A Practical Primer on Theological Method: Table Manners for Discussing God, His Works, and His Ways
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Around a table sit men and women with distinct roles: The Interpreter, the Theologian, the Virtuous, the Philosopher, the Scientist, the Artist, the Minister, and the Historian. Each is ready to engage in a passionate discussion centered on God, his works, and his ways. Regardless of which role you play at the same table, you're invited. You simply need to pull up a chair and join the conversation. But how? What do you say when you take your seat? Where do you start? What are the “rules” of the dialogue?
A Practical Primer on Theological Method ill help you answer these questions. This primer is not only a “how-to” manual for doing theology, but a handbook of etiquette for doctrinal discussions with other believers. This popular-level introductory text presents the proper manner, mode, and means of engaging fruitfully in theology.
- Presents an integrative theological method in the classic Christian tradition
- Interacts with the insights and perspectives from a wide range of theological traditions
- Provides examples of how specific doctrinal and practical issues were addressed in the apostolic church
- What Theological Method Is and Isn’t
- Revelation at the Center
- Three Cords of God’s Revelation
- The Role of the Interpreter
- The Task of the Theologian
- The Burden of the Virtuous
- The Quest of the Philosopher
- The Pursuit of the Scientist
- The Passion of the Artist
- The Labor of the Minister
- The Voice of the Historian
- Invitation to the Table
Top Highlights
“Rather, sola Scriptura means that Scripture alone is the only inerrant source of verbally inspired truth available to the church today.” (Page 68)
“Everything we think, say, or do in light of God’s revelation belongs to the second tier. Everything.” (Page 43)
“Theology is not just information, but transformation. Its goal is a life of love.” (Page 92)
“There is no formula. There is no tried and true process; no step one, step two, step three; no secret recipe that turns raw biblical data into perfectly balanced doctrine. We have principles, guidelines, and boundaries, sure; but theological method is more like a soccer game than a scripted play; more like a conversation than a lecture; more like Coltrane than Bach.” (Page 27)
“Rather, we present what may be called an integrative theological method in the classic Christian tradition.” (Page 11)
A Practical Primer on Theological Method is no dull look at how we do theology. It is an entryway into the multi-dimensional conversation at the heart of reflecting on theology with clarity. Bringing a tone of humility and conversation to the task, it will lead you to reflect on how you think about God, Scripture, culture, and the fullness of the creation we live in, and invite you to enjoy the Table of voices it takes to help us grow in our appreciation of God and his world.
—Darrell L. Bock, executive director of cultural engagement and senior research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
This book concerns a critical subject—how to think through the wildly different theologies on offer today. It shows the perils of thinking that sola scriptura could be solo scriptura where we ignore the weight of the church’s consensus on doctrinal and moral issues. To the extent that this book points toward that great tradition, I recommend it.
—Gerald McDermott, Anglican chair of divinity, Beeson Divinity School
A Practical Primer on Theological Method flouts the proverbial social wisdom not to discuss religion during dinner and instead encourages us in Table God-talk. Theology is discourse about God, and a good conversation will include voices from a number of disciplinary fields, each of which has a seat, and a voice, at the Table. Doing theology also requires table manners, virtues that keep the conversation appropriately critical and constructive. So pull up a seat as Glenn Kreider and Michael Svigel set the Table for a nourishing meal. Watch and learn as they serve up the various sources, norms, and tasks—the main courses of which the feast of theology consists.
—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
- Title: A Practical Primer on Theological Method: Table Manners for Discussing God, His Works, and His Ways
- Authors: Glenn R. Kreider and Michael J. Svigel
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Publication Date: 2019
- Pages: 192
- Resource Type: Introduction
- Topic: Theology
Glenn R. Kreider (Th.M., Ph.D.) is Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is editor, collaborator, or author of several books, including God with Us: Exploring God’s Personal Interactions with His People Throughout the Bible (P & R, 2014), the Exploring Christian Theology trilogy (Bethany House, 2014–2015), and Eschatology: Biblical, Historical, and Practical Approaches (Kregel, 2016).
Michael J. Svigel (Th.M., Ph.D.) is Chair and Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is author of several books, including RetroChristianity: Reclaiming the Forgotten Faith (Crossway, 2012), the Exploring Christian Theology trilogy (Bethany House, 2014–2015), and The Center and the Source: Second Century Incarnational Christology and Early Catholic Christianity (Gorgias, 2016).