Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Freelance theologian Cyzewski enters into the Emergent conversation from the conservative end of the evangelical spectrum. He urges readers to explore theology while reassuring them that they don't have to become postmodern philosophers: theology can be considered, as it were, in the coffeehouse. Arguing that "our local settings and cultural values-in other words, our context-influence how we read God's Word," Cyzewski approaches "contextual theology" by weaving together discussions of mission, culture, God, Scripture, tradition and the global church. Personal anecdotes of his own growth in faith are disarming in their honesty. While this accessible work is a useful introduction to aspects of Emergent theology, Cyzewski's summary of modernism and postmodernism is sometimes too sketchy to be useful; however, each chapter includes valuable suggestions for further reading. Gently nudging his fellow Christians to listen to diverse points of view, Cyzewski doesn't explain why he is committed to engaging in dialogue with some aspects of culture and not others (say, progressive theologians and secularists). This addition to books about emerging and missional forms of Christianity ends on a hopeful note for unity across denominations.
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Review

Freelance theologian Cyzewski enters into the Emergent conversation from the conservative end of the evangelical spectrum. He urges readers to explore theology while reassuring them that they don't have to become postmodern philosophers: theology can be considered, as it were, in the coffeehouse. Arguing that "[o]ur local settings and cultural values--in other words, our context--influence how we read God's Word," Cyzewski approaches "contextual theology" by weaving together discussions of mission, culture, God, Scripture, tradition and the global church. Personal anecdotes of his own growth in faith are disarming in their honesty. While this accessible work is a useful introduction to aspects of Emergent theology, Cyzewski's summary of modernism and postmodernism is sometimes too sketchy to be useful; however, each chapter includes valuable suggestions for further reading. Gently nudging his fellow Christians to listen to diverse points of view, Cyzewski doesn't explain why he is committed to engaging in dialogue with some aspects of culture and not others (say, progressive theologians and secularists). This addition to books about emerging and missional forms of Christianity ends on a hopeful note for unity across denominations. (Sept.) --Publisher's Weekly Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (August 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600062776
• ISBN-13: 978-1600062773
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #181,212 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Theology Book for Today, October 13, 2008

By	E. C. Baird (Boston's North Shore) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a book about theology, but it's not a big, fat, scary one. Rather, it's a book that explains how to "do" theology in simple, straightforward ways. As an M.Div student myself, I first began to read this book thinking that it would be a book for new Christians, or Christians who may not want higher theological training or perhaps that new fangled "emerging church" group. And I do think it's a great book for those audiences. But I also think that it's a good read for those with a theological background, because Cyzewski writes this book for now, for this time, for this culture in America, and for this generation that is just emerging into the faith.

Christians must be able to speak about their faith clearly and with their audience in mind and this book is a great aid for that. The audience is front and center at all times for Cyzewski - and the audience is just whoever happens to amble on into any given coffeehouse. In other words, no matter where one is at in their Christian walk or search for truth, this book will be a useful aid at teasing out the right questions to consider and think through. Cyzewski's `contextual theology' provides a way of thinking about the Christian faith that is not just academic, but takes into account our culture and our relationships.

Cyzewski has clear views about the Bible and the person of Jesus and the church. But he also understands the enormous influence that our culture plays in the search for truth. He is not merely dismissive of other ideas and faiths but seeks way to talk about Christianity within that context - - all the while pointing to Christ from wherever ones starting point may be.

For those who read this book and want to dig into some of the ideas at a deeper level each chapter has a great list of further reading full of all the standard big, fat, theology books. But Coffeehouse Theology is exactly what the title implies - it's the sort of book to spur on discussion among friends hanging out.

In addition, the two guides that go along with the book are each useful. The Bible Study guide is perhaps slightly better for personal use, whereas the Discussion Guide is, as the tile implies, better suited for group discussion. Each veers slightly away from the book and offer new insights, topics and questions to tackle.

Coffeehouse Theology is a book that is written to people today, to people searching for truth, and to people trying to understand how our culture and our faith can inform each other and not create more divisions.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, September 17, 2008

By	Barbara Cooper (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Many of the theology books that I've read over the years have been either too academic or too simplistic. Coffehouse Theology is neither of these. The author does a good job of balancing the theoretical with the practical. You can tell that he has spent a good deal of time reading academic books, but he is able to explain what he's learned in a simple and uncomplicated way. In fact, Cyzewski's conversational way of writing makes learning about theology not only accessible but also fun! This is a great book for those who are new in their Christian faith, who are established Christians wanting to learn about how our culture relates to how we understand God and the Christian life, or even for agnostics who are willing to enter a dialogue with an author who is knowledgeable yet humble and not afraid to ask difficult questions. So, next time you are at Starbucks or at your favorite coffeehouse (or teahouse for those of you like me!), I recommend that you read this book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent synthesis of theological thinking, October 3, 2008

By	Makeesha C. Fisher (Fort Collins, CO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Coffeehouse theology takes us on a journey of understanding ourselves - our history, philosophical underpinnings, context, culture, traditions, etc. that make up our worldview and our "God view" and then it goes on to explore how we can appropriately and fully use those things to enrich our God reflections and ultimately our lives as Christians.

Whether you are a lifelong student of theology or think theology is only for academia, this book will revitalize your reflections on God, get one for you a few for friends and start talking about God - because the truth is, we are all theologians.