Walking the Theological Life: Discovering Method for Theology in the Lives of Biblical Characters

How does a college professor introduce his students to theology in a way that makes it seem exciting and engaging rather than dull and tedious? This is the question that Gaines (religion, Trevecca Nazarene Univ.; Christian Ethics) addresses in his book. He notes that when teaching about theology, the opening methodology section can seem boring and tedious. He suggests that one way to overcome this problem is by presenting the material by key themes associated with biblical figures. The book includes 12 chapters that each focus on a significant figure from the Bible and a key topic related to them. Some examples are Miriam on courage, Moses on morality, Sarah on laughter, Thomas on doubting, Jesus’s mother Mary on pondering, Jacob on wrestling with God, and Jeremiah on being known by God. Each chapter ends with a prayer and study questions to stimulate further reflection and discussion. The themes associated with the biblical characters serve as a kind of launching pad for theological instruction.