Everyday Theology

How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends

Edited by

Kevin J. Vanhoozer

Charles A. Anderson

Michael J. Sleasman

© 2007 by Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Charles A. Anderson, and Michael J. Sleasman

Published by Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516–6287

www.bakeracademic.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Everyday theology: how to read cultural texts and interpret trends cultural exegesis / Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Charles A. Anderson, Michael J. Sleasman, editors.

p. cm.—(Cultural exegesis)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 10: 0-8010-3167-2 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-8010-3167-0 (pbk.)

1. Christianity and culture. 2. Theology, Practical. 3. Theology. I. Vanhoozer, Kevin J. II. Anderson, Charles A., 1975– III. Sleasman, Michael J., 1976

BR115.C8E94 2007

261—dc22

2006030278

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Contents

A Reader’s Guide: How to Use This Book

Part 1 Introduction: Toward a Theory of Cultural Interpretation

1. What Is Everyday Theology? How and Why Christians Should Read Culture

Kevin J. Vanhoozer

Part 2 Reading Cultural Texts

2. The Gospel according to Safeway: The Checkout Line and the Good Life

Jeremy D. Lawson, Michael J. Sleasman, and Charles A. Anderson

3. Despair and Redemption: A Theological Account of Eminem

Darren Sarisky

4. The High Price of Unity: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

David G. Thompson

5. Between City and Steeple: Looking at Megachurch Architecture

Premkumar D. Williams

6. Swords, Sandals, and Saviors: Visions of Hope in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator

Michael J. Sleasman

Part 3 Interpreting Cultural Trends

7. The Business of Busyness: Or, What Should We Make of Martha?

Charles A. Anderson

8. Welcome to the Blogosphere

Justin A. Bailey

9. Human 2.0: Transhumanism as a Cultural Trend

Matthew Eppinette

10. Fantasy Funerals and Other Designer Ways of Going Out in Style

Ben Peays

Part 4 Concluding Untheoretical Postscript

11. Putting It into Practice: Weddings for Everyday Theologians...

Content not shown in limited preview…
ET:HRCTIT

About Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends

Generally speaking, students, theologians, pastors, and church leaders are well-trained in the task of biblical exegesis. Where many fall short, however, is in the area of cultural exegesis—reading and interpreting the texts and trends produced by our culture, which can have a profound influence on the way we understand the world and practice our faith. Anyone interested in the intersection of Christianity and culture needs to be able to do “everyday theology,” that is, to think theologically about our cultural environment and pass it through the grid of Scripture, in order to respond faithfully as Christian disciples.

Support Info

everydaytheo

Table of Contents