Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically Discussion
Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically
In the book “Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically”, Beth Felker Jones (an academician at Wheaten University), presents the argument that theology has deeper practical applications and is not only intended for philosophical discussions in the academic arena. In fact, the book presents theology as a way of life. In this case, the author explores theological doctrines that include speaking to and knowing God, as well as eschatology, ecclesiology, pneumatology, soteriology, Christology, image of God, creation and the Trinity. Although Jones offers a brief overview of these doctrines, the discussion is profound as it shifts between doctrine and theology. Throughout the book, the chapters take readers through each doctrine’s historical development and complexities with emphasis on how they can be practically applied in life Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically Discussion.
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The book begins with an undertone that doctrine studies should be at the centre of Christian life. The doctrines are the way in which Christians worship and serve God. Quoting Jesus in Luke 10:27, the book’s introduction notes that a Christian should love God with his/he mind as well as heart, soul and strength. This shows that the four (mind, heart, soul and strength) are connected. Working on this connection, Jones indicates that the heart is concerned with passion, the soul is concerned with yearning, strength is what God grants Christians, and the mind has the intellectual task of seeking God’s truth. Applied to the study of Christian doctrines, the four ae interpreted as showing that to love God is to study the doctrines as it involves studying God’s things thereby allowing Christians to transform into worshipers and servants of God in this world. Through practicing the doctrines, Christians develop a deeper yearning for an understanding of the Christian faith even as they seek the beauty and logic of faith, and live out what they learn in everyday Christian life Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically Discussion.
The overarching idea in the book is that Christians should love God with their whole being. Translated into theory, the collection of doctrines offers a historical perspective on what it means to be a Christian. From this background, the author explains that although theology is a historical discussion on Christian heritage, theology and the doctrines are built upon a practical need to face daunting heresies while working out beliefs. The book’s dedication to exploring the historical connection between early evangelical Christian creedal traditions and Christian life is seen in how orthodoxy is taken as the point of connection. Throughout the chapters as Jones connects the origin and development of each doctrine with current understandings, readers are led through the practical and necessary nature of each doctrine. In this way, the book explains the development of each doctrine and why it was developed, all as background information that set the stage for a discussion on what each doctrine is essential and practical for today’s Christian living Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically Discussion.
In conclusion, the book achieves the goal of showing that theology has practical applications in today’s world. It presents Christian doctrines that are reviewed with care and respect to history even as it acknowledges that Christian traditions significantly differ between Orthodoxy Christians, Roman Catholics and Protestants, all realistic notions of what the church is today. In this respect, the book demonstrates how each doctrine can be practically applied in Christian living today. In putting theology into practice, Jones takes the doctrines as a commonality with Christians expected to work them into their lives, both communally and spiritually Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically Discussion.
Work Cited
Jones, Beth Felker. Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically. Baker Publishing group, 2014 Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically Discussion