Love, says the apostle Paul, "does not rejoice over injustice, but rejoices in the truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6). The theological explorations undertaken here all deal in one way or another with the liberating promise and the perplexing problem of truth in Christian life and witness, and with the ways that Christian theology and theological education in their various modes struggle both to seek the truth and to foster the aptitude to honour it. Charles M. Wood is Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, and director of the university's Graduate Program in Religious Studies. His most recent books are 'Attentive in God: Thinking Theologically in Ministry' (co-authored with Ellen Blue) and 'The Question of Providence'. "This engaging collection of essays by Charles Wood offers illuminating perspectives on critical theological issues. Wood opens up theological questions in new ways through providing fresh angles of vision and insightful analysis. His ability to bring clarity to sometimes complex issues makes him a joy to read. Whether one is interested in Wesleyan Studies, the contemporary theological task, or the future shape of theological education, this book will be a most welcome and valued resource." - Henry H. Knight III, Donald and Pearl Wright Professor of Wesleyan Studies, Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Missouri "Making Wesleyan theology a kind of test case, Charles Wood gracefully shows us the delights and pitfalls of Christian doctrine. Though he gently reminds us of the manifold ways theology can go wrong, he majors in the joy of doing theology devoted to the truth and in service of love. Few theologians are so attuned, as is Wood, to theology's responsibility in a perilous world and yet so ruled by the gospel's power to make its own way despite our theological pretensions. Accompanying Wood in these essays is as rewarding spiritually as it is intellectually. That's the mark of good Wesleyan theology, indeed, of any theology." - M. Douglas Meek, Cal Turner Chancellor Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies, Vanderbilt University Divinity School

Description: Love, says the apostle Paul, ""does not rejoice over injustice, but rejoices in the truth"" (1 Corinthians 13:6). The theological explorations undertaken here all deal in one way or another with the liberating promise and the perplexing problem of truth in Christian life and witness, and with the ways that Christian theology and theological education in their various modes struggle both to seek the truth and to foster the aptitude to honor it. Endorsements: ""This engaging collection of essays by Charles Wood offers illuminating perspectives on critical theological issues. Wood opens up theological questions in new ways through providing fresh angles of vision and insightful analysis. His ability to bring clarity to sometimes complex issues makes him a joy to read. Whether one is interested in Wesleyan Studies, the contemporary theological task, or the future shape of theological education, this book will be a most welcome and valued resource."" --Henry H. Knight III Donald and Pearl Wright Professor of Wesleyan Studies Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Missouri ""Making Wesleyan theology a kind of test case, Charles Wood gracefully shows us the delights and pitfalls of Christian doctrine. Though he gently reminds us of the manifold ways theology can go wrong, he majors in the joy of doing theology devoted to the truth and in service of love. Few theologians are so attuned, as is Wood, to theology's responsibility in a perilous world and yet so ruled by the gospel's power to make its own way despite our theological pretensions. Accompanying Wood in these essays is as rewarding spiritually as it is intellectually. That's the mark of good Wesleyan theology, indeed, of any theology."" --M. Douglas Meeks Cal Turner Chancellor Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies Vanderbilt University Divinity School About the Contributor(s): Charles M. Wood is Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, and director of the university's Graduate Program in Religious Studies. His most recent books are Attentive to God: Thinking Theologically in Ministry (2008, co-authored with Ellen Blue) and The Question of Providence (2008).

The traditional doctrine of providence has fallen on hard times in the face of human suffering, such as that of September 11, 2001. In this clear and engaging book, Charles Wood seeks to renew reflection on doctrine of providence by reexamining features of the classical doctrine and reorienting the doctrine in a way that coheres more fully with the gospel. Woods argument moves in two directions: first, by examining recent thinking about the function of doctrine, Wood sheds light on what the doctrine of providence is supposed to do and how one might assess its adequacy. Second, Wood proposes a reorientation of the doctrine around the central Trinitarian and christological commitmentsa reorientation that moves beyond neglecting the doctrine of providence and toward a new way of understanding Gods involvement with the world.

How the pastor reads a situation theologically will define the possibilities for ministry now and for the church's future.
The pastor's theological lens effects every ministry task. This book introduces students to the importance of theological reflection. It tells them why theological reflection is crucial to who they are and what they do, and it shows them how they can acquire and strengthen their capacity for theological attentiveness. Central to Wood and Blue's approach is the conviction that pastoral character and pastoral practice are mutually formative. Also through the practice of ministry the pastor's identity is both continually discovered and continually worked on and worked out. All pastors must integrate who they believe themselves to be and who they believe God is to be effective leaders.