Includes bibliographical references and index.

What kind of book is this? -- On reading charitably -- Enemies of love: the challenge of reading theology charitably -- Context, context, context: the backstory of theology -- On reading critically -- The Bible tells me so: theology and scripture -- Haven't we heard this before? theology and tradition -- Believing possible things: theology and reason -- The trial of real life: theology and experience -- Practice makes perceptive.

This handy, accessible introduction to reading theology helps readers engage doctrine critically and charitably. It serves as a primer to theological texts, offering practical guidelines for assessing theology and equipping the next generation of pastors and theologians to read theological literature wisely--even when they might disagree with it. An ideal theology textbook, it is especially well suited for students reading theological literature and discussing doctrine for the first time. --