How to Think Theologically, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Howard W. Stone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2006

An outstanding introduction for college, seminary, and lay readers, this second edition of the 1996 volume has been fully updated and expanded with new resources, examples, vignettes, diagnostic exercisess, and case studies. Addressing the how and why of theological sources, moves, and methods, Stone and Duke guide readers into their own theological roots and then into major theological topics - gospel, sin and salvation, vocation, ethical discernment - through real-life case studies.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"This book is not intended only for people beginning formal theological studies. Rather, Stone and Duke argue that all believers are theologians because they all have to interpret their own lives in the light of biblical other norms.... The authors always take great pains to explain everything, Simplicity is their goal, and they reach it." — The Christian Century

"Stone and Duke have produced a readable and useful primer on theological reflection. Their clear, comprehensive method is illustrated by plenty of vignettes, examples, case studies, and diagnostic exercises. A successful introduction to the practice of theology!" — Don R. Browning, University of Chicago, Divinity School

About the Author

James O. Duke is Professor of History of Christianity and Historical Theology at Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth.

Howard W. Stone is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling at Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University. Among his many influential books are Brief Pastoral Counseling, Crisis Counseling, and (with James O. Duke) How to Think Theologically, all from Fortress Press. He is also the editor of the Fortress Press series Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: FORTRESS PRESS; 2 edition (February 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800638182
• ISBN-13: 978-0800638184
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Howard W. Stone Ph.D., is a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, a pastoral counselor, the author or editor of many books in the Fortress Press Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling series, and a professor emeritus at Texas Christian University. Two previous editions of Crisis Counseling have sold 45,000 copies in the United States and has been published in six other countries. In addition, he has written approximately 60 published journal articles and book chapters and has served on four editorial boards of professional journals.In its first two editions, Howard Stone's Crisis Counseling has become a standard text for clergy and other pastoral caregivers and cemented the author's status as one of the leading figures in the field of pastoral counseling. This third edition builds on the strengths of the earlier editions--specifically, an easily grasped and adopted intervention model--and expands it to consider the needs of people facing crisis in a post-9/11, post-Katrina world. With a thoroughly updated bibliography, new case studies, and an expanded focus on suicide, intervention in volatile or hazardous situations, and the personal safety of the caregiver this new edition will continue this title's status as a standard-bearer in the field.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very thoughtful, November 28, 2003

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Think Theologically (Paperback)

'How to Think Theologically' by Howard Stone and James Duke is a wonderfully accessible text, not about any particular school of theology, but rather, how to think theologically within almost any framework. While there are certainly some theological settings that prefer to go unquestioned and resist critical reflection, many are open to the kinds of reflection and critical analysis Stone and Duke describe here.

Perhaps the most important concept in the entire text come early in the text, and that is the concept of embedded versus deliberative theology. Embedded theology is that kind of theological content that is in us without our necessarily being aware of it. Embedded theology can come from early childhood ideas of God, Jesus, etc. Embedded theology can come from hymn texts, prayers, and sermons that reinforce ideas. Embedded theology can come from family, friends and neighbours. These are influences, subtle and explicit, that form a theological mindset in a person about just who and what God is, what God wants, what the church and community expects, etc.

Those churches and theological communities that resist critical analysis and reflection stand on shaky ground. They discourage questioning, often appealing to the ultimate source ('Who are you to question God?') when such arise. What is sometimes missed is that it is not God who is being questioned (not that there is necessarily anything wrong with that, given the number of times in the Bible examples of God being questioned and bargained with are presented), but rather an individual's or community's preconceptions of God that are being questioned.

This gets into deliberative theology. Deliberative theology is a second-order process, of asking important questions about who, what, when, where, how and why. Not all questions can be answered. Not all will be relevant. Sometimes, deliberative theology will serve to strengthen the embedded theological ideas; sometimes, deliberative processes will cause a reconstruction and reconception.

Stone and Duke look at the different types of questions to be asked, and what to do with answers, as well as how to deal with ambiguities and inconsistencies. This book is not one that brings theological thinking to a conclusion, but rather is a starting point. It is often used in seminaries as a beginning to theological reflection, either in introductory classes or systematic theology classes (as is being done in my seminary this year). It is also worthwhile reading for anyone who wishes to have a stronger foundation upon which to build the faith of a community, so that honest questions can be dealt with in an honest fashion, rather than ignored or discouraged.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And It Was Painless!!, November 8, 2006

By 

Manuel Hernandez (Groton, CT) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: How to Think Theologically, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Whenever it comes to reading books on Theology or books written by Theologians I simply reach out and take 2 aspirins as a pre-emptive move. It just simply hurts to both understand these scholars and to realize how little I know.
This book on the other hand is written in a non-threatening way as a sensitive scholar may speak to his eager to learn but scared students. After reading this book I actually felt confident enough to begin sorting out my faith on my own and not simply rely on commentaries. In the process Theology became real, vibrant and even up lifting as I applied the results of this book.
Now don't get me wrong. I had to re-read some chapters to get it all but that was because I wanted to get it all and not because it was written in "high english". The authors actually made me feel that I wanted to get it and that I could get it.
I especially liked the explanation of sequential thinking vs. parallel synthetic thinking on page 60. This helped me understand how and why I think the way I do.
Another great aspect of this book is that it only 125 pages long which put me at ease when I sat down to read a book on theology that wasn't 500 pages long. The authors get to the point and have to be clear about it if they want to make a small book a success. And they did!!!

35 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent "Primer" on basic theological issues and methods, April 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Think Theologically (Paperback)

Stone and Duke have an excellent style of writing. They make you feel as if you are sitting with them around a comfortable table having a late evening discussion over a hot cup of coffee. Their real world examples bring their theological concepts into crystal clear focus and assists the reader in transforming external theological principles into interalized spiritual practices