The Art of Theological Reflection

The book came in excellent condition and within the allotted time. However, in the past I have been "spoiled" by sellers that send books that arrived much sooner than I had expected. No reflection on this seller, however, and I was pleased that it arrived in time for me to take it with me to read on a plane ride...

One former student of mine said, "The book is lame because its all about emotions". Another student said, "This book sucks because there's nothing theological about it." A third student said, "I missed the point." In following up with the students, I found out they only read the words on the page and didn't do any of the activities proceeding the chapters. If you fall into the category of simply reading the words on the paper than I say move-on and don't waste your time reading this book. This book is meant to be used interactively and to wrestle with the content of the chapters using one's theological and spiritual framework. I use many of the principles outlined in the chapters 4-6 after several years of chaplaincy work. By the way, if you struggle with exploring your emotions than I say buy two copies. The first copy you'll throw it away in disgust, but you'll have the second copy when you realize the emotional fall-out you will experience due to the ministry and interaction with members of your church or those you provide spiritual care for. Happy reading!

This book has been an incredibly helpful basis for our group to do theological reflection. Nine of us gather every other week to meet and reflect on our lives and Killen and de Beer provide the structure for such meetings. This is not pop psychology, but a practical way to do theology. If you are looking to know more about God's relation to your life and to the lives of others in your group, this book has the perfect guidelines to follow.

I have used The Art of Theological Reflection with both graduate and undergraduate students in theology seminars. It has provided them with a method for engaging theological questions and readings out of their own experience of life and of the Christian tradition - however extensive that experience might be. The authors give examples throughout the text that effectively clarify the porocess they are describing. They also make a convincing argument that theological reflection is not just for a few "initiated" but builds on a natural human quest for insight into the meaning of life experiences and for ways to integrate those insights into our lives.