Charles M. Wood

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.

The traditional doctrine of providence has fallen on hard times. Although still invoked on special occasions, the doctrine of God's providence has long since ceased to operate as a guiding principal for many--if not most--Christians. In this clear and engaging book, Charles Wood seeks to renew reflection on the doctrine of providence by reexamining features of the classical doctrine and reorienting the doctrine in a way that coheres with the gospel and offers a fresh vision of God's work in 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.