James Newton Poling

Rethinking Faith

What can practical theology contribute to other theological disciplines and the church about the nature of God and the church's witness to Jesus Christ in the world? What can we learn about the love and power of God in Jesus Christ from the community of survivors of violence? Rethinking Faith urges all Christians to consider themselves practical theologians by drawing on their own experiences in making theological assertions. Poling couples his understanding of the tradition with his work with survivors of violence to demonstrate the resilience of Christianity. "Jim Poling offers one of the most comprehensive and creative books on practical theology in many years. He exemplifies the best qualities of constructive practical theology. The book is timely, socially engaged, and intellectually rich. It will set the standard for practical theology in the coming decades." -Richard Osmer Thomas W. Synnott Professor of Christian Education Princeton Theological Seminary "This is an extraordinary book-an almost poetic interplay between Jim Poling's own statement of faith and a richly developed systematic practical theology that draws from feminist theology, Process theology, and the personal stories of people significantly affected by violence. This book will appeal to readers ranging from interested lay people to practicing ministers and academicians as it takes them deeper into their own theological constructions. Rethinking Faith is both inspiring and educational. I highly recommend it." -Christie Cozad Neuger Director of the Institute for the Support of Pastoral Ministries Senior Scholar in Pastoral Care, United Theological Seminary "Rethinking Faith is a brilliant and compelling culmination of a life-long devotion to bridging scholarship, pastoral care, and social justice by one of the leading thinkers in practical theology. Using the central constructs of relationship, ambiguity, and resiliency, Poling inspires new understandings of the generative connections between life in the world and Christian beliefs. The reader will be heartened by the courage, resiliency and power of love in the lives of those portrayed in this book. Through their stories, Poling demonstrates how the central Christian doctrines of God, humanity, nature, sin, evil, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the church can become the basis for faith-practices in a world grasping for alternatives to violence and injustice. Pastors, religious leaders, seminarians, pastoral caregivers, and communities of faith will be inspired and guided by this personal, profound and usable book." -Larry Kent Graham, Ph. D. Professor of Pastoral Theology and Care Iliff School of Theology Denver, CO