Redeeming the Routines: Bringing Theology to Life

by Robert Banks, Victor Gilbert Beers (Series Editor)

Many Christians have difficulty finding practical connections between faith and daily life. Sermons, Sunday schools, and study groups rarely address the issues, situations, and responsibilities of ordinary life, and theology seems detached from everyday concerns. In Redeeming the Routines, Robert Banks locates the reasons for the gap between faith and daily life. He then identifies activities that should be examined from a Christian perspective and suggests specific ways in which individuals and churches can bring their faith to bear on such matters. Now back in print.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Spirituality, Christian Living

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book highlighting the disconnect between modern academic theology and a theology that is needed to help with what the majority of Christians are experiencing in their lives. Robert Banks does a great job at showing the need to develop a theology of everyday life and routines that affect the majority of people in their everyday rhythms and dimensions of life. He also gives some great ideas and suggestions to close the gap which involves significant involvement and change for both professional ministers of the gospel as well as laypersons. I plan to review this book periodically and also plan to read other books by Banks as he's definitely on the right track.

[Rob Markley · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea is an excellent one - to take practical theology into the everyday rhythms of life - however the book fails to deliver.

[Ryan Spear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 2001 but copyrighted in 1993, it is best read with that setting in mind. I was otherwise prepared to give it two stars but the final chapter bumped it up to three. Chapter 3: The Texture of Daily Life is the least valuable as it is primarily lists for consideration as to areas of theological reflection.

One quote I feel obligated to call out: in Chapter 1: Setting the Scene, in a section on the calling of all Christians to be teachers, he throws in this sentence: “While domineering or authoritarian teaching by women is rejected (1 Tim. 2:12), they can be involved in instructing others if this takes place in an appropriate manner (e.g. Acts 18:26).” I would hope that ANY form of domineering or authoritarian teaching by ANYONE is to be rejected.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so much promise and the first three chapters where pure gold in identifying the practical issues we run into; a great diagnosis. But then the author, instead of offering a beginning to a solution, abandoned the practicality of the first few sections and gives an abstract presentation of how theology needs to change; without any help for the layman in those practical areas he set forth. At best, he suggests we engage in community and study groups and look for mentors. Disappointing.

[Brett Myer]

I abandoned this book, and probably won't return to it...so which virtual goodreads shelf is that?

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book all about how we need a theology for redeeming the routines, but only providing a meager bit of that theology.