Comments on: A Jarring Encounter: Meeting Myself from Two Years Ago

By: Reflecting on My Book After Two Years, Part Two | :: in.a.mirror.dimly ::

Reflecting on My Book After Two Years, Part Two | :: in.a.mirror.dimly :: — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:12:49 +0000

[...] years after writing Coffeehouse Theology I can see that I made a few mistakes, but as I read other books on theology and culture, I find that I’m still very satisfied with [...]

By: ed

ed — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:02:24 +0000

Thanks Jo, I appreciate your kind words. There is a point where we can water ourselves down so that we say little of value to anyone.

I think part of my struggle is to extract myself from the world of seminary where theology is generally a good word and positive concept. It’s been hard to realize that it either means nothing or even something negative to many Christians. So while I don’t want to necessarily say something substantively different, I think I need to change some of my assumptions about where people are coming from.

The way I’ve been saying it lately is that I tried to say “Theology is fun and relevant!” in Coffeehouse Theology, but to many folks that sounds like “Fun Neurosurgery!” or something like that…

By: Jo

Jo — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:56:44 +0000

I think that it is really good that you are so reflective about your own writing and able to see how you could improve your book.

However I debate your comment about writing for the ‘average Christian reader’. I am not sure there is an average Christian reader and the run of the mill, mainstream Christian books leave me cold. The reason I subscribe to your website is because it is more thought through and thought provoking than many, without ‘easy’ answers. Please don’t try and be ‘average’, that would be selling yourself short.
Jo

By: ed

ed — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:05:57 +0000

Thanks Ray. I think you’re absolutely right. I’ve read a lot of those same books that are supposed to be for lay readers and thought to myself, “Yeah right!” So I tried to tone it down a bit, and I still wrote for an academic audience.

Someone asked me if I was familiar with Beth Moore because she seems to be hitting lots of folks where they’re at.

And you’re right, it is both instructive and humbling. I didn’t even get into the fact that I’d like to revise at least one thing per page I read!

By: Ray Hollenbach

Ray Hollenbach — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:21:09 +0000

Based on my experiences teaching introduction-level university classes in New & Old Testament, I completely see your point about making the concepts in your book accessible. Almost without exception, every textbook advertised as “basic” or “beginner” shoots way too high and tries to cram 20 pounds of seed into a 10-pound sack. Perhaps it stems from passion for your subject?

It must be instructive to read your completed work after a two-year absence!