Top Christian thinkers show how attending to the formation of virtue through the practices of Christian worship creates the hospitable space we need to deal with difference and disagreement in the body of Christ.

Contents Foreword by Michael Gulker Introduction by James K. A. Smith Part 1: Creating a Community for the Conversation: Ecclesiology and Worship 1. The Church as Church: Practicing the Politics of Jesus Rodney Clapp 2. Friends of God and Friends of God's Friends Samuel Wells 3. Friendship and the Ways to Truth David Burrell 4. Worship Is Our Worldview: Christian Worship and the Formation of Desire James K. A. Smith 5. Common Prayer Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro Part 2: Putting on Christ: Formation in Virtue 6. The Master Argument of MacIntyre's After Virtue Brad Kallenberg 7. The Nature of the Virtues Alasdair MacIntyre 8. The Church as a Community of Practice Jonathan R. Wilson 9. Resistance to the Demands of Love: On Sloth Rebecca DeYoung 10. Cultivating Gratitude: Pray without Ceasing Paul Griffiths 11. Why Christian Character Matters N. T. Wright Part 3: Come Let Us Reason Together: Tradition-Based Rationality 12. The Rationality of Traditions Alasdair MacIntyre 13. Aquinas and the Rationality of Tradition Alasdair MacIntyre 14. The Epistemic Priority of Jesus Christ Robert Barron 15. Reading Scripture with the Reformers Timothy George Part 4: All Things Hold Together in Christ: Exploring God's World 16. Come and See: A Christological Invitation for Science Mark Noll 17. Encountering God's World: Curiositas vs. Caritas Paul Griffiths 18. The Religious Path to Exclusive Humanism: From Deism to Atheism James K. A. Smith 19. Natural Theology, or a Theology of Creation? Stanley Hauerwas 20. Science, Stories, and Our Knowledge of the Natural World Alasdair MacIntyre 21. Science for the Church: Natural Sciences in the Christian University Jonathan R. Wilson Index

This anthology invites Christians to find resources for faithful, creative thinking in the riches of the church's theological heritage and its worship traditions. Contributors include Robert Barron, Timothy George, Stanley Hauerwas, Alasdair MacIntyre, Mark Noll, and N. T. Wright, among others."The Colossian Forum is renewing the conversation on science in the church today. It's the kind of conversation we need--starting with worship of the Creator, practicing humble dialogue within Christian communities, and remembering the limits of science as well as its importance in a Christian worldview. This volume presents the writings of leading philosophers, theologians, and historians on the role of Christian practice in forming virtues, the role of virtues in forming intellectual discourse, and the role of Christology in forming our understanding of science and creation."--Deborah Haarsma, president, BioLogos"A quiet revolution is going on in the contested debates between science and religion, and this anthology represents vital reading for its manifesto. The editors insist, and I think they are correct, that the methodological basis for understanding dialogue between theology and science needs to be overhauled. It is time for theology to reclaim a voice but at the same time become aware of its limitations as a servant in the broader vision of building the church for a new century. This anthology will be essential reading for the student and educated layperson alike."--Celia Deane-Drummond, University of Notre Dame"This anthology's convergence of authors and readings invites readers into a new way of thinking about faithful Christian practice amid the postmodern university, Christian or otherwise. As such, those who follow the logic of All Things Hold Together in Christ will be initiated into 'The Colossian Way,' which aspires to be nothing less than a viable mode of contemporary discipleship along the way of Jesus in a secular world."--Amos Yong, Fuller Theological Seminary"A valuable collection of writings for those wishing to go deeper into the theoretical underpinnings of The Colossian Forum. Drawing on Alasdair MacIntyre's work, various scholars develop insights for a virtue-centered approach to discipleship. Focused on religion and science, the implications extend more broadly to dialogue and debate over divisive issues, always looking for ways that faith can shape us to better engage challenges not as a threat but as a context in which faith may deepen."--Jenell Paris, Messiah College; senior fellow, The Colossian Forum