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Transforming Christian Theology: For Church and Society
This compact volume offers a way for Christians to reflect deeply on how best to conceive Christian identity, commitment, and discipleship in today's challenged, globalized, pluralistic scene. Growing out of the recent "Rekindling Theological Imagination" initiative and led by esteemed theologian Philip Clayton and his colleagues, this volume seeks to capture and articulate the ferment in grassroots North American Christianity today and to relate it directly to the recent strong resurgence of progressive thought and politics. It argues strongly for a mediating role specifically for Christian theology, conceived first as a life practice of Christian discipleship, and its call has found enormous response from popular audiences in conferences, online, in informal Christian settings, as well as in mainline denominations and the academy.
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2009
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About the author
Philip Clayton
58 books30 followersPhilip Clayton is the Dean of Claremont School of Theology and Provost of Claremont Lincoln University.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 7, 2013
This is a very good introductory theology book, which I would like to give 4.5 stars to.
In my book "The Limits of Liberalism" (2010) I refer briefly to Philip Clayton as a young liberal that we will likely hear more from in the years ahead. But while I was writing that he was writing this book that seems very much to be in the "radiant center" which I propose in my book.
Here are just a few of the significant statement I found in Clayton's book:
"Instead of seeking to preserve the past at any cost, we need a commitment to adapting what we have been as church to what we need to be as church in the future” (p. 51).
“To the ears of many of us in this postmodern world, a Christianity shorn of the condemnation of all other groups and individuals better conveys the spirit and message of the One whom we follow” (p. 111).
“'Progressive' does not exclude 'evangelical.'” It “does not represent an ideology but an emphasis.” Thus, “if you are a progressive, you will tend to emphasize change and newness in what the church is becoming” (p. 121). So the term 'progressive' is used “to describe constructive theologies that attempt to transform society” (p. 122).
In my book "The Limits of Liberalism" (2010) I refer briefly to Philip Clayton as a young liberal that we will likely hear more from in the years ahead. But while I was writing that he was writing this book that seems very much to be in the "radiant center" which I propose in my book.
Here are just a few of the significant statement I found in Clayton's book:
"Instead of seeking to preserve the past at any cost, we need a commitment to adapting what we have been as church to what we need to be as church in the future” (p. 51).
“To the ears of many of us in this postmodern world, a Christianity shorn of the condemnation of all other groups and individuals better conveys the spirit and message of the One whom we follow” (p. 111).
“'Progressive' does not exclude 'evangelical.'” It “does not represent an ideology but an emphasis.” Thus, “if you are a progressive, you will tend to emphasize change and newness in what the church is becoming” (p. 121). So the term 'progressive' is used “to describe constructive theologies that attempt to transform society” (p. 122).
May 22, 2017
This was a good introduction to progressive Christianity for church leaders. Clayton is careful not to necessarily equate "progressive" with a sexually progressive agenda. This is a fruitful, positive term in his vocabulary that speaks to opposite polarities on the scale of conservatism and liberalism.
I had a difficult time getting a sense of direction...seemed like he was speaking to a variety of facets of emerging, postmodern belief. This wasn't too deeply theological; rather, I found it to be a very practical guide for church leaders. I was able to take away some strong ideas on pastoral orientation in a postmodern world.
I had a difficult time getting a sense of direction...seemed like he was speaking to a variety of facets of emerging, postmodern belief. This wasn't too deeply theological; rather, I found it to be a very practical guide for church leaders. I was able to take away some strong ideas on pastoral orientation in a postmodern world.
July 8, 2014
In this book, Philip Clayton makes a case for a truly progressive theology beyond the tired and unhelpful liberal/conservative binary. This is a book with evangelical fervor wed to a commitment to redemptive community and a passionate engagement in social transformation. Clayton's biographical history includes engagement in both the evangelical and mainline contexts and his reflections are richer for this experience. He encourages the task of theological reflection (weaving one's story into the narrative of the gospel) as essential to robust discipleship and missional engagement. His idea of a theology of self emptying for a community lends itself to passionate commitment combined with a postmodern humility. This is not the final word for the church. It is an extremely important discussion starter.
April 1, 2016
Theology for progressive congregations
Clayton starts with McLaren and Cobb as analysis of church setting today. He is passionate in style. Much to like about theology as a world-life view out of which we think and act individually and congressionally. Very practical in that way. Yet, his call to identify with liberal politics rings hollow with me. One could as easily say that progressing past Christian value is dangerous to people and make a case for maintaining it. Of course, one would need to do this with love and respect. My wondering here is whether karl Barth will not again prove to be right. The logic of progressive thought will lead one past Jesus Christ to something else more dear than, such as an ideology. Political agendas hard to escape!
Clayton starts with McLaren and Cobb as analysis of church setting today. He is passionate in style. Much to like about theology as a world-life view out of which we think and act individually and congressionally. Very practical in that way. Yet, his call to identify with liberal politics rings hollow with me. One could as easily say that progressing past Christian value is dangerous to people and make a case for maintaining it. Of course, one would need to do this with love and respect. My wondering here is whether karl Barth will not again prove to be right. The logic of progressive thought will lead one past Jesus Christ to something else more dear than, such as an ideology. Political agendas hard to escape!
November 25, 2012
This is an excellent book. It has great content and is well written. Clayton's basic premise is that a postmodern setting demands a progressive theology that leads to transformation of the individual and his/her culture. It's in the stream of the emerging church movement.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews