In An Introduction to Practical Theology one finds a vigorous presentation of the international scope of practical theology today, its grounding the practice of communicating the gospel, and its relationship to a fast-changing and secularized social context. Students, practical theologians, pastors, and church leaders working in the field will benefit greatly from Grethlein’s excellent work.
~Christian B. Scharen, Vice President for Applied Research, The Center for Theological Education, Auburn Theological Seminary
English readers have good reason to welcome this book, translated and abridged from its original edition, for giving us a wonderful grasp of a German perspective on practical theology and an approach that is exceptional even in its own context, turning the discipline’s attention from generic study of religion to a more focused exploration of how the ‘gospel’ is conveyed through teaching, celebrating, and instruction on living, modeled after Jesus’ ministry.
~Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture, Vanderbilt University
Keenly aware of the precariousness of the church today, Grethlein creatively urges practical theologians to focus on ‘communicating the gospel’—exploring interactive encounters that can engage a wider range of participants through core, evocative practices of Christian faith. Such a proposal stretches us outward. From his German grounding of theology and praxis, Grethlein offers contemporary proposals that move beyond the conventional, ones that ought to stimulate our own thinking regardless of the location of our ministry and scholarship.
~James Nieman, President, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Grethlein’s An Introduction to Practical Theology is an important review and updating of the crucial topic of ‘practical theology’ for the theological world. His work expands the subject of practical theology by complexifying its longstanding attention to the contextual and practice-focused character of faith. Theological attention to the complexity of communication itself is a real gift, and while this practical theology is written from a German perspective, its insights are widely applicable.
~Mary McClintock Fulkerson, Professor of Theology, Duke Divinity School
A welcome volume on an important subject to church practitioners who take theology seriously
~Barry K. Morris, Reading Religion
A significant addition to the literature on practical theology.
~Choice
Students, teachers, and practical theologians will find this work immeasurably helpful. Grethlein offers key insights into developing areas of practical theology that need to be considered. The survey of history, theology, and social sciences provides a foundational introduction to practical theology.
~Scott Donahue-Martens, Homiletic
…This three-part book offers something new to scholars, students and practitioners of Practical Theology, with several positive features. The first part introduces readers both to past and contemporary German scholarship in practical theology, supported by the literature sections throughout the book. Secondly, from his German perspective, Grethlein provides a comparative critical study of Practical Theology in Catholicism and the United States and thus provides a new and challenging method for practical theologians to engage in a global conversation.
~Prasad D. R. J. Phillips, Expository Times
