Everyday Theology – How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends

Everyday theology is the reflective and practical task of living each day as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. In other words, theology is not just for Sundays, and it's not just for professional theologians. Everyday Theology teaches all Christians how to get the theological lay of the land. It enables them to become more conscious of the culture they inhabit every day so that they can understand how it affects them and how they can affect it. If theology is the ministry of the Word to the world, everyday theologians need to know something about that world, and Everyday Theology shows them how to understand their culture make an impact on it. Engaging and full of fresh young voices, this book is the first in the new Cultural Exegesis series.

Kevin J. Vanhoozer (PhD, University of Cambridge) is research professor of systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author or editor of many books, including the award-winning Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Charles A. Anderson is a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge. Michael J. Sleasman (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is managing director of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity at Trinity International University.

Generally speaking, students, theologians, pastors, and church leaders are well-trained in the task of biblical exegesis. Where many fall short, however, is in the area of cultural exegesis--reading and interpreting the texts and trends produced by our culture, which can have a profound influence on the way we understand the world and practice our faith. Anyone interested in the intersection of Christianity and culture needs to be able to do "everyday theology." This innovative volume will help readers think theologically about our cultural environment and respond faithfully as Christian disciples."I am one of those Christians who has theological questions about Eminem, MySpace, grocery stores, and the like. So I am very pleased that we now have this book of stimulating and important reflections on such matters. These authors demonstrate how to think theologically about popular culture."-- Richard J. Mouw, professor of faith and public life and former president, Fuller Seminary"Kevin Vanhoozer, Charles Anderson, and Michael Sleasman bring together a bright team of culture readers who help us see common things in uncommon ways and describe them with uncommon yet useful terms. They are pioneers, I hope, of a new era among faithful people in constructive, discerning, and loving engagement rather than reactive, superficial, and judgmental antagonism toward our culture."-- Brian McLaren, author/activist (brianmclaren.net)"There is now a proliferation of books on religion and popular culture but very few books on theology and popular culture. This book seeks to remedy that and offers a rationale for why and how Christians should 'read' popular culture. Kevin Vanhoozer's approach strikes a wise balance between interpreting popular culture with open good will for where God might really be speaking and a biblically formed suspicion for the cunning manufacture of idols. The selection of cultural artifacts examined in part 2 is wide ranging, quirky, and inspired."-- Kelton Cobb, director and professor of Christian thought and history, The Oregon Extension, Eastern Mennonite University

Everyday theology is the reflective and practical task of living each day as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. In other words, theology is not just for Sundays, and it's not just for professional theologians. Everyday Theology teaches all Christians how to get the theological lay of the land. It enables them to become more conscious of the culture they inhabit every day so that they can understand how it affects them and how they can affect it. If theology is the ministry of the Word to the world, everyday theologians need to know something about that world, and Everyday Theology shows them how to understand their culture make an impact on it. Engaging and full of fresh young voices, this book is the first in the new Cultural Exegesis series.

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