"Fruitful Theology" (Ronni Kurtz)

TITLE: Fruitful Theology: How the Life of the Mind Leads to the Life of the Soul
AUTHOR: Ronni Kurtz
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: B and H Publishing, 2022, (192 pages).
 

Many of us have heard about it. Kids learn it in Sunday School. Sunday school teachers love to do crafts on this topic. They have activities to show their individual attributes. Preachers go through each attribute in their sermon series. Based on Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit is one of the most popular topics in Church and Christian circles. From Bible study materials to popular books, one can easily find resources on how to teach this. However, while many books deal with practical applications, not many have adequately dealt with the theology behind the fruit of the Spirit. This book fills in the gap with a theological treatise that undergirds each attribute. The central thesis of this book is that a fruitful theology underlines the foundation for fruitful spirituality. In other words, without a proper theology, we will not be able to fully understand how to apply and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in us. For some people, the word "theology" might be quite intimidating. That is why author and professor Ronni Kurtz spends time explaining the critical place of theology. In a way, we are all theologians, albeit to different degrees. When we start to think of God, we are already theologizing. Not only that, he gives several arguments about the importance of a theological underpinning when studying the fruit of the Spirit. He tackles some of the misgivings among some people with regard to theology being "weaponized as an instrument" for division, pride, replacement of wisdom, etc. He then puts forth arguments for why theology is important. The chief reason is that the mind and the Spirit are closely connected. Theology is about the exercise of the mind. Fruitful theology is about the exercising of the mind toward expounding the depth of insight with regard to the fruit of the spirit. It is a means to cultivate Christian virtue. He then gives us some tips on a broad understanding of Galatians 5:19-26 before jumping into each attribute of the Spirit.

My Thoughts

Books like this are long overdue. It is common to hear how laypeople dismiss the importance of theology even in the most common Bible passages. Thanks to difficult words they find hard to understand, some buy into the "Only the Bible is Enough" philosophy, jettisoning all manner of theological talk in favour of things more "biblical." Others focus more on practical applications, believing that God's Word is never meant to be difficult to understand. Both points of view are seriously flawed. Those who insist on a literal Bible-only camp are indirectly accusing scholars and theologians of unbiblical teaching. How could that be when the very basis of their studies and research are on the Bible? Those who insist on mainly the practical side would struggle with what to apply. Theology informs the right applications. Any premature rush to applications will be like empty vessels trying to make a lot of sounds. That is why I truly appreciate the author for walking readers through the basics of what theology is and why it is important for us to use this tool to study the fruit of the Spirit.

The chapters alone provide much fodder for preachers and teachers intending to teach the Fruit of the Spirit. The theological underpinning might require some customization if preachers intend to use this resource to preach or teach the Fruit of the Spirit. Instead of using the content wholesale, it would be far more beneficial for preachers/teachers to get the concepts written and to contextualize the message into their sermons. More importantly, recognize that this book is about the training of the mind to see the work of the Spirit that is consistent with the overall theological thrust. For those new to the study of theology, this book can be a convenient primer to appreciate the richness of theology. For those who have some theological training, this book reminds us of the basics of letting theology guide our ministry. 

I recommend this book warmly for teaching, preaching, and as a resource for discussion groups.

Ronni Kurtz (PhD, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is an Assistant Professor of Theology at Cedarville University. Before moving to Ohio, Ronni was a pastor in Kansas City, Missouri for seven years where he also taught theology at Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College. He is the author of No Shadow of Turning: Divine Immutability and the Economy of Redemption and Fruitful Theology: How the Life of the Mind Leads to the Life of the Soul.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of B&H Publishing and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.