Let's Do Theology

Laurie Green studied in London and New York prior to seventeen years in challenging parish ministry. He spent seven years training women and men for ordained ministry before being made Bishop in the Church of England. He has taught around the world and two of his books, including Urban Ministry and the Kingdom of God, have been awarded 'book of the year' status by the Church Times, UK.

...a classic text in contextual theology, and I welcome the publication of this new revised edition. I hope that a whole new generation of Christians will be inspired to move beyond just reading theology to doing it.

• Preface PART I: DESCRIBING THE PROCESSChapter 1: Transforming Theology Why do theology?Participating in TheologyLet's Do Theology!Living through exciting times:1. Salvation and the Kingdom of God2. All theology has context3. Theology includes action4. The question of power5. God's concern for the marginalised6. Courageous spiritualityChapter 2: A New Way to Do TheologyDeveloping a methodThe Doing Theology SpiralSome health warningsAn African ExampleA British urban exampleGetting stuckMind the GapPART II: THE FOUR PHASESChapter 3: Starting from ExperienceMaking the experience come alive1. Getting to know the group2. Discerning the Focus3. Sharing First impressions4. Explaining the process5. Getting the best from the group6. The Group7. Personality differences8. The Leadership9. Confidence building10. Tools to encourage the theological processa. Stating the Problemb. Word-associationc. Keeping a recordd. Multi-mediaChapter 4: ExploringFrom Anecdote to analysis Using the analytical tools Gathering analytical informationGathering historical information Gathering geographical information Gathering social information Gathering economic information Discerning the culture Religious factorsThe exploration of ourselves Making sense of the informationLooking for connections Looking for causes Looking for values6. Celebrating the GroupChapter 5: Reflecting1. Challenge from the Christian tradition2. Why do theological reflection?3. The liberation of the imagination4. A selection of set piecesa. Biblical Approachesi. Simple listii. The checklistiii. Bibliodramaiv. Public enactmentv. Bible themes & charactersvi. Narrating the Biblevii. Prepared questionsviii. Using art materials5. Connecting with other Christian treasures6. Making the connections7. The Baby and the Bathwater8. Checking our intuitions9. Focusing the VisionChapter 6: RespondingFulfilling the Dream Knowing what is to be done Criteria for selectionImportance and viability Who will benefit? Causes not symptoms Who will be involved? Will the response preach the gospel?Aims and Strategies Implementation Dealing with our fears Continuing round the spiralPART III: THINKING IT THROUGHChapter 7: Challenging implications1. The problem of hermeneutics2. The question of authority3. Who should do theology?4. The People's TheologianChapter 8: Other Styles of TheologisingStyles determined by Rolei. Personal Walk with Godii. Me and my Groupiii. Me in the Ministryiv. The Church in SocietyStyles determined by Learning Preferencei. The living human documentii. Constructing Storiesiii. Acting out the Mind of Christiv. Living the Body of Christv. Speaking out about Godvi. Value-committed Actionvii. Theology with a local accentWhere Do I see God?i. Treasure Hunt Theologyii. God on the attackiii. Planting the Gospeliv. God in the Mixv. The Praxis Model4. Four criticisms 5. A Rule of Life Chapter 9: Spirituality ~ Where will we find God?1. A Rabbinic Storya. Finding God where you areb. Finding God in servanthoodc. Finding God at the edgesd. Finding God in the Issuese. Finding God in repentancef. Finding God in money, sex and power2. Joys and Sorrows in the Spirita. Theology and self-sacrificeb. Celebration with the struggle3. Worship and prayer4. The Practice of Prayer5. Converting the Church6. Church as Privileged Instrument of the KingdomAppendix: A survey of sub-disciplines usually considered to be the content of academic or conventional theologySelected bibliography and contact addresses