be trusted; 3) Our theological beliefs don’t seem to have an answer for our personal experiences. The reader is lead through a study of Psalm 73 as a case study of how to approach God with our problems and paradoxes, how to read scripture through Augustine’s hermeneutic of love vs a secular hermeneutic of suspicion, and how to approach theological problems.
Chapter 6 is entitled “Let the Pain be the Alter,” which preaches all by itself. The reader is invited to not hide their shame and pain behind the false face that social media and the internet provides, but to prayer and to lament. Forty percent of the psalms are considered at least in part psalms of lament. They teach the prayer how to voice anger, disappointment, fear, and grief with honesty and transparency, to name God’s character, to invite God to act, and to affirm God’s faithfulness.
Chapter 7 calls the radical individualized Western Christianity to “one faith, one body, and communal theology.” Whereas the West idealizes self-sufficiency and independence, but Christianity calls for an interdependently lived-out faith. Community benefits us as a place of correction so we don’t stray into weirdnesses. Relatedly, it is also the place where we share a common faith, especially as we recite the creed in unity with the Church historical and cross-cultural.
Chapter 8 calls the reader to persevere. “The Christian race is a difficult one.” Many having not counted the cost before hand will fall away. Jesus himself warns his would-be disciples, to know that they will suffer precisely because of him, that suffering is “the badge of true discipleship.” Yet, Jesus promises, its will be worth it in the end. The chapter there calls the reader to pace themselves for the long haul, to find joy in the struggle, to celebrate the small victories daily, to take time to rest, and to feed the soul with good spiritual food. The reader is also reminded run the race together, that we are better together, and we need one another. Lastly, disciples learn to abide, that is to stay, individually and together with Jesus. In sum, an excellent book, filled with wisdom for the long haul. Gupta and Swoboda helpfully articulate the challenges in our cultural moment and offer a way to grow and even flourish amidst questions, paradoxes, hurt, and disappointment.
Slow Theology is a book based off the inspiration behind the Slow Theology Podcast that A.J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta have hosted since 2020. The goal of the book is to help Christians learn the practices that form an antifragile faith and life, not only endurance but growth through life’s inevitable challenges.
The book contains 8 chapters and a conclusion.
Chapter 1 is an invitation to the reader to learn to live in the lingering moments of life. This is not only the space where God speaks to us and acts, but it is also necessary for us to get in sync with the voice and ways of God. Western society values quickness and efficiency, and though God can and does at time call us to be quick to obey or to listen, most everything else in the Christian life takes a journey, must steep, needs to germinate.
Chapter 2 invites the reader the reader to reconsider what theology is about. Against the modern preoccupation with information gathering and knowledge acquisition, theological study invites us on a journey towards knowing God. God both reveals himself and disguises himself, inviting us to pursue him. This pursuing means that the study of and about God must lead us to prayer and worship of him. To know God is not informational, it is relational. And that takes quality time spent with him, reflecting, praying, worshipping.
Chapter 3 invites the reader to think slowly and take a sabbath approach to theology. Contra to a workaholism of Western (and particularly American) society, our most fruitful and best theologizing happens as we develop a sabbath approach defined by developing our ability “to hear, listen to, and patiently wait on God’s voice.” Part of a sabbath approach, too, is realizing that not everything that is good and pleasing should be indulged, especially when God tells us not to. When it comes to theology, this means that we set aside our 6-day preoccupation for a day, practice restraint, allow our motives to be exposed, cultivate patience, and give margin, so that we might grow in knowing God rightly.
Chapter 4 challenges the Information Age ideal of always having [access to] the answer and to demystify every mystery. Scripture’s purpose is not to resolve every question, but there to call us forward into the labor of knowing Christ. It calls us to theological humility, acknowledging our need to always learn and always be open for the outside voice. Theological perfection is not the goal, nor is it possible. Instead we need to lean into the mystery of God, through humility and curiosity, resisting arrogance, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and spiritual hunger.
Chapter 5 acknowledges and even embraces problems and difficulties. Theological problems usually lead to one of two responses, either ignoring scripture in favor modernistic solutions or vice versa. Theological problems are usually one of three varieties: 1) Discovering that deeply held convictions don’t hold up to a close reading of scripture; 2) Descriptions of nature and the universe in scripture leave us wondering whether scripture can be trusted; 3) Our theological beliefs don’t seem to have an answer for our personal experiences. The reader is lead through a study of Psalm 73 as a case study of how to approach God with our problems and paradoxes, how to read scripture through Augustine’s hermeneutic of love vs a secular hermeneutic of suspicion, and how to approach theological problems.
Chapter 6 is entitled “Let the Pain be the Alter,” which preaches all by itself. The reader is invited to not hide their shame and pain behind the false face that social media and the internet provides, but to prayer and to lament. Forty percent of the psalms are considered at least in part psalms of lament. They teach the prayer how to voice anger, disappointment, fear, and grief with honesty and transparency, to name God’s character, to invite God to act, and to affirm God’s faithfulness.
Chapter 7 calls the radical individualized Western Christianity to “one faith, one body, and communal theology.” Whereas the West idealizes self-sufficiency and independence, but Christianity calls for an interdependently lived-out faith. Community benefits us as a place of correction so we don’t stray into weirdnesses. Relatedly, it is also the place where we share a common faith, especially as we recite the creed in unity with the Church historical and cross-cultural.
Chapter 8 calls the reader to persevere. “The Christian race is a difficult one.” Many having not counted the cost before hand will fall away. Jesus himself warns his would-be disciples, to know that they will suffer precisely because of him, that suffering is “the badge of true discipleship.” Yet, Jesus promises, its will be worth it in the end. The chapter there calls the reader to pace themselves for the long haul, to find joy in the struggle, to celebrate the small victories daily, to take time to rest, and to feed the soul with good spiritual food. The reader is also reminded run the race together, that we are better together, and we need one another. Lastly, disciples learn to abide, that is to stay, individually and together with Jesus. In sum, an excellent book, filled with wisdom for the long haul. Gupta and Swoboda helpfully articulate the challenges in our cultural moment and offer a way to grow and even flourish amidst questions, paradoxes, hurt, and disappointment.
December 26, 2025
I just finished Slow Theology by Nijay Gupta and AJ Swoboda and wow, this is a book the contemporary church desperately needs!
Although Nijay and AJ are two of the best Bible scholars around, they write with a deeply pastoral heart, inviting the people of God into a slower rhythm of life with Him in a culture obsessed with immediacy.
Written with grace, patience, deep biblical insight, and love, each chapter explores how the Christian life is a journey and how the practice of slowness, whether in sabbath-keeping, wrestling through theological questions, navigating life’s struggles, or simply communing with God, shapes a Spirit-led rhythm.
This book is not merely theoretical, nor does it call Christians to “pull up their bootstraps.” The final chapter makes it clear: the goal is to point our eyes to Jesus, the One who calls us to abide in Him. These practices support that abiding, but more importantly, the more we abide in Jesus, the more naturally we’ll live into these practices. I especially loved the marathon imagery and how its lessons on perseverance illuminate the Christian walk.
There’s so much more I could say, but for now, thank you both for your faithfulness and your heart for God’s people, Nijay Gupta and AJ Swoboda And thank you Brazospress for the copy. This book is profoundly needed in the contemporary church and one believers will return to for years to come.
September 22, 2025
In a world of noise, distraction, and shallow connection, this book offers a slower way. With honesty about doubt and deconstruction, it invites readers to resist quick fixes, embrace mystery, and cultivate communal faith. Theologically rich yet accessible, it equips us with practices to steady our walk with Jesus in today’s frenetic culture.
I’ve been a fan of both of these authors for a while! Swoboda’s After Doubt and Gupta’s Tell Her Story have shaped me deeply (I practically quoted After Doubt in my master’s thesis 😂). What I respect most is how they model authentic questioning of faith while still holding a high view of Scripture—a rare combination in most conversations about shifting belief. That’s why they’re the perfect duo to guide us in developing a theology that doesn’t crumble every time culture shifts. Instead, they call us to sloooowly think through what we believe. Faith is going to falter if it isn’t yours. This book gives us eight practices to develop just that.
Thank you @brazospress for the ARC I love what these authors are contributing to the discipleship/theology discussion.
Perfect for you if you like:
Theology
Spiritual formation
Honest wrestling
Similar to:
Discover the Mystery of Faith by Glenn Packiam
Faith After Doubt by Brian D. McLaren
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
I’ve been a fan of both of these authors for a while! Swoboda’s After Doubt and Gupta’s Tell Her Story have shaped me deeply (I practically quoted After Doubt in my master’s thesis 😂). What I respect most is how they model authentic questioning of faith while still holding a high view of Scripture—a rare combination in most conversations about shifting belief. That’s why they’re the perfect duo to guide us in developing a theology that doesn’t crumble every time culture shifts. Instead, they call us to sloooowly think through what we believe. Faith is going to falter if it isn’t yours. This book gives us eight practices to develop just that.
Thank you @brazospress for the ARC I love what these authors are contributing to the discipleship/theology discussion.
Perfect for you if you like:
Theology
Spiritual formation
Honest wrestling
Similar to:
Discover the Mystery of Faith by Glenn Packiam
Faith After Doubt by Brian D. McLaren
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
September 19, 2025
I’m about halfway through the book and let me say, this book has been such a breath of fresh air to my spirit. It’s very simple and straightforward to understand, but the presentation is beautifully put together. I took the biggest exhale when I read this passage early in the book: “You are not a bad Christian because you experience doubt. The key is in how you are able to return to a place of rest and trust in Christ. The second aspect of resilience is recalibration. We don't just recover from a turbulent test of faith; we retool and rebuild; we reinforce and realign. The goal, as this book attests, is to get stronger, to become antifragile.”
I was in ministry leadership at a local church for 13 years. When I started asking questions about things I was observing, they asked me to step down because “there was no place for questions there”. I have had a hard time committing to the local church since, while I never gave up my faith, I had a lot of questions and thoughts about that and some other things. But this book is helping to heal the pieces of my heart that have been damaged.
I was in ministry leadership at a local church for 13 years. When I started asking questions about things I was observing, they asked me to step down because “there was no place for questions there”. I have had a hard time committing to the local church since, while I never gave up my faith, I had a lot of questions and thoughts about that and some other things. But this book is helping to heal the pieces of my heart that have been damaged.
September 25, 2025
I was deeply anticipating this new release from two wonderful Christian authors and my excitement was met with joy at the profound levels of wisdom in this book. This is a book truly highlighting the profound depths of wisdom that catholic Christianity has to offer. Both authors with their respective expertise and insight in theology and biblical scholar are able to bring their prayerful and rich learning to this book while also drawing on the vast wells of the best of Christian thought to offer a case for the need for slow and humble theological reflection in the Christian life. For so many who have deep wounds or deep confusions about God or Christian spirituality, there truly is no replacement for slowing down for the necessary reflection. As a pastor in NYC, where the pace of life is relentless, this book has been truly life giving in its call to patiently, humbly, communally, and with the full breadth of real human experience, give our attention to God, with all the hard and slow prayerful reflection that requires. This an instant classic on my shelf that I will return to again and again.
October 26, 2025
Slow down and be in God’s presence, that is the heart of Slow Theology, as the authors Nijay Gupta and A.J. Saw is an explored through eight practices what it means to be a slow theology church. Many of the chapters are helpful by reading the chapter title alone, though some of the chapters may suffer a bit from an information dump. As such, those chapters were harder to follow. A summary at the end of each chapter would also help, and possible reflection questions to explore further. Still, the chapters which are clear more than rectify this minor inconvenience, especially the quote about the slowest person in the church reveals the theology of that church is a gem, and our need to abide and be with Jesus is our way to counter the fast food treatment of church programs and products. The chapter on mystery is also illuminating on the historical mistakes of flattening god, and the importance of church and community as a place for communal fellowship while exercising individual gifts hold the tension of what churches are in expression to cheering on one another in service and mission together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2025
In a world of ‘hot takes,’ fast food, and lightning speed internet, Swoboda & Gupta encourage the Christian to slow down, read long, think deeply, and learn to abide by in Christ.
The authors draw their principles from the scriptures, unpacking and expounding on them with thought provoking illustrations. From God’s slow educational plan (think forty years in the desert) to Christ’s instructions to abide in him, (John 15:4-9) Gupta and Swoboda make the case for patient steadfastness and caution us, “It’s never wise to try to be faster than God."
As I was reading, I found in myself an awakening of longing for time in the word of God, time in prayer, time to sit at Christ’s feet and listen and feel his presence. I was reminded of the attractiveness of mystery and reassured that a lifetime is not too long to search for wisdom.
The authors draw their principles from the scriptures, unpacking and expounding on them with thought provoking illustrations. From God’s slow educational plan (think forty years in the desert) to Christ’s instructions to abide in him, (John 15:4-9) Gupta and Swoboda make the case for patient steadfastness and caution us, “It’s never wise to try to be faster than God."
As I was reading, I found in myself an awakening of longing for time in the word of God, time in prayer, time to sit at Christ’s feet and listen and feel his presence. I was reminded of the attractiveness of mystery and reassured that a lifetime is not too long to search for wisdom.
September 26, 2025
I received an advanced copy of Slow Theology from Net Galley.
The only reason I haven't rated Slow Theology as a five-star read yet is that I'm not quite finished with the book. However, everything that I've read in it so far has been a great encouragement to me. I'm currently in a season of transition where everything feels incredibly fast-paced. Swoboda and Gupta do a good job of reminding me not to let the busy seasons of life impinge on my relationship with God.
I will probably update my rating and review in the next few weeks as I finish Slow Theology. But I feel confident in recommending this book to others.
The only reason I haven't rated Slow Theology as a five-star read yet is that I'm not quite finished with the book. However, everything that I've read in it so far has been a great encouragement to me. I'm currently in a season of transition where everything feels incredibly fast-paced. Swoboda and Gupta do a good job of reminding me not to let the busy seasons of life impinge on my relationship with God.
I will probably update my rating and review in the next few weeks as I finish Slow Theology. But I feel confident in recommending this book to others.
January 26, 2026
Slow Theology is not the kind of book that hands you a list of quick fixes. Instead, it’s a thoughtful and introspective guide that helps you pause and take inventory of your relationship with God. It highlights possible blind spots and offers simple, often-overlooked practices to help deepen your faith.
This book is both an encouraging and reliable companion for any believer. It reminds you that the obstacles you face are not just problems to escape but opportunities to wrestle with God. He is at work in your life—stop, look around, and you will see Him.
This book is both an encouraging and reliable companion for any believer. It reminds you that the obstacles you face are not just problems to escape but opportunities to wrestle with God. He is at work in your life—stop, look around, and you will see Him.
January 29, 2026
This is an excellent book I would give to every Christian if I could. It's not just another book about slowing down and being intentional. It's a book about how God's slowness is part of his unchanging character that we desperately need to accept in our fast-paced culture. I highlighted dozens of quotes that are shaping my thinking in new ways. I read the Kindle version, and now I want the hard copy version too so I can get more out of it. I highly recommend it as a companion for listening to the podcast.
September 18, 2025
I don’t like using hyperbole when describing pieces of work, but I truly believe that Slow Theology is a significant book for our day and age. A.J. and Nijay have tapped into the heart of what is happening in our world and showing Christians that we do not have to play by the rules established around us. We are invited to take the slow, long winding road into discipleship and resiliency in culture exhausted with burn out. Can’t recommend it enough!
November 20, 2025
Wow. If Goodreads had a 10-star rating, this book would be 10 stars! I have been listening to A.J.’s and Nijay’s podcast (Slow Theology) for several years and had been greatly anticipating the release of this book. It definitely didn’t disappoint! These 8 practices are desperately needed in the church today. The message of this book brought so much peace to my heart and confirmed what my husband and I have been saying for years. I wish everyone would read it!
December 22, 2025
Inspirational for the long game. This book intends to reinforce that the way of being a Christian is not instantaneous but the product of living in the ordinary, being consistent, curious and Christ centered. Most of us will not be great thinkers, or even renowned movers and shakers, yet the God of the universe calls us to know him. And to pursue knowing him. The book emphasizes spiritual discipline and perseverance. Highly recommend.
January 23, 2026
Basically if we slow down long enough to pause and truly learn to hear the shepherds voice, then we can discern Gods will and his leading and direction. In a world that is fueled by productivity this book reminds us to take a breath and put some spiritual practices into place to really hear the voice of God, rather than go from book to sermon to podcast to video, etc… I lived the psychology references a a licensed therapist myself. Mindfulness in Gods word is not new age, it’s necessary.
September 12, 2025
A slow theology and an antifragile faith.
Aj and Nijay’s book is a helpful reminder to slow down and really embrace the journey of getting to know God. Grounded in scripture and the rich history of the church, they lay out a series of practices intended to help you slow down, dig deeper, and find a rich ‘faith seeking understanding.’
Aj and Nijay’s book is a helpful reminder to slow down and really embrace the journey of getting to know God. Grounded in scripture and the rich history of the church, they lay out a series of practices intended to help you slow down, dig deeper, and find a rich ‘faith seeking understanding.’
November 3, 2025
Slow Theology is a book about what to expect from the Christian life and how to live it faithfully through engagement with theology in community with the church.
It's pitched for an audience that hasn't learned much theology yet, but wants something more substantial than hot takes. This isn't a theology overview, but rather advice for engaging with theology. I could see this being a helpful group read for a youth group or high school Bible class.
If I could change anything, it would just be the pace. Even for a book called Slow Theology, this is pretty wordy, and the pace drags some.
I received an eARC in exchange for my review.
It's pitched for an audience that hasn't learned much theology yet, but wants something more substantial than hot takes. This isn't a theology overview, but rather advice for engaging with theology. I could see this being a helpful group read for a youth group or high school Bible class.
If I could change anything, it would just be the pace. Even for a book called Slow Theology, this is pretty wordy, and the pace drags some.
I received an eARC in exchange for my review.
October 31, 2025
There is a certain peace that comes through the knowledge that God often moves slowly. Throughout this book AJ exposes that our frustration with the speed of God really just exposes problems within us. From calling, to healing, from the church, to theology God takes his time and we should be thankful for that.
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