The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis
Overview
Too often in the life of the church, theological reflection and the practical matters of leading and serving have been considered independently. The result has been the impoverishment of both Christian faith and Christian practice.
In this groundbreaking book Ray Anderson reflects theologically and practically on preaching, worship, ethics, social justice, therapy, family, homosexuality, burnout in ministry, reconciliation in relationships and theological education itself. The result is The Shape of Practical Theology, a new and renewing foundation for engaging in Christian ministry.
Anderson lays out his threefold goal as follows:
- to define more clearly the shape of practical theology as truly a theological enterprise rather than mere mastery of skills and methods
- to demonstrate the praxis of practical theology as critical engagement with the interface between the word of God as revealed through Scripture and the work of God taking place in and through the church in the world
- to deal with practical pastoral theology from the perspective of those who are on the "field of play" of life and ministry, where preaching, counseling and teaching does affect for many persons the outcome of the game
Illuminated by stimulating discussion and helpful case studies, The Shape of Practical Theology is aimed at seminary students, at Christian educators, and at working pastors and counselors. Anderson's work, fascinating and fruitful, brings together the Word of God with the Spirit of God in the ever-changing context of real-life ministry.
With the Logos edition of The Shape of Practical Theology, you can easily access Scripture passages by simply scrolling the mouse cursor over the verse reference. What’s more, the Logos edition of this title gives you easy access to a wealth of other resources in your digital library!
- Includes case studies to help illustrate method
- Brings together theology and practice to shed light on preaching, worship, ethics, social justice, therapy, family, homosexuality, burnout in ministry, reconciliation in relationships and theological education itself
- Widely used in seminary classrooms
Top Highlights
“My purpose in this book is threefold. First, I define more clearly the shape of practical theology as truly a theological enterprise rather than mere mastery of skills and methods. Second, I demonstrate the praxis of practical theology as critical engagement with the interface between the word of God as revealed through Scripture and the work of God taking place in and through the church in the world. Third, I offer some essays dealing with practical pastoral theology from the perspective of those who are on the ‘field of play’ of life and ministry, where preaching, counseling and teaching does affect for many persons the outcome of the game.” (Page 8)
“One fundamental thesis will control this discussion—the thesis that ministry precedes and produces theology, not the reverse.” (Page 62)
“ Christopraxis is the continuing ministry of Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.” (Page 29)
“Since then I have come to understand that the core theology of the Bible, both Old and New Testament, is practical theology before it becomes systematic theology. This book attempts to define the contours of a biblical and practical theology as foundation for the theological task itself. I want to make clear the distinction between a theology grounded primarily in theory as compared to a theory of theology grounded in praxis. I also want to distinguish a theology made practical through a pragmatic approach—not everything that works is God’s work—from a practical theology that reads Scripture in the context of ministry—what God does (works) honors and illuminates the purpose of God’s Word.” (Page 14)
Anderson has written a hard-hitting Christocentric interpretation of practical theology, which that field badly needs. Case after case he marks out a sensitive, sophisticated, biblical and theological approach to concrete ministerial situations. The approach behind this book has the potential to revitalize ministry at all levels of the Christian life.
—James E. Loder, Mary D. Synnott Professor of the Philosophy of Christian Education, Princeton Theological Seminary
Theology lives; it really does. Ray Anderson persuades and convinces us. He takes us on—pastors and teachers are his target—insisting that until theology lives in us, in our words and actions and prayers, it cannot rightly be called theology. He boldly gathers the large and complex world of Christian ministry and shows how it becomes a lived response to the Holy Spirit's action among us.
—Eugene H. Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College; Vancouver, British Columbia
This book represents a constructive step forward in understanding the relationship between practical and dogmatic theology. Anderson offers important insights which draw the discipline beyond its more formal descriptions into a distinctively Trinitarian formulation. Those who teach in this area will find in his fresh and exciting proposals for the practice of ministry a welcome resource.
—Michael Jinkins, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
- Title: The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis
- Author: Ray S. Anderson
- Publisher: InterVarsity Press
- Publication Date: 2001
- Pages: 342
Reviews
3 ratings
Peter
1/16/2015
Bill Shewmaker
10/19/2013
Phil Niebergall
7/30/2013
