Book Reviews / Pneuma 33 (2011) 109-169
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Patrick Keifert, ed., Testing the Spirits: How Teology Informs the Study of Congregations (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009). x + 205 pp. $24.00, paper.
In recent years there has been a rediscovery of the central importance of congregations for the study of theology. Now theology is understood as not merely an abstract and rather elitist pursuit but as operating fundamentally among the concrete realities in which we all live our lives. It is often the case that those most interested in congregational studies come from the social sciences, as they seek to get close to those of ‘religious’ dispositions. It is also worth noting that in the USA congregations have been valued as a key component of com- munity life and in many respects American scholars have led the way in the study of con- crete church life. In this collection of essays the role of theology comes to the fore as it is seen as the key discipline through which to reconsider the value and significance of congre- gations. It is written primarily for theology students preparing for ministry and their teach- ers seeking to prepare them. It is also written for local pastors in order to help them serve their congregations better and for ‘judicatory officials’ who seek to provide leadership for pastors and congregations. Terefore education is the raison d’être as the book seeks to provide knowledge and insight for contemporary church leadership.
Te contributors to this volume are mostly from the Lutheran tradition and span the disciplines of history, sociology, biblical studies, education, ethics, political science and theology. Tey met together regularly over the course of a three year period in order to present material and engage in dialogue among themselves and with invited guests. Tey named themselves the Congregational Studies Research Team (CSRT) and articulated a mission statement to guide the project:
We are a theological learning organization in direct partnership with congregations, church leaders, and teachers. In concert with the Spirit of God, this partnership seeks to build up and empower congregations for mission by engaging with them in a pro- cess of conversation and action involving spiritual discernment and theological reflec- tion about the necessary behaviours, skills, beliefs, and knowledge base for faithfully and effectively bringing people to a public identity in Christ (4).
In order to fulfil this aim the CSRT developed material and processes that were responsive to leaders and congregations. Te group understood these resources as a kind of toolbox enabling congregations to reflect upon issues and attitudes, and prepare for renewed action in the world. Te book represents the ‘initial reflections and tentative conclusions’ arising from the research process and offers self-reflection and critique based on the theological conversation among the CSRT.
Te book contains two main parts, followed by an epilogue and an appendix. In part one four essays are offered which aim to develop a theological approach to congregational study. Tey first essay looks at theological education, and in particular the role that practical rea- son, interpretation and imagination, rhetoric, and a sense of mission play within the con- gregation. Te second essay explores questions associated with the truthfulness of the Bible, and especially the role of rhetorical rationality in the interpretation of Scripture and moral discourse. Te third essay draws upon the text of Philippians 1-2 and considers the role that
© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011 DOI: 10.1163/157007411X554820
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Book Reviews / Pneuma 33 (2011) 109-169
congregations have vis-à-vis democracy when they are interpreted in light of the action of God. Te final essay in this section examines congregations as a ‘public moral companion’ alongside God and civil society.
Part two seeks to provide a theological approach for congregational moral discernment. Another four essays suggest how the reflection upon Christian practices can inform wisdom and imagination. Te first essay proposes a vision for the nurture of faith-based moral con- versations using Scripture, theological discussion, and interview training. Te second essay explores the use of Scripture in discerning the will of God via the lens of the cross, which is regarded as both the power and wisdom of God. Essay three offers a reflection on the testi- mony of experience in relation to Scripture for moral discourse. Te final essay considers the use of three metaphors (pioneer, prophet and servant-leader) within faith-based conver- sations as resources for congregations and their leaders.
Te epilogue picks up the title of the book and draws the threads together under the theme of discernment. It places the contributions within the context of theological educa- tion and practical theology and makes reference to the work of Don Browning, David Tracy, and Rebecca Chopp. It also seeks to appropriate the work of Karl Barth and Karl Rahner respectively as critical conversation partners. Finally, the appendix returns to the use of the Bible within congregational research. It outlines how Scripture is used to shape Christian imagination, confront prejudice and interpret reality.
I found this collection of essays to be extremely useful as an example of how a set of theologians might construct a conversation over a period of time. Te strengths of the col- lection are its clear commitment to education processes that involve participants from the congregations and which are rooted in the life of congregations. It is also pleasing to see a set of essays so obviously committed to the role of Scripture as the ‘norming norm’ for congregational life, whatever other resources are used to understand and interpret the text. Te weaknesses of the collection are that it has a rather parochial (Lutheran) feel about it and the scope of the conversation at times feels rather limited. It appears that certain texts relevant to recent congregational studies are missing, although this is not so easily observed because a bibliography is lacking. However, despite these weaknesses, I enjoyed reading the book very much and regard it as a welcomed addition to the literature on the subject. Scholars in the study of Pentecostalism will appreciate its emphasis on participation by the congregants in the educational processes. Tey will also find its approach to the interpreta- tion of Scripture in the context of congregational life to be interesting and suggestive for Pentecostal praxis.
Reviewed by Mark J. Cartledge
Director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies University of Birmingham, UK
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