Introduction
Religion is a crucial aspect of society. This is evident in the influence it has on society. It is crucial for individuals to understand life from a theological standpoint. In the book, How to Think Theologically, by Howard W. Stone and James O. Duke, the authors explore the influence of theology on human life and help the readers to examine their lives using this standpoint. In addition, the book shapes the theological understanding of individuals. In the book, there are several questions, which are used to determine the significance of theological knowledge on individuals. The approach adopted by the authors help in affirming the role of experience, tradition, reason and scripture. Despite the book being confined to the cognitive aspect of a reflective theory, the work is instrumental during analysis, comprehension and human life. The process of reflection differs among Christians. However, it is essential that it be under the context of Christianity.
In the book, the authors declare that every Christian is a theologian. This means that the status is not confined for the learned but is an inclusive position. This is due to the ability of Christians to relate the dictates of Christianity to their daily experiences. This result in individuals proposing an approach, which involves a thinking process that is more careful and less, tangled. This approach enables Christians to be more reflective about the theological dictates, which are embedded, in the Christian community than before. Christians according to the authors should adopt deliberative theology whereby they are proactive in reflecting carefully on theological teachings (14). The book is not confined to thought as is the implication of the title but it explores how the reflections can influence the life of a Christian.
Another notable approach in the book is that the authors have explored extensively a methodological approach for individuals to use when creation their personalized theology. The authors liken theology with a craft whereby individuals interpret theological sentiments to create a personalized product. This means that Christians need to interpret the Christian faith and the meaning of the same in order to create a link between these interpretations and situations, which they experience in their daily lives (73). This results in a Christian creating a theological template whereby the correlations between Christian teachings and their personal experiences. According to Stone and Duke, this approach will equip Christians with the knowledge that engages them in a theological level. The authors affirm the significance of theological texts from the past, with the present scenario making it relevant for all Christians.
The approach of the authors in the book involves an approach of listening and questioning. According to Stone and Duke, listening involves the process where a Christian allows in new information. The active waiting by Christians during the listening process allows the experience of illumination from the Holy Spirit. The authors depict the act of questioning as the remedy for complacency. This means that a Christian should explore the old answers about theological issues in order to determine their validity. This is essential in ensuring that the preconceptions and rationales concerning different issues are reflected upon in order to determine the significance of this information. In addition, individuals should question their own perceptions and answers on theological interpretations. The book cites that listening is essential for receptivity while questioning enables an individual to be honest. These aspects are essential in ensuring that individuals progress and mature in the understanding of theology.
The authors in the opening three chapters explore the reasons for and how Christians should approach theology. The term “embedded theology” is prominent in the first chapter. The authors explore the sources of theological knowledge in the society, which in turn create a perception in the minds of individuals about theological issues. Theological messages, according to the authors are intrinsic and are evident in various theological communications. These communications include preaching, prayer, songs, social action, liturgy, personal conduct and other activities, which people use in promoting the gospel. Considering this information, the authors in this chapter explore the significance of embedded theology on the lives of individuals and on how they perceive religion. This is the basis for the concept of imbedded theology. The authors determine the relationship between embedded and deliberate theology. The authors encourage Christians to be proactive in reflecting on the imbedded theology in order to obtain the truth. According to book, this is essential since religion influences the daily endeavors of individuals, and this dictates that individuals should comprehend various issue concerning theology, and on how this influences lives. The authors also appreciate that there are divergent views concerning religion in society. In addition, human experiences also change and vary according to individuals. In order for the faith of individuals to deepen, it is essential for them to explore the embedded theology further in order to obtain extensive and comprehensive answers on religion and life.
In addition, the authors offer exercises that guide Christians in the process of theological reflection. However, these exercises are not rigid system but are mere guidelines to ensure that a Christian is proactive during theological reflection. This will enable the theological reflections to be incorporated in the daily lives of Christians from the basic to the complicated aspects of life. These three exercises are vocation, the gospel and the human condition. These sentiments are evident in chapter four through to seven. In chapter 8, the authors revisit an earlier point, whereby, the significance of questions and listening in theological reflection. The authors dictate that in order for Christians to be exceptional theologians, they should adopt a stance, which is probing, honest and observant. This will ensure that the Christian sees theological matters in a different perspective due to the reflection and deliberation of theological facts. This approach is instrumental in challenging the existent status quo on religious understanding. This is essential since Christians will have a deeper understanding of religion and will be able to practice the dictates of Christianity more effectively in their daily existence. In addition, critical inquiry is the description, study and framing of theological views responses and judgments. All these endeavors are explored in the Christian community context.
In chapter 9, Stone and Duke explore forming the spirit. In this chapter, the authors mention various spiritual disciplines, which are crucial for theological reflection. According to Stone and Duke, the relationship between God and individuals is sensitive. This means that when an individual has a displaced attitude, they risk detachment from God. In this chapter, the authors explore spiritual formation whereby various disciplines, which enhance the relationship of individuals and God. Some of the disciplines highlighted in this chapter include the following. The book explores disciplines such as worship, prayer, meditation, scripture reading and prayer. As Stone and Duke states, “A responsible theologian is guided by deliberations on the historic themes of faith, by scripture and tradition, by worship, and by engaged service in the world .”It is essential for Christians to be receptive and sensitive on God’s presence in any situation of their lives. Individuals should be open to recognizing and receiving the insight of the Holy Spirit (43). According to the Stone and Duke, spiritual formation is essential in enriching, informing and balancing the reflection of individuals on theological matters. This is because a “Christian’s theology is, of course, very much his or her own . (12)” This will ensure that the existing gap between human experiences and the scripture is reduced significantly.
One of the strengths in the premise of Stone and Duke is the consideration that every Christian is a theologian. This is based on the influence of religion in their daily lives with or without reflective interpretation. Christians gain life knowledge using the experiences they encounter in daily lives. However, this is based on the knowledge provided by Christian teachings. Therefore, the comprehension of individuals concerning theological matters is shaped by the church teachings and life experiences. This is essential since individuals will make decisions based on the embedded understanding on Christianity and the consequent reflection.
Considering that theology is influential in the real life affairs, it is essential that the subject receive more attention in the society. This premise is evident in the approach of the authors encouraging deliberate reflection on theological matters. This approach enables individuals to comprehend deeply the theological questions and issues which they had previously taken for granted. This approach enables Christians to have alternative understandings of theological matters, whereby, answers that are satisfactory on different theological issues. In order for individuals to be reflective in their comprehension of theological matters, they should be able to question their personal interpretation of theological issues (21). Despite this approach being discouraged from the church setting, Stone and Duke, state the questioning ones, theological comprehension is essential in fostering development among Christians. Therefore, individuals should be allowed to question what they observe and reflect on the issue in order to know the truth.
The authors are proficient in exploring the significance of religion in the human experience. However, despite their detailed and well-documented arguments, the work appears to be addressed to individuals who are trained in theology. This means that other individuals might have a difficult time comprehending the premise in the book. However, the autho4rs try to address this using a detailed bibliography, which is aimed at aiding readers to comprehend the details in the book.
Reflecting on the argument of the book, the authors contend that theology is a non-mandatory indulgence, but it is a crucial requirement in the daily lives of individuals. Therefore, individuals need to comprehend the subject in order to understand the influence of religion on human experiences. The authors assist readers to analyze their theological backgrounds. In addition, the sentiments in the book enable individuals to be deliberate about the convictions of embedded faith. The book is instrumental in breaking the barriers, which impeded individuals to engage theological knowledge at a deeper level to facilitate personal reflections and interpretations (18).
Conclusion
Religion has a significant role in society. This is evident in the influence theology has in the lives of individuals. However, in order for individuals to develop theologically, it is crucial they listen to and question their embedded faith in order to establish the truth. According to the book How to Think Theologically, all Christians are theologians and should be encouraged to be reflective in their interpretation of theology.
Bibliography
Stone W. Howard and Duke O. James, How to Think Theologically, 2nd ed. (Minneapolis:
Fortress Press, 2006).
