Advancing Practical Theology argues that the practical theology as a discipline does not at present fulfil its radical potential. Eric Stoddart addresses some directions that the discipline needs to take in order to respond adequately to changing social, ecclesial and global circumstances. This book will generate debate as a polemic contending for a future of the discipline that features an enhanced role for the lay (i.e. non-professional) practical theologian who is radicalized with respect to the discipline's preferential option for the broken in which practical theology addresses and is addressed by postcolonial concerns.
Eric Stoddart argues that it is time to shake the debate up, so that it does not only consist of discussions around the bible and practical theology, and the discipline's relationship with systematic theology, but to extend and grow the vision of what practical theology is and can be.
Advancing Practical Theology argues that the practical theology as a discipline does not at present fulfil its radical potential. Eric Stoddart addresses some directions that the discipline needs to take in order to respond adequately to changing social, ecclesial and global circumstances. This book will generate debate as a polemic contending for a future of the discipline that features an enhanced role for the lay (i.e. non-professional) practical theologian who is radicalized with respect to the discipline's preferential option for the broken in which practical theology addresses and is addressed by postcolonial concerns.
Eric Stoddart argues that it is time to shake the debate up, so that it does not only consist of discussions around the bible and practical theology, and the discipline's relationship with systematic theology, but to extend and grow the vision of what practical theology is and can be.
1. Approaching Practical Theology
2. Plunging into Practical Theology
3. Case Study: Scottish Independence and Christian Perspectives
Study Group
4. Critical Discipleship
5. Professing to be Professional
6. A Passport to the Future
7. Case Study: The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Practical Theology
- The Neoliberal, Imperialist Elephant in the Room?
8. Radicalizing Practical Theology
Eric Stoddart is Lecturer in Practical Theology and Distance Learning Officer as well as Associate Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion & Politics (CSRP) at St Mary's College, School of Divinity in the University of St Andrews.
In this refreshing autobiographical engagement of the discipline of
Practical Theology, Eric Stoddart calls for a radical,
postcolonial, global, justice-seeking and ethically liberative
approach to the objectives of the craft based on the notion of
critical discipleship. Stoddart practices what he calls for as he
reflects critically on his own faith journey, facilitates a small
group of ordinary (lay) people’s wrestling with the political issue
of Scottish Independence and critically reviews a recent landmark
book publication on the discipline. Advancing Practical Theology is
a welcome, polemical, international and very readable book that
offers pointers for the future of a discipline that having come of
age needs to move courageously forward on the path of actually
making a difference in the world.
*Emmanuel Y. Lartey*
This is a remarkable book – keen, perceptive, and fiercely honest.
Eric Stoddart writes from the depths of lived experience, and with
all the particularity of his Scottish ecclesial heritage, to
advance a way of doing theology which is resolutely and rigorously
practical. Here is an ambitious manifesto for a practical theology
which is radically coming of age.
*Margaret Whipp*
‘In Advancing Practical Theology, Eric Stoddart beautifully
displays his rare talent. He breathes life into the dry bones of
methodological discussion through a judicious and deeply engaging
use of humour, personal narrative, deft unpacking of complex
theories, and highly illuminating case studies. Running through
Stoddard’s fascinating forays into the nature and method of the
discipline is a crucially important theme: practical theology is
not only analysis of practice, but much more fundamentally
engagement with what it means to be Christian in interpersonal and
socio-political contexts.”
*Neil Pembroke*
Eric Stoddart has done the practical theology ‘imagined community’
a great service by recalling us to a radical commitment. Using his
personal story and a story of ‘shared praxis’ (the coming
independence vote in Scotland), he grounds the understanding of
practical theology in a complex network of contexts, experiences
and traditions. He challenges the too easy and comfortable world
which even practical theologians may inhabit, calling us to a more
critical discipleship. This is a book which will set the cat among
the pigeons.
*Zoë Bennett*
Stoddart's methodology and writing style are quite deliberate, as
he endeavors to embody the very practices of the discipline of
practical theology he hopes to espouse.
*Anglican Theological Review, 98.2*
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