Transforming Christian Theology: For Church and Society
Overview
Is there a role for Christian theology in the ongoing transformation of church and society? How can the reflective imperative of Christian discipleship support a transformative vision of the world?
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 and to relate it directly to the recent 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, and in mainline denominations and the academy.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Save more when you purchase this book as part of the Fortress Press Theology Collection.
- Explores Christian identity, commitment, and discipleship
- Seeks to capture and articulate the ferment in grassroots North American Christianity
- Argues strongly for a mediating role specifically for Christian theology
- Things Have Changed, or “Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Any More”
- Do Christians Have to Hate Change?
- Why the Answers Must Be Theological (and What That Means)
- Postmodernity Makes Theologians of Us All
- Postmodern Believing
- “Everything Must Change”
- Managing Change
- Don’t Give Up on the Church!
- Transformative Theologies
- Learning to Find Your Theological Voice
- Theology as Telling the Story
- Theologies in Action
- A Theology of Self-Emptying for the Church
- New Partnerships in Christian Activism
- Time to Leave behind Old Liberal/Evangelical Battles
- From Church Ministries to Missional Churches
- Social Transformation without “Us versus Them”
- Constructing Theologies of the Community for the Community: The Six Steps
- Toward a Progressive Theology for Christian Activism
How can an important theological book be so delightful to read? How can a top-drawer theologian have such high respect for ‘normal’ Christians that they are seen as partners in the work of transforming theology? How can Philip Clayton make the idea of big-tent, progressive Christianity so believable and attractive that one can imagine evangelicals, charismatics, mainliners, and Roman Catholics joyfully discussing it over a meal together? There’s only one way to find out: open up Transforming Christian Theology and start reading—now.
—Brian D. McLaren, author of A Generous Orthodoxy
Philip Clayton’s new book, Transforming Christian Theology: For Church and Society, is nothing if it is not the full skinny on progressive, mainline-shaped emergent theology . . . Clayton argues that theology has been the prerogative of an elite group of professors, but he believes it’s got to be seen as what all of us do instead of just what the professors and professionals do. He outlines what can only be called a progressive emergent agenda for doing theology in a series of proposals—too many to name here. It’s a good book and I hope it gets a wide hearing.
—Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University
We all know that the once dominant form of Protestantism in this country is fading to the sidelines of society. In this book one of America’s premier theologians seriously and passionately writes for ordinary Christians, inviting them to become their own theologians. He also shows how they can do so. If a hundred thousand members of our old-line denominations take this book seriously and follow its suggestions, there is yet hope for renewal. Understanding and support from denominational leadership would also help.
—John B. Cobb Jr., professor emeritus, Claremont School of Theology
- Title: Transforming Christian Theology: For Church and Society
- Authors: Philip Clayton (theologian), Tripp Fuller
- Publisher: Fortress Press
- Print Publication Date: 2010
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 144
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Theology, doctrinal › United States; Church and the world; Church
- Resource ID: LLS:TRANSCHRTHEOCLAYTON
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T06:23:03Z
Philip Clayton is the dean of Claremont School of Theology and provost of Claremont Lincoln University. He also holds the Ingraham Chair at CST. Clayton earned a joint PhD in religious studies and philosophy from Yale University and has held visiting appointments at Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Munich. He has published over 20 books and hundreds of academic and popular articles.
