Becoming a Thinking Christian: If We Want Church Renewal, We Will Have to Renew Thinking in the Church

by John B. Cobb Jr.

This book challenges Christians to think. Committed lay Christians, says Cobb, are already theologians; he wants them to realize this and then to become good theologians. Laypersons are just as capable as professional theologians of intellectual hard work, but they no longer expect the church to ask this of them. Cobb discusses why it is important for Christians to think about their own beliefs and assumptions. He encourages readers to find and become conversation partners. He also suggests steps a Christian's thinking may take; sources the individual can draw on, including how professionals can help; and where this thinking may lead. Cobb asserts that if there is a renewal of thinking in the church, there will be church renewal. The goal is to focus and sharpen one's thinking so that it is one's own, and to apply that thinking to one's being and acting. Each chapter ends with a section "Doing Your Theology" which is a list of questions for reflection and discussion. Chapter titles On Becoming What You A Theologian; Ethics and Theology; Shaping Up; Biblical Authority; Christians and Jews; Help and Hindrance; Christian Counterattack; A Critique of Economics; A Critique of the University; An Afterword on Church Theology

Genres: Theology, Church, Christianity

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

John Boswell Cobb Jr. was an American theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist. Cobb was regarded as a preeminent scholar in the field of process philosophy and process theology, the school of thought associated with the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. He was the author of more than fifty books. In 2014, Cobb was elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, in a nutshell. is about a layperson taking responsibility for his/her own theology. We need to know what we believe and why we believe it. This will require study, discussion, prayer, and a lot of thought. John Cobb says, "The world cannot afford to lose the benefit of Christian vision and wisdom." Churches and people of faith must engage in serious debate over matters of great importance if we truly want to make a difference.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cobb does Christians a great service by challenging them and showing them how to own what they believe. It's a basic course in critical thinking, along with a survey of theological opinions that modern Christians hold about a variety of topics. The strength of this book is that it doesn't assume the correct answers. It's hard to think clearly and critically when there's a gun to your head.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book for my teaching. Cobb clearly and carefully writing for a lay Christian audience, primarily, but with such clarity and thoughtfulness that I find it easy to engage a range of students from multiple faith-stances in discussion of the issues Cobb raises.