Back porch theology: To Change the World

Those of us in the Th.M. program here at Western have been talking for a while now about getting together on occasion to discuss some issue of biblical, theological, or ministerial significance. (In other words, we’ve been looking for an excuse to hang out for an evening and talk.) Well, Pat Roach has finally decided to make it happen. So, he has invited us all over to his house on Thursday evening, May 27th.

We’ll be discussing James Davison Hunter’s new book To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. This is a book that Jesus Creed predicts will be perhaps “one of the more influential studies of this decade.” So, it should be an interesting disucssion.

If you haven’t read the book and if you don’t anticipated being able to read it before the 27th, don’t worry. We’re not expecting you to. Rather than skip the discussion just because you don’t have time to read the book, check out CT’s interview with Hunter and one or two of the following reviews/reactions: Chuck Colson, Christopher Benson, Kevin DeYoung, Andy Crouch, and Jesus Creed.  That will give you enough of the book’s basic subject matter and argument to be able to participate in the conversation. (If you want, you can also read the table of contents and the first few chapters at Google Books.) Pat will lead the discussion  and it should be a great opportunity for us all to reflect on the nature of “cultural engagement” in the modern world.

If you even think that you might be able to come, please email Billy Cash or leave a comment on this post. Billy will be contacting everyone who is interested to figure out the best starting time. We’ll also send information on how to get to Pat’s house.