Kelly Kapic is professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He earned a PhD in systematic and historical theology at King's College, University of London and an M.Div. at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Kapic is the author or editor of numerous books such as God So Loved He Gave, Communion with God, and Mapping Modern Theology. Additionally, he has published articles in various journals, such as the International Journal of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Journal, Conversations in Religion and Theology, and Evangelical Quarterly.
The goal of this book is to show that theology is not a lifeless science that is separated from everyday life. The author shows this by saying, “Theology is not reserved for those in the academy; it is an aspect of thought and conversation for all who live and breathe, who wrestle and fear, who hope and pray.” (81) Whenever we read, think, hear or say anything about God, we are doing theology. Yet theology is not just a matter of what we think. It affects who we are.
In the tradition of Helmut Thielicke's A Little Exercise for Young Theologians, the author offers a concise introduction to the study of theology for newcomers to the field. He highlights the value and importance of theological study and explains its unique nature as a serious discipline. The author reminds us of this by saying, “Good theology is public theology.” (815)
Not only concerned with content and method, Kapic explores the skills, attitudes and spiritual practices needed by those who take up the discipline. This concise, clear and lively primer draws out the relevance of theology for Christian life, worship, mission, witness and more. "Theological reflection is a way of examining our praise, prayers, words and worship with the goal of making sure they conform to God alone." (109)
The author achieves this goal by first answering the question, “why study Theology”, and then by giving us characteristics of faithful theology and theologians. He first displays to us that we do need to study theology by saying, “One great danger of idols is that we try to fill our souls with what cannot satisfy, and then in our loneliness, questions and despair we wonder where God is. We were created for fellowship with God, and apart from that communion we are lost. Theology is about life, and it is not a conversation our souls can afford to avoid.” (126)
Theology is not an isolated activity that happens in an ivory tower. It is something that changes the way we live and affects those around us. The author displays this when he quotes Carolyn Curtis James, “Whether our theology is good or flawed, those we love most will be first to feel the effects.” (97) He also states, “Theology grows best in community.” (856) More is at stake than just our relationship with God or our thoughts, our theology can change the lives of those around us, in fact, since our theology is not dead it should change the lives and for some the eternity of those around us.
In the next section he points to the characteristics of faithful theology and theologians. In this section we learn that not only why we should study theology, but also what it looks like in the everyday life of a theologian. The author starts by first reminding us that, “true theology is inevitably lived theology.” (323)
However, the main goal of this section is to debunk several misconceptions about theology. First the author takes on the misconception that theology becomes defective because of faulty thinking. “Not so, argues Hodge. Our theology can become corrupted because we neglect to attend to our lives, for true theology must always be true spirituality. He concludes, “Holiness is essential to correct knowledge of divine things, and the great security from error.”” (360)
Another misconception that the author takes on is the misconception that not all people have a theology because some do not believe in a God. The author responds to this by saying, “There are no true unbelievers; we all place our trust in something. Therefore, whatever its content, our faith inescapably informs what we determine to be reasonable. Reason is not mocked by faithful theologians; it is put to proper use as the servant of faith rather than its master.” (505)
Next the author answers the question, which is more important, prayer or theology? He answers by appealing that they are not opposites. He says, “Our study informs our prayers, and our prayers enliven our study. We cannot choose between prayer and study; faithful theology requires prayerful study.” (613)
Similarly, he does the same for the question of tradition and scripture. He in the same way answers both by saying, “We do ourselves and God no favors by neglecting the faithful, whether they are living or dead. Those in the pew should not lord their instincts over their pastors and theologians, but neither should such leaders neglect the wisdom in the pew.” (972) However, just to clarify that scripture takes precedence he goes onto say, “With all of the importance of tradition, it cannot stand above Scripture, nor can the experience of the church.” (975)
The author also takes on the challenge of whether the Christian should pick between having strong emotions or solid theology. To answer this the author reminds us that, “The theologian who has no joy in his work is not a theologian at all. Sulky faces, morose thoughts and boring ways of speaking are intolerable in this science.” (1150)
A strength of this book is that its claims and arguments are very well supported. Throughout the book the author quotes several different theologians from different time periods as well as from different theological backgrounds. Another strength of this book is not only does he point us to other strong theologians that back up his claims, but the author also uses several biblical references from both the new and old testaments to back his claims.
Another strength of this book is the way that he delivers weighty theological truths in a concise and easily understandable language. One does not need a Masters degree nor have extensive background in Greek and Hebrew to understand the main point of this book.
The author does come from a reformed theological background, but does so in a way that would not scare off anyone that opposes reformed theology. The claims he makes about scripture and theology are done so in a way that does not use any terminology that others might find offensive or distracting.
Probably the biggest strength of this book is the manner that the author handles such theological claims with such great humility. Knowing that knowledge has a temptation to “puff up” the author approaches everything with humility even pointing out his goal by saying:
This book was not written from the perspective of a person who has arrived and finished the race. My prayers are weak, my pride a constant threat, my concern for the poor and those who suffer is often meager, and my struggle with faith is anything but over. I have known and continue to wrestle with suffering, doubt, weariness, hardness of heart and the constant presence of my own finitude. But I have also known joy, hope and the deepest comfort in my pilgrimage. What I describe above should be considered marks of a good theologian and theology, not because I have personally attained them but because I think they point in the right direction. I write merely as one sojourner to another. (1141)
In summary this is a great book for anyone starting out in the work of theology. It will help anyone not only know the why of studying theology, but also help them think through some of the pitfalls and misconceptions about who a theologian is and what he looks like. This book is a concise and easily readable book regardless of background.
A weakness of this book is that it does not point you out beyond this book. This book is great to get one started in the work of theology, but it would have been great if it could point the reader in the right direction for their next step as they continue to study theology. However, one could argue that in the notes section of the book, someone looking for the next step could start there. Although some of those references get heavy very quickly especially for a new theologian.
Overall this is a great book and would recommend it to anyone that is searching or has misconceptions on what theology really is about. The author achieves a great accomplishment by writing a concise book on theology that calls all to the task by reminding us that, “Theology is about life, and it is not a conversation our souls can afford to avoid.” (126)
Add Prime
to get Fast, Free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
This item: A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology (Little Books)
$10.49
Get it as soon as Friday, Apr 11
In Stock
+
$15.99
Get it as soon as Friday, Apr 11
In Stock
+
$17.56
Get it as soon as Friday, Apr 11
In Stock
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
More items to explore
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the brand
-
Popular IVP Academic Books
-
Biblical Studies
-
Commentaries
-
Apologetics
-
Philosophy
-
Theology
-
Arts & Humanities
-
Science
-
IVP Academic Series
About the author
Contents do not match cover!
Do NOT buy this item! When it happened the first time I thought it was just a weird mistake. Upon purchasing a second time, it was clear it wasn't a one time issue. The cover says "A Little Book For New Theologians" By Kelly M Kapic, but the actual contents are from another book called "Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms" By Stanley J Grenz and others. The book is just full of theological terms, with none of the content that should be in Kapic's work. See attached pictures. The owner of this listing needs to look into this immediately!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2016
- Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2013
- Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2012
Top reviews from other countries
-
Dietmar GrossReviewed in Germany on April 9, 2015
Klein aber (sehr(!)) fein! / Most excellent!
- mr A J Davies-WhitfieldReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2018
A helpful and practical read but still warming to the soul.
- AptThoughtsReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2013
Short but thought-provoking
