Coffeehouse Theology by Ed Cyzewski
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Product Details
- Pub. Date: October 2008
- Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group
- Format: Paperback, 240pp
- ISBN-13: 9781600062773
- ISBN: 1600062776
Synopsis
Discover a conversational guide to theology in the postmodern context and in the emerging church that will help you shape, understand and live out practical Christian theology.
Publishers Weekly
Freelance theologian Cyzewski enters into the Emergent conversation from the conservative end of the evangelical spectrum. He urges readers to explore theology while reassuring them that they don't have to become postmodern philosophers: theology can be considered, as it were, in the coffeehouse. Arguing that "our local settings and cultural values-in other words, our context-influence how we read God's Word," Cyzewski approaches "contextual theology" by weaving together discussions of mission, culture, God, Scripture, tradition and the global church. Personal anecdotes of his own growth in faith are disarming in their honesty. While this accessible work is a useful introduction to aspects of Emergent theology, Cyzewski's summary of modernism and postmodernism is sometimes too sketchy to be useful; however, each chapter includes valuable suggestions for further reading. Gently nudging his fellow Christians to listen to diverse points of view, Cyzewski doesn't explain why he is committed to engaging in dialogue with some aspects of culture and not others (say, progressive theologians and secularists). This addition to books about emerging and missional forms of Christianity ends on a hopeful note for unity across denominations.
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Biography
Ed Cyzewski obtained his MDiv from the Biblical Theological Seminary. During his studies there, he began to investigate the new things God is doing in the church, including Christianity’s interaction with postmodernism, and has been seeking ways to help the church thrive in a shifting culture. He blogs on theology at www.inamirrordimly.com and on writing at www.edcyz.com. He also serves as the chair of the Northshire Nonprofit Network.
Customer Reviews
A Theology book for everyone!!!by Jason_Rigby
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July 08, 2009: Coffee House Theology is a wonderful book that engages a conversation with the postmodern Christian mind in asking questions about theology. I felt it was more of an introduction to contextual theology than an in-depth study. It left me wanting more depth from this writer. The book gave a clear description of what contextual theology is about. I love this statement "Our local settings and cultural values-in other words, our context-influence how we read God's Word." Pg. 19 The Global viewpoint of our view on God and scripture was insightful. On pg. 62 Ed raises an important point about culture, "Every culture has opportunities and challenges."
The author Ed Cyzewski (MDiv Biblical Theological Seminary, BA Taylor University) is a freelance writer and speaker who has contributed to numerous magazines and book projects. He blogs at the Christian Post, as well as his personal blogs on writing (www.edcyz.com) and theology (www.inamirrordimly.com).My favorite chapter was Chapter 3 titled "Mission why the church needs theology" by far is worth the price of the book. I love this excerpt taken from pg 34--"Instead of asking how we can get people to church, mission asks how we can get church to the people." It would be great for the author to write a book using only Chapter 3!To compare The Andy Griffith Show to the Real World on MTV was a great analogy of how modern and postmodern viewpoints exist and clash. I was challenged to reinvent the way I dialogue with nonbelievers in this new postmodern world. I appreciated his clarity in that sometimes the Word of God will be prophetic and go against the grain of culture. The goal as stated on pg. 101 was to be relevant and prophetic. I had to repent from this truthful statement "We can't hope to keep the church precisely like its early predecessors anymore than we can keep bell-bottoms or togas in style."Being a conservative orthodox Christian I had concerns over several liberal ecumenical undertones. Chapter 11 dealing with catholic and charismatic experiences was for me extrabiblical. I would not discount the book for this as I believe the church needs to begin dialogue in a postmodern world today more than ever! This book begins that needed discussion. The end of every chapter had a web link to the author's blog to further study that chapter out.that is just too cool!Jason Rigbyhttp://northwestpastorjason.blogspot.com/Study God at Starbucksby Devotional_Diva
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January 31, 2009:
Most people find God in church, but I tell you that most YOUNG people find God over coffee. Like pubs are to Europe, coffeehouses are to America?the place where friends discuss religion, politics, gossip, current events, and the state of our fallen economy.
If Theology is simply the "study of God", then I say give me Ed Cyzewski's book, a Chai Tea, and a group of my peers and who knows where our conversation could lead.
Maybe the conversation would be about the Modern World (Chapter 4), or The Bible (Chapter 8), or maybe even The Global Church (Chapter 10).
Like Ed, I guarantee that most of young people?s problems are not tackled during the 10 AM Sunday morning service in a pew with an old white guy preaching ?hell, fire, and brimstone.?
No! Instead, Ed writes ?We need a robust conversation with our culture and Christians from a variety of backgrounds, denominations, countries, and even times in history....the best way to relate Christian faith with the postmodern age is to dialogue with culture" (124).
So get out there and start dialoging! (And for a guide on how to do just that, read ?Coffeehouse Theology?!)
I Also Recommend: How Can a Good God Let Bad Things Happen.
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