Book Review | TJ Torgerson
I was able to get my hands on an early copy of Tim Gaines' book, "Walking the Theological Life.” It automatically won me over because Gaines begins by looking at two biblical characters who have become important to me for a variety of reasons: Jeremiah and Jacob. As a young teen exploring a calling, Jeremiah’s calling resonated with me. And as someone who has wrestled and struggled, Jacob’s story has become equally significant.
In this book, Gaines invites readers to explore theology not just as an academic exercise but as a transformative journey. He reflects on the lives of various biblical characters and encourages us to embrace the adventure of theological discovery and its profound impact on our faith and actions. Gaines' book shows us a narrative and personal approach to theology rather than a systematic or formulaic approach.
Who is this book for?
Students of the Bible and Theology: Anyone who wants to thoughtfully delve into the lives of biblical characters and their relationship with God.
Sunday school teachers and small group leaders: This book is 12 chapters long and could easily be adapted into lessons or discussions for a small group or Sunday school class. Each chapter ends with a prayer and reflection or discussion questions.
Personal devotional use: The prayers and reflection questions could also be used for personal devotions. The questions could act as personal journal writing prompts.
Pastors: A pastor could easily use this book to help create several different sermon series. One could spend a week on each character in the book or do a series on each character individually using the various points or ideas in each chapter for several sermons or lessons.
This is a great book that is fairly accessible. It seems to be written at an older high school/early college reading level. It is encouraging and thought-provoking. Below are twelve insights from 12 chapters, one of many for each chapter. Some of these are directly from the book; a few are ideas that springboard from the book. I don’t remember which are which, so you will have to buy the book.
Theology begins with being deeply known by God. Theology grows from the soil of uncertainty, a deep sense that we are not up for the task at hand. Theology happens at the crossroads of the transcendent and the immanent.
We would often rather avoid struggle, difficulty, suffering, pain, and hardship, but often that is exactly where we encounter God.
Humor and seriousness are not mutually exclusive. Sometimes the absurdity of the truth means the serious response is laughter.
Virtue is a product of communion with God.
Christian courage is action in the direction of God’s salvation.
The more you press into God, the more undone you will become. You become more uncomfortable, and your ideas and categories are more challenged. So, if you are consistently finding your views, opinions, and perspectives reinforced, then it may not be God that you are encountering.
Speak less, ponder more.
Our job is not to fix the world; we point to the one who does. Our work and our words are not our own.
"Do you see this woman?" Luke 7:44
“Questions have the possibility to lead us toward the goodness of truth in the person of Jesus, and Thomas teaches us that moving from zealous certainty toward questions is a virtue of the theological life.” (p. 147)
God meets us and even joins us in our grief and pain.
Ministry is theology lived out.
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Publisher : IVP Academic (June 11, 2024)
Language : English
Paperback : 232 pages
ISBN-10 : 1514007436
ISBN-13 : 978-1514007433
Item Weight : 11.9 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
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