Colleen Weaver, a missionary and seminary professor, wrote a book based on her doctoral thesis titled The Fruits of Listening. This book explores the development of contextually responsible theological education through qualitative research methods. In it, Weaver examines how theological seminaries and Bible institutes can maintain biblical faithfulness while staying relevant to their cultural context.
Weaver is conducting a research project within a Protestant evangelical community in Madrid, Spain, where she is gathering insights from seminary faculty, students, and parishioners. The book emphasizes the importance of listening and how this practice can help theological educators better understand and address the needs and challenges of their communities. It offers valuable resources and tools for theological institutions to adapt their teaching methods and curricula to be both culturally relevant and mission-focused.
Weaver's work is especially timely, as theological education is currently grappling with how to balance tradition with contemporary needs.
In the book's foreword, Colleen writes: "This book is about listening and taking the time to reflect theologically on the words entrusted to us, whether spoken or written. While contextualizing theological education lies at the core of this book, the practice of listening bears a wide range of fruits across all areas of life. To contextualize theological education, listening—both to God and to people—is critical and necessary as we strive to be holy, faithful, and responsive to the needs, questions, and desires of those we are called to serve."
Used by permission of Wipf and Stock Publishers.