Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Author shows theology’s accessibility in new book, ‘Fruitful Theology’

  • July 22, 2022
  • Lifeway Christian Resources
  • Latest News, Lifeway
(Photo courtesy of Lifeway)

Author shows theology’s accessibility in new book, ‘Fruitful Theology’

What do you picture when you think of a holy person?

Do you think of unsmiling faces or high-achieving intellectuals? Do you associate closeness with God and greater knowledge of the things of God with dour people in pews or lofty sounding conversations?

In his new book, “Fruitful Theology: How the Life of the Mind Leads to the Life of the Soul” releasing Aug. 30, 2022, Ronni Kurtz explores how theology can help reorient the Christian’s life toward the fruit of the Spirit and how a right contemplation of God can lead to right living for God.

Ronni Kurtz (Photo courtesy of Lifeway)

Seeking ‘a head full of truth’

“I am convinced a head full of truth ought to lead to a heart full of love and hands full of care,” Kurtz said.

“Beholding God will indeed lead to transformation,” he noted. “As our mind’s eye gets a clearer picture of who He is and what He’s done, we’ll not remain the same. In fact, contemplating God will bring about a transformation from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18) until we ultimately are in glory where our faith is turned to sight and we will behold Him unlike ever before.”

Both lay people who may be intimidated by theology and academics who may be exhausted by theology have seen it weaponized or politicized in an us-vs-them culture war. But theology was never intended to be a tool to belittle others and elevate self. Instead, the heart of theology is right worship of God and right love for our neighbors.

‘Vital fruit of the Spirit’

Focusing on the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, Kurtz evaluates how Christians who fix their minds on the things of God (and all things in relation to Him) aren’t performing a mere intellectual stunt. Rather, they’re engaging in the process of producing fruit and becoming more Christlike.

“Throughout the book, we look at different truths in the Christian faith to show how focusing our minds on these things will transform us into the kind of people who demonstrate the vital fruit of the Spirit,” Kurtz said.

Kurtz explains every person is a theologian whether they realize it or not. The question is: Will you be a good theologian? As Kurtz explores each of the fruits of the Spirit, he breaks down barriers and helps the reader understand how accessible theology can be and how it impacts his or her Christian walk.

“I hope this short book is a reminder that theology isn’t an end in itself,” Kurtz said. “When theology is instead used as a means to the triune God, it can be a buffet of gladness.”

Ronni Kurtz is an assistant professor of theology at Cedarville University. Before moving to Ohio, Kurtz was a pastor of teaching and equipping at Emmaus Church in Kansas City, Missouri, where he also taught theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College. He is also the author of “No Shadow of Turning: Divine Immutability and the Economy of Redemption.”


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was originally written by Marissa Postell and published by Lifeway. 

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Jack Graham picked to serve on Trump’s new Religious Liberty Commission
    Jack Graham picked to serve on Trump’s new Religious Liberty Commission
    May 22, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • ‘Shocking act of violence’: 2 Israeli embassy staffers killed in shooting
    ‘Shocking act of violence’: 2 Israeli embassy staffers killed in shooting
    May 22, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Supreme Court’s 4-4 split on Catholic charter school leaves unanswered questions
    Supreme Court’s 4-4 split on Catholic charter school leaves unanswered questions
    May 22, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Jack Graham picked to serve on Trump’s new Religious Liberty Commission

President Donald Trump has appointed Jack Graham, senior pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, to the advisory board of the newly established Religious Liberty Commission.

‘Shocking act of violence’: 2 Israeli embassy staffers killed in shooting

‘This is a shocking act of violence and our community is holding each other tighter tonight,’ said American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch.

Supreme Court’s 4-4 split on Catholic charter school leaves unanswered questions

The Court’s one-sentence ruling noted, “The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court.”

10 former SBC presidents urge avoiding ‘ultimatum’ with ERLC

“Every entity — including the ERLC — should be open to critique and committed to improvement. But there is a difference between refinement and eradication. A sledgehammer is not the tool for adjusting a mirror.”

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel