By: Julie Dodge on October 25, 2013
Where does one begin an honest journey of exploration? McGrath, in his work Christian Theology: An Introduction, [i] starts at the beginning. Sort of. He starts at the beginning of Christianity as a forming religion. McGrath provides a crash course through the history of Christianity (post Christ) and its formative ideas, then quickly moves through…
By: Richard Rhoads on October 25, 2013
During my seminary years I worked as a trauma MRI tech at a University Hospital here in the States. On one of my first days at work, my mentor which was assigned to me shared with me that one of the greatest assets in saving patients lives was our human imagination. She was so right! …
By: Bill Dobrenen on October 24, 2013
As I read Alister McGrath’s Christian Theology[1] (2011), I was struck by many thoughts. But one theme that kept rising again and again was the notion that we cannot forget those who came before us. This is especially true for people of faith. We Christians often think of our faith as being personal, but it…
By: Ashley Goad on October 24, 2013
“Hakuna Matata. What a wonderful phrase! It means no worries, for the rest of your days. It’s a problem free philosophy! Hakuna Matata!” So sing characters Timon the Meerkat and Pumbaa the Warthog to Simba the Lion while dancing through the African plains in the movie The Lion King. It finally hit me! For years,…
By: Mitch Arbelaez on October 24, 2013
Ready! Set! Go! From the Patristic Period through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Hurry now, round the loop through the Age of Reformation and a lickety-split finish at the Modern Period and present day. And that was just the first of three sections (97 pages) of the 464 page 5th edition of Alister E.…
By: David Toth on October 24, 2013
The Leadership Mystique by Manfred Kets De Vries is one of the best practical books on leadership that I have read. In the book he covers the full range of leadership aspects, from the ‘inner life’ of a leader, to dealing with change, understanding failure, characteristics of effective leadership, to global leadership profile, and leadership…
By: Garrick Roegner on October 24, 2013
Two questions: Where was tempura invented? Where was the Caesar salad invented? If you answered Japan and Italy, you are of course wrong. The correct answers are Portugal and Tijuana, Mexico. Portugese missionaries brought tempura to Japan in the 16th century. Meanwhile, the Caesar salad was birthed by American-Italians who opened a restaurant in Mexico during…
By: Phil Smart on October 24, 2013
The Leadership Mystique and Play-doh – Manfred Kets De Vries I’m sitting in an “Inspire Justice” advocacy conference put on by a partnership between World Vision and our church. The attendance isn’t what we had planned and hoped for, but key leaders are here and for that I’m grateful. But as I listen to the…
By: Chris Ellis on October 24, 2013
The Leadership Mystique by de Vries is a thorough psychoanalysis of leaders, followers and organizations and reads like a companion guide to the DSMV IV. Though this kind of leadership book is probably not read by many (it’s the first of its kind for me), I think many would find it interesting. It gives an…
By: Deve Persad on October 24, 2013
Sunday afternoon, while in London, at our recent Advance, a choice was set before me. I could use the time I had remaining to immerse myself in one or two historic landmarks (i.e. museum, aquarium, palace) or I could get a quick overview of almost everything historically significant. I chose the latter, paid my thirty…
By: Sharenda Roam on October 23, 2013
In his writing “The Leadership Mystique” Manfred Kets de Vries explains, “My main objective in studying leadership is to bring the person back into the organization.”… He continues and states that too many organizations leave the human element out and focus more on structures and systems. Instead, he suggests that focusing on the individual brings…
By: Fred Fay on October 23, 2013
Imagine with me the following scenario. You are part of a large organization. The organization has transitioned from an iconic longtime leader to a young, take-the-bull-by-the-horns leader who is working to revitalize it. There is a huge pressure to bring about health change to an organization that was stagnated and dying. Signs were hopeful, change…
By: Stefania Tarasut on October 18, 2013
It is hard to place “theology” and “short” in the same sentence because just hearing the word theology stirs in us a plethora of feelings, images and complexities. In his little book “Theology: A very Short Introduction” David Ford does a pretty good job of not only being short, but being pretty objective as he…
By: Miriam Mendez on October 18, 2013
In reading, Theology: A Very Short Introduction, I found myself saying: “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Yes, because David Ford not only challenges and encourages me to think deeply about theology but also challenges me to go beyond thinking. Ford challenges me “to move from thinking about the discipline of theology into direct theological thinking, beginning with…
By: Telile Fikru Badecha on October 18, 2013
After reading Theology: A Very Short Introduction I noted a couple of crucial issues the author David Ford brilliantly discusses in relation to theology and religious studies. Throughout this book he emphasizes the need to think further and deeper to be able to engage with issues that are relevant to us in our ministry context.…
By: Michael Badriaki on October 18, 2013
This week’s reading “Theology: A Very Short Introduction” by David Ford drew out my thoughts about theology even further in rather unique ways. “Theology: A Very Short Introduction”, put to words what I’ve always wanted to articulate about my ongoing journey with Christian theology. Admittedly, there are times when I intellectually connect with Christian theology…
By: Carol McLaughlin on October 18, 2013
Reading David F. Ford’s Theology: A Very Short Introduction is at the same time compelling, in the sense of wanting to read more deeply and daunting, if ever so slightly, because he does not back away from asking the challenging questions one must ask in the study of theology. It is these questions in every…
By: Julie Dodge on October 18, 2013
As I sat to write about David F. Ford’s, “Theology: A Very Short Introduction”[1] I was uninspired. And then a phrase came to my mind: “Taste and see that the Lord is good…” (Psalm 34:8). It was then that I discovered what I was missing. Ford’s purpose is to provide an introduction to the huge…
By: rhbaker275 on October 18, 2013
Who needs theology? What is theology? How do we study theology? The weekly readings in the course of study on “Engaging Leadership Concepts” have attempted to stimulate our thinking as we consider these questions. What leaders believe is obviously important; equally important is to consider the basis and the source of belief. How leaders have…
By: Cedrick Valrie on October 18, 2013
Chocolate – sweet, savory, delicious, enjoyable, and it comes with an untold story. Often times those who take delight in eating chocolate are unaware of its journey before making it into their hands and stomachs. The chocolate industry is great at marketing, selling, and profiting tens of billions of dollars each year from the cocoa…
