Reviews
«This highly informed, incisive and constructive book is both hopeful and realistic. Robert Smith knows that nostalgia will not fix the challenges of today, but is utterly convinced by the enormous cultural value, resourcefulness and creativity embedded in the history and struggle of the black church. That legacy provides an unparalleled resilience to the African American community and the means whereby it will create new strengths.» (Iain Torrance, President of Princeton Theological Seminary, Former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Former Dean of Arts & Divinity, University of Aberdeen, Scotland) «Black Practical Theology needs people like Robert Smith. It needs people with a breadth of knowledge and the theological creativity to apply that knowledge to the critical interface between the practices of church and world. It needs people who can wrestle with the rhythms of Grace as they move and challenge the church to live faithfully in a world which frequently forgets to whom it belongs. In this book Smith shows precisely such creativity and depth as he wrestles with some of the key practical theological issues that face the Black church and the emerging discipline of Black Practical Theology today. With an eye on both God_s Kingdom and God_s world, Smith carves out an emerging Black Practical Theology that has the power and the possibility to bring about transformation and change. The book is important and timely and I would recommend that it should be read by all of those who genuinely have a passion for God_s Kingdom and who recognize that faithful transformation requires careful theological reflection.» (Rev. Professor John Swinton, Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, School of Divinity, History and Philosophy, King_s College) «With this text, Smith is an important new voice in black practical theology. The payoff lies in re-envisioning black phronesis _ practical wisdom _ that contends with a contemporary black theological worldview for the Church in current historical contexts. Smith develops a model for black practical theology to shape informed ecclesial praxis that will wrestle with our individualized and social experiences today. Because Smith is willing to wrestle with hard questions for the Church and academy, _From Strength to Strength_ lives into its own dialogical vision.» (Dale P. Andrews, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Homiletics & Pastoral Theology, Boston University School of Theology) «Precisely because this book speaks specifically to the context of the Black Church its methodological focus will be appreciated by all those who are seeking to foster theological reflection which is located, accountable and transforming _ whatever their context. I found it helpful in encouraging me to identify those aspects of my own cultural and faith traditions that might become newly relevant as well as those which are restricting growth. This book represents an important and timely contribution to Practical Theology offering a lucid presentation of many of the most important issues facing the discipline today.» (Dr Heather Walton, Lecturer in Practical Theology, Department of Theology and Religious Studies University of Glasgow, United Kingdom), This highly informed, incisive and constructive book is both hopeful and realistic. Robert Smith knows that nostalgia will not fix the challenges of today, but is utterly convinced by the enormous cultural value, resourcefulness and creativity embedded in the history and struggle of the black church. That legacy provides an unparalleled resilience to the African American community and the means whereby it will create new strengths. (Iain Torrance, President of Princeton Theological Seminary, Former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Former Dean of Arts & Divinity, University of Aberdeen, Scotland) Black Practical Theology needs people like Robert Smith. It needs people with a breadth of knowledge and the theological creativity to apply that knowledge to the critical interface between the practices of church and world. It needs people who can wrestle with the rhythms of Grace as they move and challenge the church to live faithfully in a world which frequently forgets to whom it belongs. In this book Smith shows precisely such creativity and depth as he wrestles with some of the key practical theological issues that face the Black church and the emerging discipline of Black Practical Theology today. With an eye on both God's Kingdom and God's world, Smith carves out an emerging Black Practical Theology that has the power and the possibility to bring about transformation and change. The book is important and timely and I would recommend that it should be read by all of those who genuinely have a passion for God's Kingdom and who recognize that faithful transformation requires careful theological reflection. (Rev. Professor John Swinton, Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, School of Divinity, History and Philosophy, King's College) With this text, Smith is an important new voice in black practical theology. The payoff lies in re-envisioning black phronesis - practical wisdom - that contends with a contemporary black theological worldview for the Church in current historical contexts. Smith develops a model for black practical theology to shape informed ecclesial praxis that will wrestle with our individualized and social experiences today. Because Smith is willing to wrestle with hard questions for the Church and academy, 'From Strength to Strength' lives into its own dialogical vision. (Dale P. Andrews, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Homiletics & Pastoral Theology, Boston University School of Theology) Precisely because this book speaks specifically to the context of the Black Church its methodological focus will be appreciated by all those who are seeking to foster theological reflection which is located, accountable and transforming - whatever their context. I found it helpful in encouraging me to identify those aspects of my own cultural and faith traditions that might become newly relevant as well as those which are restricting growth. This book represents an important and timely contribution to Practical Theology offering a lucid presentation of many of the most important issues facing the discipline today. (Dr Heather Walton, Lecturer in Practical Theology, Department of Theology and Religious Studies University of Glasgow, United Kingdom), «This highly informed, incisive and constructive book is both hopeful and realistic. Robert Smith knows that nostalgia will not fix the challenges of today, but is utterly convinced by the enormous cultural value, resourcefulness and creativity embedded in the history and struggle of the black church. That legacy provides an unparalleled resilience to the African American community and the means whereby it will create new strengths.» (Iain Torrance, President of Princeton Theological Seminary, Former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Former Dean of Arts & Divinity, University of Aberdeen, Scotland) «Black Practical Theology needs people like Robert Smith. It needs people with a breadth of knowledge and the theological creativity to apply that knowledge to the critical interface between the practices of church and world. It needs people who can wrestle with the rhythms of Grace as they move and challenge the church to live faithfully in a world which frequently forgets to whom it belongs. In this book Smith shows precisely such creativity and depth as he wrestles with some of the key practical theological issues that face the Black church and the emerging discipline of Black Practical Theology today. With an eye on both God's Kingdom and God's world, Smith carves out an emerging Black Practical Theology that has the power and the possibility to bring about transformation and change. The book is important and timely and I would recommend that it should be read by all of those who genuinely have a passion for God's Kingdom and who recognize that faithful transformation requires careful theological reflection.» (Rev. Professor John Swinton, Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, School of Divinity, History and Philosophy, King's College) «With this text, Smith is an important new voice in black practical theology. The payoff lies in re-envisioning black phronesis - practical wisdom - that contends with a contemporary black theological worldview for the Church in current historical contexts. Smith develops a model for black practical theology to shape informed ecclesial praxis that will wrestle with our individualized and social experiences today. Because Smith is willing to wrestle with hard questions for the Church and academy, 'From Strength to Strength' lives into its own dialogical vision.» (Dale P. Andrews, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Homiletics & Pastoral Theology, Boston University School of Theology) «Precisely because this book speaks specifically to the context of the Black Church its methodological focus will be appreciated by all those who are seeking to foster theological reflection which is located, accountable and transforming - whatever their context. I found it helpful in encouraging me to identify those aspects of my own cultural and faith traditions that might become newly relevant as well as those which are restricting growth. This book represents an important and timely contribution to Practical Theology offering a lucid presentation of many of the most important issues facing the discipline today.» (Dr Heather Walton, Lecturer in Practical Theology, Department of Theology and Religious Studies University of Glasgow, United Kingdom)
