Keith Magee is a Visiting Researcher at the Center for Practical Theology conducting research on the Prosperity Gospel and the Poor. Keith is a trained economist and religious scholar, and brings this lens to his research, specifically at the intersections of economics and spirituality. His research began with his own interest in religious history considering […]
Andrew Tripp is a Ph.D. candidate in Practical Theology with a concentration in Church and Society. He currently serves as a hospital chaplain while in the writing phase for his dissertation. His doctoral research is focused on urban churches and poverty. Andrew has sought out to identify churches that are being the church through their […]
Dr. Gail Cafferata is Visiting Researcher at the Center for Practical Theology conducting research on church closings and the experiences of mainline pastors who have guided congregations through the process of closing. Read More
Shane Claiborne. The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2006. Book Review submitted by Xochitl Alvizo, Ph.D. Candidate in Practical Theology, Concentration: Congregation and Community “Growing smaller and smaller until we take over the world,” is the title of the second to last chapter in Shane Claiborne’s book The Irresistible […]
Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger. Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005. Book Review submitted by Xochitl Alvizo, Ph.D. Candidate in Practical Theology, Concentration: Congregation and Community Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger conducted an investigation on “the nature of emerging churches and movements,” churches and movements that […]
David Kinnaman. Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity…and Why it Matters. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2007. Book Review submitted by Xochitl Alvizo, Ph.D. Candidate in Practical Theology, Concentration: Congregation and Community Unchristian is a book that results from a research project inspired by Gabe Lyons’ interest to “help a new generation of […]
Gerhard Lohfink. Does God Need the Church? Toward a Theology of the People of God. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1999. Book Review submitted by Xochitl Alvizo, Ph.D. Candidate in Practical Theology, Concentration: Congregation and Community The work of salvation that God has done in Christ is not realized in its full scope if Christ does […]
Title: Work in the Spirit: Toward a Theology of Work Author: Miroslav Volf Publisher: Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2001 Reviewer: Josh Sweeden, Ph.D. Student in Practical Theology What would it mean if the starting point for a theology of work was the Spirit and charisma instead of creation and vocation? Theologies of work […]
Title: Wendell Berry and the Cultivation of Life Author: J. Matthew Bonzo and Michael R. Stevens Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2009 Reviewer: Josh Sweeden, Ph.D. Student in Practical Theology Matthew Bonzo and Michael Stevens believe Wendell Berry is a crucial voice for the world today, and more particularly, for Christians today. Their project […]
Title: Theories of Culture: A New Agenda for Theology Author: Kathryn Tanner and Paul Lakeland, Eds. Publisher: Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997 Reviewed by: Nell Becker Sweeden, Ph.D. Student in Practical Theology In Theories of Culture: A New Agenda for Theology, Kathryn Tanner opens her first chapters with a comprehensive view of the development of cultural […]