Evangelicals engaging in practical theology; Theology that impacts church and world; First Edition

This book aims to introduce a distinctively evangelical voice to the discipline of practical theology. Evangelicals have sometimes seen practical theology as primarily a ‘liberal’ project. This collection, however, actively engages with practical theology from an evangelical perspective, both through discussion of the substantive issues and by providing examples of practical theology done by evangelicals in the classroom, the church, and beyond. This volume brings together established and emerging voices to debate the growing role which practical theology is playing in evangelical and Pentecostal circles. Chapters begin by addressing methodological concerns, before moving into areas of practice. Additionally, there are four short papers from students who make use of practical theology to re?ect upon their own practice. Issues of authority and normativity are tackled head on in a way that will inform the debate both within and beyond evangelicalism. This book will, therefore, be of keen interest to scholars of practical, evangelical, and Pentecostal theology. This book aims to introduce a distinctively evangelical voice to the discipline of practical theology. Evangelicals have sometimes seen practical theology as primarily a ‘liberal’ project. This collection, however, actively engages with practical theology from an evangelical perspective, both through discussion of the substantive issues and by providing examples of practical theology done by evangelicals in the classroom, the church, and beyond. This volume brings together established and emerging voices to debate the growing role which practical theology is playing in evangelical and Pentecostal circles. Chapters begin by addressing methodological concerns, before moving into areas of practice. Additionally, there are four short papers from students who make use of practical theology to reflect upon their own practice. Issues of authority and normativity are tackled head on in a way that will inform the debate both within and beyond evangelicalism. This book will, therefore, be of keen interest to scholars of practical, evangelical, and Pentecostal theology. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgements 11 List of contributors 12 Introduction 14 PART I: Engaging with the discipline 36 1. Practical theology and evangelicalism: Methodological considerations 38 2. Prophetic imagination as a mode of practical theology 53 3. The role of teleology in practical theology 69 4. A wonderful plan for my life? Pete Ward’s “the Gospel and Change” in dialogue with Charles Taylor 83 PART II: Engaging with education 98 5. From the boy in the temple to the man on the road: The maturing role of practical theology in the life of the church 100 6. Evangelicals learning practical theology: Autobiographical reflections 113 7. Developing reflective practitioners: Engaging evangelical ordinands in theological reflection 129 PART III: Engaging with practice 144 8. Educating for the common good: Engaging relational truth in a world of ideas 146 9. Salvation’s song 163 PART IV: Engagement by students 180 10. Developing critical thinking within the context of a small group Bible study 182 11. Theodrama: A contemporary application 190 12. Creating space: A reflection on chaplaincy work in a local day-hospice 198 13. An Elim community pneumatologically engaged in corporate theological reflection 205 PART V: Theology that impacts church and world 214 14. Evangelical practical theology: Reviewing the past, analysing the present and anticipating the future 216 Conclusion 231 Bibliography 238 Subject Index 258 Author Index 261 Biblical Index 267 Introduction;,1,Practical,theology,and,evangelicalism;,2,Prophetic,imagination,as,a,mode,of,practical,theology;,3,The,role,of,teleology,in,practical,theology;,4,A,wonderful,plan,for,my,life?,Pete,Ward's,“the,Gospel,and,Change”,in,dialogue,with,Charles,Taylor;,5,From,the,boy,in,the,temple,to,the,man,on,the,road;,6,Evangelicals,learning,practical,theology;,7,Developing,reflective,practitioners;,8,Educating,for,the,common,good;,9,Salvation's,song;,10,Developing,critical,thinking,within,the,context,of,a,small,group,Bible,study;,11,Theodrama;,12,Creating,space;,13,An,Elim,community,pneumatologically,engaged,in,corporate,theological,reflection;,14,Evangelical,practical,theology;,Conclusion Introduction,1 Practical theology and evangelicalism,2 Prophetic imagination as a mode of practical theology,3 The role of teleology in practical theology,4 A wonderful plan for my life? Pete Ward's “the Gospel and Change” in dialogue with Charles Taylor,5 From the boy in the temple to the man on the road,6 Evangelicals learning practical theology,7 Developing reflective practitioners,8 Educating for the common good,9 Salvation's song,10 Developing critical thinking within the context of a small group Bible study,11 Theodrama,12 Creating space,13 An Elim community pneumatologically engaged in corporate theological reflection,14 Evangelical practical theology,Conclusion