Welcome to the first e-Theo

Most people in ministry roles, particularly those in ‘Specified Ministries’, have spent a significant period of time slaving over books in formation and preparation.  These books have given guidance and help create platforms on which to initiate and build a successful ministry.  But who has time to read once they get into that ministry situation, especially when there is a lot of chaff to discard from the wheat that is quality Christian literature?

e-Theo is an online book review service, written especially with time-starved pastors, chaplains,  ministers and other ministry workers, lay and ordained, in mind.  e-Theo looks at a range of titles – contemporary and classic - anything that can enhance, develop and nurture people who minister, their ministry and their environments.

In this first issue of e-Theo, Clive Pearson tackles Missiology, Michael Earl looks into Preaching and Worship leading, Ben Myers finds the similarities between Dr. Barth and Dr. Seuss, and Sef Carroll shares some of the resources she has found helpful in her research in Interfaith Relations.

e-Theo will be published on this website three times a year.  If you have a particular book that you would like to see reviewed, or if you would like to contribute a review, please feel free to contact us through the Camden Theological Library.

e-Theo is a joint project between the Camden Theological Library, the School of Continuing Education and United Theological College.

Enjoy!

Two small books: Dr Barth and Dr Seuss

Robert L. Short, The Parables of Dr. Seuss (WJKP, 2008), 95 pp.; Karl Barth, Fifty Prayers (WJKP, 2008), 63 pp. (review copies courtesy of WJKP)

Here’s a couple of nice little books (Thing One and Thing Two), both just released from WJKP. In our first book, Robert Short offers an entertaining reading of Dr Seuss’s stories as Christian “parables.” I adore Dr Seuss – I’m always begging my kids to let me read more Dr Seuss, instead of those bland and banal Disney books that clutter their shelves. So I enjoyed this book’s playful engagement with Dr Seuss’s stories.

A Guide to Preaching and Leading Worship

William Willimon, A Guide to Preaching and Leading Worship, (2008), Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville * London.

 William Willimon is the Presiding Bishop of the Birmingham Area of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church (USA) and was formerly Dean of Duke University Chapel, North Carolina. A prolific writer on matters theological and ecclesial, some of his better known works include: Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony, (1989, co-authored with Stanley Hauerwas), and Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry, (2002). In his brief book, A Guide to Preaching and Leading Worship, (2008), Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville * London, (just over 100 pages), he sets out to provide a theologically sound, yet practical guide to ‘preaching and leading worship’ for those engaged in pastoral ministry. As the title suggests, then, his purpose and intended audience are simultaneously narrow and clear (he dedicates the book to “those who preach and lead worship in the churches of North Alabama”, though its readership will be far wider than this).

John M. Hull, The Mission-Shaped Church: A Theological Response.

John M. Hull, The Mission-Shaped Church: A Theological Response.London: SCM Press, 2006.
  
We live in an ecclesial word where the language of mission is rife.  It is often looked upon as the organising principle for what it means  to ‘be’ the church or ‘do’ church. The words mission and missional have become ubiquitous and often feature in requests for funding.  And, of course, none of this should come as a surprise. It is a sign of the times. We live in a time and place where an institutional faith is under immense pressure: there is much talk of post-this and -that. The rhetoric of mission has become the preferred term to describe how the church should relate to its host culture. There are alternatives – like what does it mean to be a public church –  and there are disciplines like the practice of a contextual theology – but these require committed acts of policy to follow through in the life of a denomination. It is doubtful whether there is either the recognition for this shift needing to happen or the will to ensure it happens. And some key theological ideas – like ‘following’ and ‘the kingdom of God’ – have at times been sidelined. The language of mission attracts a cluster of words along the lines of programs, strategic directions, leadership and sometimes, it seems, competencies. 

inFocus: Interfaith Relations

Although modern day interfaith relations and dialogue dates back officially to the first meeting of the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893, it has since September 11^th become an area of avid growing interest. The purpose of this bibliographical essay is to survey some of the current texts and resources held by Camden Theological library in the area of interfaith dialogue that I have found useful both for my PhD research in interfaith relationships and dialogue and for ministry in the Australian context. Interfaith relations and dialogue is an exciting growing edge. It requires both a well thought out theology as well as the development of practical skills, awareness and a spirit of openness. This book list is in no way exhaustive, but it is a start in engaging with relevant interfaith issues, both practical and theological.