A Theology for Christian Education Review

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A Theology for Christian Education ReviewThis was an excellent book, the author's thesis is to integrate theology and Christian education attempting to not only influence the church in general, but to holistically impact the church. They see theology as a filter to sift through social sciences and allow the methodology to proceed from them. They do not see education and theology as two enemies, but as teaching which needs integrated. Their structural approach toward systematic theology covers a large area of doctrines which impact church and life. The authors fulfilled the purpose of integrating education and theology through the explanation of systematic theology followed by its application.
Regarding the integration of social sciences, the authors did not meet their goal. The arguments in the second chapter adequately laid out five levels of integration and social science. They concluded, if education is going to be Christian it has to see theology as the filter which social sciences are integrated, which produces Christian education. Chapters three through ten cover the various topics of systematic theology, but do not adequately interact with the integration of social science. Chapter eleven is an attempt to move toward a theologically informed approach to education. The authors state the chapter is not a complete "systematic theory of education" because it does not include the "social science theories." They did touch on learning taxonomies, but did not inform the reader that this was a form of integration. At this point, the authors loose one of their primary goals stated to attain Christian education.
The authors argued for integrating social sciences with theology, but never interacted with social science integration itself. This is a significant point considering the authors equated proper integration with true Christian education. The only thing that seems like a plausible reason for avoiding this interaction is the authors may not have agreed on exactly what Christian education should and should not integrate, but this is only a guess.
Approaching Christian education from systematic theology provides a great start for the church. It is an ordered coherent picture of the Christian faith. The authors point out; it is a "means to an end and not the end itself." This reminds the teacher to focus on holistic discipleship and gospel growth and not simply delivering content alone. Helping the learner understand how to inject other areas of theology into Christian education would have strengthened the book. An example of this would be the teaching of biblical theology since it allows the learner to see the metanarrative of Scripture and provides a grid to better understand systematic theology.
The book carries significant value which would benefit any Christian educator. There are many solid evangelical systematic theology texts available, but few provide the application of theology seen in A Theology of Christian Education. It is important for the Christian educator to teach people how to connect orthodoxy and orthopraxy, which the authors do superbly.
They recognize the Glory of God as the central goal in Christian education. This forces an educator to evaluate all areas of ministry in light of God's standards and not their own preferences. Seeing education as holistically encompassing orthodoxy, orthopraxis and orthopatheia encourages balance in teaching.
Regarding curriculum selection, they evealuwated 5 approches. The final chapter interacts with the identity crises in Christian education. Four elements of identification are outlined as: theory, task, target and theology. Each area overlaps with the roles of the teacher as the: theorist, teacher, trainer and theologian. The paradigm seems to adequately capture the role of Christian education and the role of the teacher.
A Theology for Christian Education remains a superb book for educators in all age ranges and should help any evangelical minister of education.
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Organic Disciplemaking: Mentoring Others Into Spiritual Maturity And Leadership Review

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Organic Disciplemaking: Mentoring Others Into Spiritual Maturity And Leadership ReviewFor a number of years now I've been working on a practical how-to book on discipleship. Dennis McCallum has beaten me to the punch with Organic Disciple Making. He's written the most practical book on how to disciple people I've ever read.
Time and time again I find myself saying, "Yup, he nailed that one; that's how it works." For example, early on the book covers the subject of modeling and its key role in making disciples. Later it delves into the practical questions of how you counsel and disciple through various issues or how you deal with blocks in their development.
For example McCallum distinguishes the difference between weakness and resistance and the appropriate response of a disciple maker. A disciple struggling with weakness generally needs encouragement, whereas a disciple who is resistant often needs confrontation and possibly discipline.
I loved that the book had a whole section on coaching and I loved that its counsel is both biblically grounded and rooted in the everyday experience of someone who leads 250 home churches. I've read so many books on discipleship and few drill down to address the questions ordinary people have as they struggle to help their disciples grow.
All of us who have committed ourselves to following Jesus and representing his name need to learn how to make disciples. It was the last thing he asked us to do before leaving the earth. If you as a Jesus-follower feel like you need help in learning how to do this in a way that feels natural, do yourself a favor and get Organic Disciple Making.Organic Disciplemaking: Mentoring Others Into Spiritual Maturity And Leadership Overview

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Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship (Shapevine) Review

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Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship (Shapevine) ReviewThere's a lot going for this book in terms of ideas and in trying to capture a missional form of discipleship.But it seems like a lot of effort is needed in sorting out the "chaff" from the "wheat". I did appreciate the efforts and intended applications of the book, overall though it's follow through seems a little off and it results in a mixed bag of ideas.
The foundational opening chapters of Hirsch's book I found good and thought provoking.But it's when they then develop from that truth, that things get a little subjective and disappointing. Untamed says that the focus of all faith and discipleship is found in the person of Jesus. How we relate to God and to each other must be from a Messianic viewpoint. They explain (very well in my opinion) that the trouble in the church is that there is too much subjectivity about Jesus, we remake Him in our own image. Therefore we must go back to a 'Biblical' definition of the nature of Christ to have a "true" picture. Hirsch uses the "Shema" (Hear Oh Israel) statement of Jesus' teaching for their foundational truth , i.e. You must love God with all you heart and you neighbor as yourself. So far so good. Then "untamed" goes on in the next chapters to relate that to becoming disciples and followers of this Jesus.
But rather then and go look at the "biblical" definitions of what Discipleship should too look like. The Hirsch's use their personal walk of faith as a methodology for working out the faith. Which is very subjective and reliant of their personal "church' experiences in Australia and elsewhere. But doesn't the New testament in it's background and teaching gives us a clear definitive pictures of what discipleship should look like already ? Otherwise what we can get, is a picture of the body of Christ as we came to faith and our personal preferences in it's style. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying, the expression of our faith can be according to our cultural and spiritual upbringing. There is no "accounting" for taste. But in the matter of living under the Messiah in His Kingdom, there's defined "life" boundaries and methods of evangelism. For example, prayer must be one of important foundations for discipleship growth. As Jesus not only "role modeled" praying, taught on the contents of a prayer life, but also gave commands to pray. Instead what we read in "Untamed" is a series of "straw men" arguments and discussions about Christian Community. What would have been better is a looking of what Biblical discipleship is defined as, what are the foundational important aspects to get right and then application of these to our fellowships and churches.
In the rest of the chapters then, I found I was reading a "how to" book of stories and personal value judgments of the Hirsch's. These, like all similar "how to " writings, can be are very hit and miss. Some good, some bland and some just deeply held opinions. Which is a pity, as it seems like the authors have the ability to define a brand of discipleship on a more biblical grounding. Whilst reading "Untamed" I also got the impression that they are trying to reinvent the " missional wheel " .A lot of what they write about was also explored in the early 1970's by the "Jesus" movement. Of wanting to relate the gospel to then hippie generation and "scene".
There were similarly many "Jesus Freaks' of the day who needed to be discipled and brought into the Faith. And it was through missional trial and sometimes cultural error; that they learned to build not on their on "subjective" prevailing sand, but on the eternal biblical Rock of ages.Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship (Shapevine) Overview

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A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society Review

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A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society ReviewA Long Obedience in the Same Direction
This is one of Eugene Peterson's earlier books, published about twenty years ago. During a lecture in May of 1999 in Vancouver, B.C. he remarked that many people had said to him that they loved the title, but hadn't quite gotten around to reading the book. This, of course, might be a sign that it's a bad book. Or it could be an indication that it simply doesn't deliver what some folks are looking for. I would suggest that it's a very good book indeed, but that you need a certain orientation in order to read it.
You need to love the Bible, for one thing. I don't mean love the Bible sentimentally. You need to be one who is willing to embrace the Bible for exactly what it is as it defines itself. It is not a promise book or a guide to "effective" living. Nor is it a book on how to keep out of hell. It is rather an immensely frank compilation of writings that point out God's presence in human history as a whole and God's presence in each person's life. It becomes God's word to us by virtue of its insistence upon God's "take" on reality at all points. That may not be so popular. In fact, I'm sure of it. It is certain that this reading of the Psalms of Ascent will not go down that well with the North American Christian who is looking for inspiration or solace or affirmation or any of the other self-gratifications we tend to require.
On the other hand, if you like to get to the bottom of things, Peterson's your man. Witness this excerpt:
"A common but futile strategy for achieving joy is trying to eliminate things that hurt: get rid of pain by numbing the nerve ends, get rid of insecurity by eliminating risks, get rid of disappointments by depersonalizing your relationships. And then try to lighten the boredom of such a life by buying joy in the form of vacations and entertainment. There isn't a hint of that in Psalm 126."
These psalms chronicling the rhythm of yearly pilgrimages to Jerusalem, a return to the presence of God, are handled with such grace by Peterson that one wonders how we've read them all these years without hearing the humble clumps of singing Jews walking along the dusty, gradual incline of the shephelah to the holy city. Speaking of the pilgrim path that we share with the Jews of the first millenium A.D., Long Obedience includes the following:
"A person has to be thoroughly disgusted with the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way. As long as we think that the next election might eliminate crime and establish justice or another scientific breakthrough might save the environment or another pay raise might push us over the edge of anxiety into a life of tranquility, we are not likely to risk the arduous uncertainties of the life of faith. A person has to get fed up with the ways of the world before he, before she, acquires an appetite for the world of grace. Psalm 120 is the song of such a person, sick with the lies and crippled with the hate, a person doubled up in pain over what is going on in the world..."
Peterson is no enterprising preacher repackaging his sermons in volumes of garish luminosity for eager visibility in the local Christian consumer shop. He is at once an authentic pastor and a poetic, writing scholar. So hitch up your pants, turn your head sideways, spit, and step into the gracious grit of Eugene Peterson.A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society Overview

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Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation Review

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Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation ReviewThis easy-to-read book provides sound, practical guidance for the development of a personal practice of spirituality. Dr. Mulholland recognizes the individual ways each of us approaches God, and he encourages us to develop these methods to their fullest measure. He also challenges us to explore spiritual disciplines with which we are less comfortable as a way to add depth to our relationships with God. His discussion on the nature of prayer weaves its way throughout the book and provides the foundation upon which spiritual disciplines are built. This book will prove useful to spiritual leaders who wish to introduce spiritual disciplines to others, as well as to individuals who want to explore ways to practice spiritual disciplines in everyday life.Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation Overview

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