Everyday Theology – How To Read Cultural Texts And Interpret Trends

By (author) Vanhoozer, Kevin J.; By (author) Anderson Charles A.; By (author) Sleasman, Michael J.
Short description/annotation:
This first volume in the Cultural Exegesis series offers illustrative examples of how to read and understand cultural practices and social trends.
Short description/annotation:
This first volume in the Cultural Exegesis series offers illustrative examples of how to read and understand cultural practices and social trends.
Description:
Everyday theology is the reflective and practical task of living each day as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. In other words, theology is not just for Sundays, and it''s not just for professional theologians. Everyday Theology teaches all Christians how to get the theological lay of the land. It enables them to become more conscious of the culture they inhabit every day so that they can understand how it affects them and how they can affect it. If theology is the ministry of the Word to the world, everyday theologians need to know something about that world, and Everyday Theology shows them how to understand their culture make an impact on it. Engaging and full of fresh young voices, this book is the first in the new Cultural Exegesis series.
Table of contents:
A Reader''s Guide: How to Use This Book
Part 1: Introduction: Toward a Theory of Cultural Interpretation
1. What Is Everyday Theology? How and Why Christians Should Read Culture
Part 2: Reading Cultural Texts
2. The Gospel according to Safeway: The Checkout Line and the Good Life
3. Despair and Redemption: A Theological Account of Eminem
4. The High Price of Unity: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
5. Between City and Steeple: Looking at Megachurch Architecture 6. Swords, Sandals, and Saviors: Visions of Hope in Ridley Scott''s Gladiator
Part 3: Interpreting Cultural Trends
7. The Business of Busyness: Or, What Should We Make of Martha? 8. Welcome to the Blogosphere
9. Human 2.0: Transhumanism as a Cultural Trend
10. Fantasy Funerals and Other Designer Ways of Going Out in Style
Part 4: Concluding Untheoretical Postscript
11. Putting It into Practice: Weddings for Everyday Theologians
Glossary of Methodological Terms
Biographical note:
Kevin J. Vanhoozer (PhD, University of Cambridge) is research professor of systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author or editor of many books, including the award-winning Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible.

Charles A. Anderson is a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge.

Michael J. Sleasman (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is managing director and research scholar for the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity and affiliate professor of bioethics at Trinity Graduate School.
Primary cover copy:
Generally speaking, students, theologians, pastors, and church leaders are well-trained in the task of biblical exegesis. Where many fall short, however, is in the area of cultural exegesis--reading and interpreting the texts and trends produced by our culture, which can have a profound influence on the way we understand the world and practice our faith. Anyone interested in the intersection of Christianity and culture needs to be able to do "everyday theology." This innovative volume will help readers think theologically about our cultural environment and respond faithfully as Christian disciples.

"I am one of those Christians who has theological questions about Eminem, MySpace, grocery stores, and the like. So I am very pleased that we now have this book of stimulating and important reflections on such matters. These authors demonstrate how to think theologically about popular culture."
--Richard J. Mouw, professor of faith and public life and former p