Matthew Wesley Williams

Reading Theologically

Discipleship & Christian Education

“This book is an excellent resource for persons thinking of preparing for seminary, seminarians, or for lifelong learners. Each chapter incrementally teaches us to delve deeper into reading for personal growth, understanding, thinking critically, and for appreciation of others. It is reading for formation, reading to meet God in our lives. I have never before read a book so beautifully written on how to enter the ambiguities and polarities of thoughts and theories so that we can hold the tensions with the purpose of holding those who think differently with grace so as to cultivate not only our minds but our relationships with persons, for creating community and for deepening our spirituality. As one who has been in theological education for over twenty years, I knew I had found a treasured resource in this reading even for myself and for my students." —Elizabeth Conde-Frazier Eastern University "Reading Theologically reframes reading as a Christian practice through which we cultivate a faithful way of being in an increasingly complex world. It encourages theological students to take seriously the role of reading in their formation as Christian leaders, thinkers, and citizens. Designed as a dialogue among diverse theological educators, this book also calls us to revisit the nature and purpose of the peculiar enterprise we call theological education. This is a book I wish I had when I started seminary. The serious seminarian should not begin without it.”