Clayton, Philip - Transforming Christian Theology: For Church and Society

[Thomas Oord]

I've just completed Philip Clayton's book with the title in this post's heading. I'm planning to post a review -- unless someone has already posted one on Naznet. It's an amazing book, but I don't want to double review. Does anyone remember a review on Naznet of this book?

Tom

[Ryan Scott]

Even if there was a review, we've lost it now. It would be good to continue to populate these threads.

[Ian Gentles]

Post a review please, sounds interesting.

[Thomas Oord]

I'll plan on putting something up on the book soon. I'm thinking of writing a blog series on the book, so I'll morphed that into a book review here.

[Thomas Oord]

Theology shouldn’t play a supporting role in the Christian transformation we need so desperately today. It should play the main role!

In his book, Transforming Christian Theology: For Church in Society, by Philip Clayton (in collaboration with Tripp Fuller) argues that engaging and constructing theology is the missing piece in current efforts for foster Christian renewal.

We all know the world is different today. Clayton says that this difference should influence at least somewhat the theology we affirm in our postmodern world. Clayton wrote his book in part because so many people have "lost the ability to give powerful, vibrant accounts of what it means to be 'Christian' in today's world and what it is they actually believe" (6).

The internet and new technologies have democratized theology. Surprising to some, the standard for good theology has actually risen as a result. Postmodernism also influences the style and substance of theology today. And that's a good thing!

The next generation of Christians, says Clayton, may not return to the old churches. For many today both inside the church and outside it, today’s denominations are no longer relevant. Recovering an emphasis upon theology can be the difference for Christianity to survive and thrive.
Seminary Theology

Clayton is confident that academic theology, by itself, won’t alone carry the future of the church. Most seminary professors are not preparing their students for practical theology, because they are not teaching seminary students to think about theology in practice.

Upon graduation, many seminarians revert to popular notions of theology they first brought to graduate school. Seminary professors have a responsibility to draw connections to the life of the church so that theological education makes a real difference in ministry.

The church will always need some paid theologians. But these people should view themselves as coaches, not just purveyors of true propositions. Professional theologians must teach others to think about and apply theology, and they must do so in their own voices.
Theology for Everyone

“Imagine groups of us struggling together to apply our Christian world and life views to the begging questions in our local communities and to the greater challenges facing humanities,” says Clayton. Then after doing this work, we should put “our conclusions and resolutions into action.”

If Christians were to do this, says Clayton, “a lot of honest and much needed conversations would start to happen. And the results, I suggest, could be revolutionary. That, in a nutshell, is the transforming Christian theology vision I hope you’ll begin to share” (23).

Clayton offers tools in the book for this kind of theological construction. Those tools include the Wesleyan quadrilateral (Scripture, reason, experience, and tradition).

He also proposes that Christians explore seven core Christian questions pertaining to the doctrine of God, Christology, pneumatology, anthropology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. We must give answers to these core questions in light of our contemporary world.

I am convinced that Clayton is largely right in his analysis and proposals. I’ll be exploring more of the book and writing about it in the future.

I’m in the midst of a process of gleaning insights from various thinkers about how we might cooperate with God to participate in the transformation I believe God wants.

Clayton’s book is a gold mine in my process.

[Hans Deventer]

Clayton argues that theology should not just be in the ivory towers of the academia, and should in the hands of all Christians. This is needed for way too often people no longer see a relation between their beliefs (theology) and their everyday lives. If the church is to have a future in a society where everything changes, we desperately need people who live their faith.
He lists 7 question that he feels we should all be able to answer:

Who is God?
Who is Jesus, called the Christ?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What is humanity, what does it mean to be human?
What is the problem of sin, and what does salvation mean?
What is the nature and funtion of the church?
What is the future in which we hope and for which we long? (p 73-74)


He defines theology as "consisting of all attempts to answer these core questions for ourselves in light of the contemporary world"

He proceeds to work this out as practically as possible, with numerous questions for discussion.

There is much to quote from this book, but I'll leave it at this and just encourage you to read it. Even if you don't agree with everything, there's lots of good stuff here that can be used in your church.

Oh yes, it reads very easily!

[George Wallace]

Clayton argues that theology should not just be in the ivory towers of the academia, and should in the hands of all Christians. This is needed for way too often people no longer see a relation between their beliefs (theology) and their everyday lives. If the church is to have a future in a society where everything changes, we desperately need people who live their faith.
He lists 7 question that he feels we should all be able to answer:

Who is God?
Who is Jesus, called the Christ?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What is humanity, what does it mean to be human?
What is the problem of sin, and what does salvation mean?
What is the nature and funtion of the church?
What is the future in which we hope and for which we long? (p 73-74)


He defines theology as "consisting of all attempts to answer these core questions for ourselves in light of the contemporary world"

He proceeds to work this out as practically as possible, with numerous questions for discussion.

There is much to quote from this book, but I'll leave it at this and just encourage you to read it. Even if you don't agree with everything, there's lots of good stuff here that can be used in your church.

Oh yes, it reads very easily!

Is there room for Confessional Christianity in his transformation?

Blessings
George

[Benjamin Burch]

Is there room for Confessional Christianity in his transformation?

Blessings
George

I'm sure there is as long as it remains "confessional" and doesn't become "propositional" or "prescriptive."

[Hans Deventer]

Is there room for Confessional Christianity in his transformation?

Blessings
George

George, there is room for your 7 answers. Likely, they will be different from anyone else's. Clayton's idea is that theology is what we live, because what we live is what we truly believe.