Essay Example on Christian Practical Wisdom

Introduction

The book, Christian Practical Wisdom, is based on tracing the history of wisdom and showing the reader how he/she can apply the same knowledge to have a fulfilling life. It is written by five theologians who examine why most Christians devalue applying the practical aspect of wisdom Thus, the book focus of the book is to advocate for the renewal of the application of Christian Practical Wisdom. The paper provides a review of part one which explains the practical wisdom in everyday life and moves and rhythm that engage local wisdom.

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Phronesis and prudential

Phronesis and Prudential are disciplines of wisdom and intelligence according to the Greek philosophy. Phronesis wisdom and intelligence acquired from the practise of action. It emphasis on good judgement, excellent character, and advocates for practical virtue. Prudential emphasizes on reason to guide in decision-making.

The authors focus on phronesis and prudential to explain the Greek and modernity concept of wisdom. Notably, they admit that Christianity acknowledges that the followers can acquire wisdom from various speheres including the elites and people considered to be subordinate, Christian practical wisdom is guided by God (Baas, Cahalan, Miller-McLemore, Nieman & Scharen, 2016). They explain that practical wisdom can be apply by a person from any religion. Therefore, to contextualize the knowledge and skills of the book, they explain that they have added the word 'Christian' to practical wisdom so that the teachings can resonate with the biblical underpinnings to Christians (Baas et al., 2016). According to the book, Christian Practical Wisdom is embodied in faithful living which is based on deep theological roots. The practical wisdom for Christians is based on God embodiment which presents God as flesh that came to exists among us in the form of Christ. Therefore, Christians, through Christ, rediscover holism and how the scripture informs wisdom traditions.

The section is significant in understanding the Christian practical wisdom because it explains the common ground in the building blocks of wisdom. On one hand, phronesis enables one to intelligently practise his/her faith. On the other hand, prudential supports that the action should be based on judgment and excellent character.

Embedded theology, Our individuality and Communal Aspect

The embedded theory is based on the belief that Christianity is not an end but a requirement for one to enjoy a richer and abundant life. Christians live with others and need to incorporate that belief in their journey of acquiring wisdom. As such, the authors acknowledge that the measure of Christianity in the scripture will always be in relation to other individuals and groups. For example, it relates to the love of God, neighbor, the responsibility to the poor and marginalized, and justice for people and nations (Baas et al., 2016). Amid Christians living with others according to the concept of embedded theology, they should understand that it is the embodiment that provides them with a sense of reconciliation, hope, repentance, and gratitude (Baas et al., 2016). Additionally, Christians are empowered by the Spirit and guided by knowledge of reasons to know their way around their neighborhood.

In this section, the authors show that faith and Christianity are often presented in abstract forms hence making it hard for some Christians to practice the faith. The authors show how the embedded theology, our individuality, and the communal aspect of faith and wisdom relate. As such, the reader understands that Christian practical knowledge is concrete, relatable, and achievable.

Our Body posture

The section focuses on how Christians worship God through their body movements. Additionally, the chapter explains how the bodies of Christians know when they are in the presence of God. The authors acknowledge that out bodies The movements and actions incorporate the actions of faith in Christianity (Baas et al., 2016). The authors refer to activities such as bowing and eating small portions of a whole constellation.

The author of the section explains his experience of body posture as part of the practical wisdom in Christianity. He describes how he noticed monks bow during the morning and evening prayers. Also, the author refers to how Catholic Bishops bow to God as they praise trinity during worship. He analyses the meaning of body posture to the lifetime of a Christian. He concludes that the body posture symbolizes greater sense and potentially give Christians access to the love of God.

The section highlights some of the movements that traditionally align with the meaning and act of worship. The knowledge makes us question how we worship God the way we do and how that is significant to our life in Christianity. Also, it makes us understand that although God is the supreme spiritual being, He can be accessed through tangible means.

Compassion and Grace as body postural. Kinesthetic intelligence

The section explains how extraordinary athletes teach us about knowing our bodies and grace. The ability is created by an inherited sense of kinesthetic and repeated hours of practice, which leads to new brains and body circuits (Baas et al., 2016). As such, the athlete can do what a person cannot do using ordinary thoughts. The process relates to compassion and grace because it involves relentless shortcomings of gravity, aging, limits, and illness. However, it eventually leads to success. Thus, the author concludes that the presence of God makes the body movement graceful and beautiful. He refers to his memory of a boy who used to dribble a ball around an orange cone (Baas et al., 2016). He says that the boy was blessed with body elegance, which is known as the kinesthetic intelligence in contemporary society.

Christianity is a calling. Sometimes, it may require doing the extraordinary to maintain his/her faith just as a remarkable athlete needs to have exceptional kinesthetic intelligence. In this case, the extraordinary action is implementing practical wisdom. Generally, the section acknowledges that Christian practical knowledge is a journey; hence, one may not get it right immediately. However, as long as the person is committed to getting wisdom, it occurs eventually.

Healing and transformation comes with practice: Lection DivinaLection Divina is a method of reading the scripture. The author of the section explains how she learned to read and understand the scripture (Baas et al., 2016). She says she used Lection Divina to learn scripture. It helped her understand what God was saying to her and express her feelings to Him. The Lection Divina method involves slowly reading and re-reading the scripture (Baas et al., 2016). Lection Divina involves lection, meditation, oration, and contemplation (Baas et al., 2016). Lection occurs when a Christian pronounces the words of the scripture on his/her lips. Meditation occurs when our minds perceive the meaning of the words we are pronouncing on our lips. Oration occurs when our words rise as prayers to God. Contemplation occurs when we are silent to understand what God is commanding us to do or feel (Baas et al., 2016). The author believes that the practice of Lectio Divina brings healing and transformation by making one free of self-centered thoughts (Baas et al., 2016). It is a practice of the purity of the heart. It helps a Christian eliminate their own selfish desires. Consequently, the desire of God can guide and lead the Christian into action.

The section shows that reading and understanding the scripture is the foundation for Christian Practical wisdom. Although the author knew that she wanted to read the Bible from the first chapter to the last, she did not know how to memorize the words and translate that into the meaning and communicate to God through her understanding of the scripture. Therefore, the section shows that the scripture is the source of healing and transformation, which requires selflessness, which is achieved by consistently interacting with the word of God.

Reconciliation: Daily acts of nurture that shapes where and how we live

The author explains that reconciliation is possible if it is by the grace of God. She gives a background of the belief that settlement occurs by God's will. She remarried after divorcing her ex-husband. However, the relationship was rocky since there was a child involved who preferred her parents' reunion. The family had tension every time they would unite (Baas et al., 2016). Thankfully, through worshiping and practicing the word of God, the family reconciled. The author describes some of the reconciliatory moments that have made her believe that reconciliation is the work of God. For example, she describes how they communed together and would hold the chalice for each other (Baas et al., 2016). The practice healed her and the family. It brought them closer to each other's lives. As such, the author emphasizes that reconciliation involves the wisdom to overcome the barriers of conflicts and to maintain the position of God as a constant and unifying factor.

The section shows that God's power is undefeated when we are faced with conflicts beyond our understanding. Just like the author who was faced with family conflicts that had a long history, God can deliver us from the state of hatred and bitterness that is created by conflicts. While many people acquainted with the author may not understand the dynamic of relating to an ex-spouse, the situation shows how the love of God is limitless and gracious. However, this can only happen if we allow the word of God to be our reference.

Wisdom: Moves and Rhythms

The section shows that wisdom arises in faith communities. The author acknowledges that the source of wisdom in faith communities is rarely discussed. Consequently, most believers have a sketchy form of the meaning of wise communities (Baas et al., 2016). The author affirms that wisdom exists in the congregation. We often think of wisdom in an individual capacity. Therefore, if the faith communities have a group of individuals with varying abilities of wisdom, then the congregation is wise (Baas et al., 2016). Also, it means that the congregation is the source of communal wisdom.

The author's sentiments in this section show how individual wisdom translates to community wisdom. The author acknowledges that many people believe that practical wisdom in Christianity is based on an individual. However, there is less effort in connecting the individual wisdom to congregational wisdom, which leads to collective wisdom. Therefore, the reader understands that practical wisdom is embedded in the common ground between individual and communal wisdom.

Recovering the Practical Theology

Practical theology focuses on how the theories and practices in theology can be aligned, improved, or changed. The author explains that recovering practical theology is to understand how practical reasoning is exercised among Christian communities (Baas et al., 2016). Meaning, practical theology requires an epistemological reorientation. Additionally, it should be historical, ethical, systemic, and useful (Baas et al., 2016).

The correspondence between Rene Descartes and Elisabeth of Bohemia shows that the only necessary knowledge in Christian Practical wisdom is the knowledge of the truth. The letter indicates that experience influences judgment and reasoning. Also, the correspondence shows the connection between the mind, should, and the body in creating theological knowledge and influencing the belief and judgment of an individual.

Disciplining, The two knowledge of Practical Theology: Rationalism and Empiricism

The section focuses on enlightening the reader on the source of Christian knowledge. The author advises that a person interested in understanding the source of Christi...