By: Katy Drage Lines on May 18, 2017
In his book, Shaping the Church, Martyn Percy introduces us to the concept of “implicit theology,” the idea that hidden, often unreflected practices, habits, and culture are not simply “benign and innocent,” but offer a great deal of value to understanding the ecclesiology of a particular expression of the church (both local congregations and broader…
By: Jim Sabella on May 18, 2017
Summary “Christianity is about much more than beliefs, propositions and formally sanctioned practices. Indeed, this is a deep misunderstanding about the nature of Christian life. The belief that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit is not an arid set of directives, but rather a faith that is embedded in a community of praxis…
By: Aaron Cole on May 18, 2017
Summary Shaping The Church, The Promise of Implicit Theology by Martyn Percy is an academic and yet simple view of the status of the church in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the United Kingdom. Percy gives an overview both statistically and ideologically of how the church is working in England, especially with conversion, confirmation, and…
By: Geoff Lee on May 18, 2017
In examining the “basic-but-nascent theological habits (e.g. language, culture, worship, practice etc.) that more properly account for the daily life of churches, congregations and denominations”[1], Dr Martyn Percy examines what he calls “implicit theology”, which is where theology and sociology, or Christian and contemporary cultures, meet. Implicit theology “notices and gives due attention to the…
By: Rose Anding on May 17, 2017
Introduction Implicit and explicit thoughts are two major types of relative terms for religious formalization. Religion does not require explicitness of the person’s belief. Rather, it needs the implicitness that leads to a moral expansions towards nature. Martyn Percy’s book, Shaping the Church, explains the ideas of religious theology in an implicit manner…
By: Mary Walker on May 16, 2017
“But the central foci with which we are concerned is how might we locate an implicit theology within a church, denomination or congregation, particularly if it is hidden?”[1] Shaping the Church is a collection of essays on ecclesiology, ministry, and sacraments particularly within the Anglican Communion in England with a view towards answering this question.…
By: Geoff Lee on May 14, 2017
This work resonated with me at several levels. Here are some of my key thoughts and take-aways: I have an inherent dislike of social media – always have. I am only on Facebook for this course. I do not tweet, use Snapchat, Instagram or anything else. This is not a value judgment. I…
By: Kevin Norwood on May 13, 2017
Thomas C Oden in his educational book How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind is an advocate for the recognition of Africa as a contributor to the history and future of Christianity. The phrase seedbed of early Christian thought is throughout and Oden makes a strong argument for the foundation of key principles straight from Africa. …
By: Jennifer Dean-Hill on May 12, 2017
Deep Thoughts about Deep Work As I write, I am struggling to enter into deep work. Distractions yank my concentration away from my writing, as email alerts spontaneously appear on the screen, movie background noises interrupt my thoughts, and my dog peers longingly through the glass door at me. Although I have cocooned myself…
By: Chip Stapleton on May 12, 2017
One of first things on my ‘must do’ list when we moved to Boston was visiting Walden Pond, Henry David Thoreau’s iconic retreat. I initially encountered Thoreau’s Walden because the paperback version of ‘On the Duty of Civil Disobedience’ that I wanted to read as a slightly rebellious and intellectually curious middle schooler, came as part of…
By: Kristin Hamilton on May 11, 2017
There are worse places to write about deep work than sitting by the pool at a house just outside of Palm Springs, CA. Honestly, though, I struggled to concentrate this week despite finding so many things within Cal Newport’s book that could eventually be life changing for me. When I opened the book and saw…
By: Pablo Morales on May 11, 2017
Thomas C. Oden graduated into heaven last year, after a journey of spiritual inquiry and academic career that led him to write several books. Among them was the Ancient Christian Doctrine Series. Through that research Oden realized how much of our Christian theological heritage comes from ancient African theologians. This discovery surprised him, because he…
By: Phil Goldsberry on May 11, 2017
Introduction While living in New York, an Egyptian Coptic Church built (1990) a new temple in Woodbury, New York. I was amazed at their architecture and location to build their gathering place. Of great interest is the name of the church: St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Center/ St. Abraam Church. This double name ties them back…
By: Lynda Gittens on May 11, 2017
DEEP WORK: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Newport Words by Iyanla Vanzant When reading this book, Newport mentioned the phrase ‘do the work.’ (111) The words “you must do the work” kept speaking to me. It’s a phrase often used by Iyanla Vanzant. Iyanla is a Life coach for many…
By: Stu Cocanougher on May 11, 2017
Memo: As you probably know, I have been working in a church office for over 25 years. During this time, serving in youth ministry and in missions ministry fit my personality. For the most part, I can regulate my own workload. With an inbox that is always full, I can choose to move back and…
By: Aaron Peterson on May 11, 2017
African Theology Matters The stated thesis of How Africa Shaped The Christian Mind by Thomas Oden is simple. African theology matters because, “Africa played a decisive role in the formation of Christian culture” (P9). I think the real impetus for this book though is a call to young Africans to rediscover the importance and influence…
By: Claire Appiah on May 11, 2017
Thomas Oden—How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind: Rediscovering the African Seedbed of Western Christianity Introduction The late Thomas Oden was a theologian affiliated with the American United Methodist Church. He was a prolific author of major theological works relating to Christian doctrine, orthodoxy, and spirituality. Oden was formerly the director of the Center for…
By: Christal Jenkins Tanks on May 11, 2017
“Whether you’re a writer, marketer, consultant, or lawyer: Your work is craft, and if you hone your ability and apply it with respect and care, then like the skilled wheelwright you can generate meaning in the daily efforts of your professional life.”[1] My Challenge: My workday begins when my alarm wakes me up at…
By: Rose Anding on May 11, 2017
How Should a Christian Think? “Just as the twinkle of stars was reduced to nuclear explosions, and life itself to biochemical reactions, so the brain may one day be explained by the same forces that run the rest of the universe.”[1] “What’s the matter? Never mind. What is mind?…
By: Jason Kennedy on May 11, 2017
A few years ago I was invited to speak at a pastor’s conference in Rwanda. Hundreds of pastors attended from the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda and of course Rwanda. I had prepared a topic that was theological. I spoke on the role of the Holy Spirit in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. After…
