Coffeehouse Theology: A Book Review

I have to admit, while I love to read challenging books and thoughtful examinations of faith, there’s a part of me that bristles a little at the idea of reading a “theology” book. Sure, it’s important to know what we believe and how and why, and I love getting the perspectives of others to help my ongoing development in this area... but it sounds so "head knowledge," you know?

Still, head knowledge is part of it all, and it’s worthwhile to explore these ideas. Thankfully, Coffeehouse Theology by Ed Cyzewski is an accessible primer to contextual theology that’s perfect for those that want an overview of how culture and theology intersect, and ideas on what to do with our faith in a postmodern society. Using clear language without watering down his ideas or the weight of the material, this book presents theology as an ongoing dialogue, a work in progress.

My first impression of Coffeehouse Theology was the meticulous, logical organization of the book. Beginning with definitions of biblical, systematic, and contextual theology, he goes on to explain how modernism's focus on science and reason changed the Christian landscape and explores the shift to postmodernism's focus on diversity and acceptance. It's a nice review of history and these major schools of thought, and it presents some intriguing concepts about how these philosophies affect the way we understand our faith.

On the surface, it looks like it could be a nebulous, “fluff” sort of book repeating what others have said before. I haven’t read enough theology to fully understand if that's the case, but I do appreciate how neatly he breaks down complex ideas. While the book itself can be self-repetitious, it's helpful to remind readers where they’ve been as he carries them to the next level of understanding. Every chapter features a “web of theology” illustration to help readers keep track of where they are in his thesis and ends with an extensive reading list for those who want to dig deeper.

Cyzewski does stress over and over that this isn’t a book about being relevant or tolerant or radical. Instead, he reminds readers that his goal is to help Christians become better equipped to dialogue with a pluralistic culture while knowing what they believe... being both “relevant and prophetic,” able to understand their world while holding fast to true doctrines.

Overall, this is a clear, accessible read for those who are interested in learning how theology is shaped by the world around it, how to engage that world, and how our beliefs inform everyday life.

About Ed:

Ed Cyzewski (MDiv Biblical Theological Seminary) is a freelance writer and speaker in Eastern Connecticut. He is the author of Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life, an introduction to contextual theology as well as the Coffeehouse Theology Bible Study Guide and a Coffeehouse Theology Discussion Guide. His most recent book is A Path to Publishing: What I Learned by Publishing a Nonfiction Book. Ed blogs regularly on theology at www.inamirrordimly.com and on writing at www.edcyz.com.

Review copy provided by The Ooze Viral Bloggers

sounds of survival

Music that helped me survive this week:



Shake some of the Vegas glitter off the The Killers, mix in some alt-country and gospel and sad songs. "Mr. Brightside" this is not. The more I listen, the more I like it. Plus, the music video has ninjas.

Jazzy, poppy, piano-y goodness. Thank you Rabbit Room for the sale this week! The talent of your artists astounds me. And isn't that a super-cool cover?


On Wednesday, feeling tired and stressed, I sacrificed my lunch break for a walk in the park. This was my soundtrack. Only discovered it about a month ago (I know, late to the party.) Oh, Sufjan, where have you been all my life? New record out soon. Pumped.


Last minute music review homework. I love Bebo so much, but the last album left me wanting, so I was skeptical and hopeful about this one. But this... well... you can read my review on Monday and find out for yourself!

sunday happiness*5

Hooray! I'm slacking on blogging again! Still processing the last two crazy, wonderful, exhausting weeks, but here's another edition of 10 things...

1. Opportunities to re-connect and spend time with so many wonderful friends and family these past two weeks.
2. Being even a small part of One Homeless Night last Friday, and the beautiful things OURM is doing in Orlando.
   
3. Almost getting lost downtown with new friends just because we wanted Starbucks. Minnesota + South Florida + Scared of Downtown (that's me) + GPS and blocked roads + confusing parking garages = epic adventure. =)
   
4. My grandma is 90 today! So grateful to spend time with her yesterday...
   
5. Discovering Engaging Life is full of geeks and nerds. *nerdpower*
6. The mystery of communion... all kinds.
7. My shiny new iPod Touch. Shallow and materialistic? Yeah, but whatever. Having Internet and Robot Unicorn Attack in my pocket is awesome.
8. I pwned my sister at Wii ping pong last night. *victory fist* *also shallow*
   
9. Contemplating dusting off my guitar again...
10. De-creation. I was thinking about this quote today. In some ways, I think I can relate:

"God would consume her. God would de-create her and she was too small and tame to resist. That's why she was resisting now. Because think about it. Because once you believe such a thing, God is, then how can you escape, how survive the power of it, is and was and ever shall be." ~ Don DeLillo, Falling Man

What are you thankful for as this new week begins?

nine.

Nine years ago today, the World Trade Center towers fell in New York, and the whole world stopped to watch and listen. Nine years. It seems both far away and as close as yesterday. I'm sure for the rest of my life it'll be one of those days I'll never forget, a scared college freshman watching the world crumble on TV.

I don't have to tell you where it led: to wars, to fear, to prejudice and bitterness. Throw out the words "Ground Zero" now, and you're likely to find Mosque on the other side of it, and hear about the protests and anger surrounding it.

But I remember that day differently. I remember that there was something solemn and sad, but something hopeful too. With every person found alive, with every story of strangers offering kindness and grace... even the horrible Central Florida traffic seemed tamer in the days that followed. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was that sudden realization that life is so short.

I like to think it was hope.

You may remember my blogger friend Sarah Cunningham and the discussion about her book Picking Dandelions here. Sarah's story of this day took her to Ground Zero with a relief crew, and in her book she describes the experience. She approached me a few days ago with an invitation to join fellow bloggers in sharing a more positive message of goodwill to New York today so we can step back and remember... and hope.

Here's an excerpt from Picking Dandelions that describes her time there:

The typical buzz of New York’s streets had been replaced by the steady crank of machinery and generators—a rumble that we adapted to surprisingly quickly, like the tick of a clock you didn’t even hear in the background.

Nothing was as it was just a few days before.

Any other day, for example, this much chaos and effort would’ve signified some sort of city festival. Now, a street fair of blue and white tarped tents lined the sidewalks to serve as a makeshift town, ready to shelter the nearby relief workers with food and services. The ground that would’ve normally been kept clear by city sanitation workers, if not for an occasional stray leaf or piece of litter, was dusted with a thin coating of shredded paper and glass particles, as if a local Office Max had been incinerated and its contents dumped on the scene like unwelcome confetti.

…Standing there in soaked rain gear, shivering, my voice jumbled through a weighty mask, I had some of the most compelling conversations of my life with people who became close friends out of necessity rather than through years of passing each other in the hallway each day...

...I could not believe that in this unlikely patch of ground, what was growing reminded me so much of Eden. ~Excerpt from Part IV of Picking Dandelions: A Search for Eden Among Life’s Weeds

Today, it's my hope that for just a little while, we'll stop and listen and remember... but not for the sake of hate and politics and bitterness. May we never forget the way we looked for healing then, and how we came together in longing to see hope come from the broken earth.

***

Starting September 13th, the e-book version of Picking Dandelions will be available for free on Amazon, and Zondervan will be offering the paper back version here
(just enter Promo code "980763"). Also, be sure to check out Sarah's blog post "Beyond the Rubble," a beautiful reflection on 9/11.

Photo by Cheryl Vanstane

whoop!

Bags packed and ready... I'm off to Momentum 2010 tomorrow! A fun-filled weekend of reunions, music, seminars, and learning how to make radio stuff better. And then, Night of Joy this weekend!

Sleep is pretty much optional for the next three days.

Annnnnnd.... I gotta get up early and be at Disney by 8am. It's kinda late. Oops.

There will be stories later, I'm sure. :) Peace out.