Theological practices that matter

Abstract

Attending to “practices” as points of departure for in-depth theological reflection is a promising shift toward theology that more directly engages the life of the church. These practices are vital; they need to be grounded in and guided by basic theological understandings, and critiqued if they are inconsistent with such understandings. In this sense, through practices we realize that theology does matter. Some participants in the concluding consultation of the Theology in the Life of the Church program reflect theologically on such diverse practices as reading the Bible; worship; baptism; forgiveness of sin; church discipline; inclusion of children at the Eucharist; spiritual care of the dying; stigmata as marks of Christ; sexual taboos; engaging political powers; and theological formation in daily life. Contributor include: Dorothee Arnold (Germany), Ramathate Dolamo (South Africa), Norma Cook Everist (USA), Kristin GraffKallevåg

(Norway), Paul Isaak (Namibia/Switzerland), Margot Kässmann (Germany), Dirk Lange (USA), Alex Mkumbo (Tanzania), Elieshi Mungure (Tanzania), Fidon Mwombecki (Tanzania/Germany), Lisandro Orlov (Argentina), Gary Simpson (USA), Martha Ellen Stortz (USA), Teresa Swan Tuite (USA), Jens Wolff (Germany).