How to Read Theology

Uche Anizor, How to Read Theology: Engaging Doctrine Critically and Charitably. Baker Academic, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-8010-4975-0, 182 pages.

Anizor's book is a small handbook on reading theology. In addition, it teaches the reader how to read critically and charitably. This instruction can be applied to other disciplines besides theology. Uche Anizor is assosiate professor of biblical and theological studies at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. How to Read Theology is intended to be a "primer to theological texts that introduces readers to the 'behind the scenes' happenings in those texts, helping them to better grasp the meaning of what exactly they are reading when they are reading theology" (xiv). The book is also intended to help the reader to evaluate different theologies both critically and charitably.

The book is divided into two parts. Part one discusses reading charitably. Chapter one discusses different enemies to reading charitably: pride, suspicion, favoritism, impatience. The author states  that his students and others "face several barriers to understanding and assessing theologies well" (5). Some of these deals with reading skills; others have to do with attitude. The author thinks both are required. The author uses Alan Jacobs, A Theology of Reading as a major source. That book's major theme is how can we obey the command of loving our neighbor when we read. To read charitably is to read with openness to the author. It is to seek to understand before critically evaluating the author. Chapter two discusses the "contextual dimensions of theological reading": "historical-cultural context," "ecclesial or churchly context," and "polemical context." The author thinks an understanding of the author's background and theology will better equip the reader to interpret the work charitably.

Part 2 seeks to help the reader to develop critical reading skills. Chapter three discusses different ways scripture is used in different theologies. Chapter four analyzes the relationship between theology and tradition. There are four categories of tradition considered: creeds, confessions, major teachers of the Church, and other teachers of the church. In addition, he examines different types of theological genres: conservative, critical, exc. Chapter five examines the relationship between theology and reason. He asserts, "Christian theology is not exempt from the demand to be rational" (123). The final chapter discusses theology and experience. What is the relationship between the two? How much weight should be give to personal experience in a theology?

Anizor's How to Read Theology is a good introduction on how to read theology. It is well-written and easy to understand. It seems to be balanced and not overly bias, but is fair to the different views of theology. The part of the book that discusses reading charitably is especially recommended.