A Little Exercise for Young Theologians
By Helmut Thielicke and Martin E. Marty
4/5
()
About this ebook
Thousands of beginning theological students over the years have had the opportunity to eavesdrop, as it were, on a practical theology seminar by one of the twentieth century's leading Christian thinkers. More experienced pastors and theologians have also returned to this volume again and again for the valuable insights that Thielicke brings to bear on their vocation.
Helmut Thielicke
(1908-1986) He was an internationally known theologian andpastor who served as professor of systematic theology atthe University of Hamburg in Germany.
Related to A Little Exercise for Young Theologians
Related ebooks
A Little Exercise for Young Theologians Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Read Theology: Engaging Doctrine Critically and Charitably Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Trinity among the Nations: The Doctrine of God in the Majority World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Stay Christian in Seminary Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Gospel Witness: Evangelism in Word and Deed Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBiblical Hermeneutics: Five Views Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Created for Community: Connecting Christian Belief with Christian Living Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Brimming with God: Reflecting Theologically on Cases in Ministry Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Exploring Christian Theology : Volume 2: Creation, Fall, and Salvation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Practical Primer on Theological Method: Table Manners for Discussing God, His Works, and His Ways Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Introducing Evangelical Theology Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Reading Scripture Canonically: Theological Instincts for Old Testament Interpretation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPreaching Romans: Four Perspectives Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsExploring Christian Theology : Volume 1: Revelation, Scripture, and the Triune God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Doctrine of Scripture Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFaith Speaking Understanding: Performing the Drama of Doctrine Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mapping Atonement: The Doctrine of Reconciliation in Christian History and Theology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTheology for the Community of God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Survey of World Missions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsReading the Gospels Wisely: A Narrative and Theological Introduction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Word of God for the People of God: An Entryway to the Theological Interpretation of Scripture Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Christianity For You
The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (updated with two new chapters) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for A Little Exercise for Young Theologians
51 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book reminds me of Spurgeon's Lectures to my Students. Thielicke expresses pastoral concern for students of theology and young pastors and offers superb wisdom on navigating potential pitfalls and hurdles. The chapters are short and sharp without sacrificing intellectual rigour.
As mentioned in the foreword, this is one for young and old believers to revisit regularly. It will offer helpful correctives to thinking and nourishment for weary souls. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It is a down to earth honest set of advice every theologian needs to know and apply in their lives as they engage theologically.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a very short book detailing the dangers of theological study. Many of the thoughts are ones I have already had myself, but they were very good reminders and gave some reasons I had not already thought through. This is a book that will encourage you to pursue theology while always remembering that it is not knowledge in and of itself that you pursue, but rather God himself. It is easy to forget this, and so this is a book that I believe I should read at least twice a year going through seminary. Perhaps my favorite thought that he introduces is the ease with which we move from the second to the third person in our theological pursuits. By this he means that we cease to talk TO God and instead only speak OF God. I have seen this danger in my own life and heart and it is one to combat continually.
Book preview
A Little Exercise for Young Theologians - Helmut Thielicke
Introduction
Think, if you will, of this modest book as if it were a greeting card. It can serve best in its first purpose: as a bon voyage greeting to a person venturing for the first season into theological studies. Just as well, the book could say Happy Anniversary
to a practical parson humble enough to look back, to measure him- or herself against his or her intentions. Then, again, it may be needed as a Get Well
where there is hope for a pretentious theologian or — in radical instances — as a sympathy card to someone who has forgotten the whole excitement and promise of the theological task.
In the paragraph I have just written, some version of the term theology
appeared three times. Thus it carefully reproduces the intention of the book: in clear and forceful language the author sets out to speak of the difficult language of theology. If it is used to greet a young theologian, the book will not soon be placed back among his or her souvenirs. To begin to exhaust its meanings, one must consult it again and again. The author expects the budding theologian to take from it good counsel.
Before anyone accepts counsel one naturally does well to examine the credentials of the counselor. By what right does he speak? Will he preach at me or insinuate his opinions into my consciousness? Will he pontificate or will he be condescending? In this instance, does he know what theology and young theologians are all about?
Concerning few people in the Christian world would one have fewer hesitancies than we reserve for Helmut Thielicke. He wore several mantles, and they fit well. As Rector of the University of Hamburg he was obliged to wear the business suit of the secular administrator — as he calls himself in these pages — as well as the historic academic garb of that post. As a practicing theologian, he wore the robes of professorial office in order to provide the setting for a learned lecture on Christian ethics. Most readers could picture him best in his preaching robe: some number him among the greatest preachers of the twentieth century. It is well known — the covers of German news magazines testified — that he filled a very large church in secularized
Hamburg twice a week. His translated sermons, running into a number of volumes, are among the few that preachers read for their own nourishment. Finally, we picture him as world-traveler or storyteller in his corduroy sport coat. He was at home in all these roles; each equipped him for the tones of voice he uses here.
A scholarly, intense, concerned man, Thielicke wins the confidence of his hearers. He says some things to young theologians here which few other people could say with such sting and still such grace and healing. No doubt in the ozoned reaches of Continental theology there are more astute theologians than he. No doubt in the broad pavements of American practical church life there are better administrators. But few are his peers for synthesizing respectable scholarly inquiry and informed practical church