Way to Live

This semester at EDS, readings have run the gamut of St. Paul to F.D. Morris to prison abolitionists. When I have needed a downshift from such dense material, I would read a chapter of WAY TO LIVE: CHRISTIAN PRACTICES FOR TEENS edited by Dorothy C. Bass and Don C. Richter. It has been like munching on fine chocolates in between servings of vegetables.

WAY TO LIVE contains twenty essays about topics that challenge teenagers in their daily lives such as time, friendship, music, justice, choices, and prayer. Published in 2002, the book was assembled through the Valparaiso Project on the Education and Formation of People in Faith. Each chapter has a different author or authors, and these writers include a diverse group of Christians voices. We hear from students and teachers, children and parents, women and men, and a half-dozen Christian denominations.

Each chapter focuses on one theme. For instance, the fifth chapter is entitled "Food". It begins with a quote from an 18 year-old who thinks of each meal as a "gift from God". Then we get a brief assortment of statements that kids are likely to hear about food, such as "Remember the food pyramid!" Having begun with familiar contexts, the writers invite us into some basic theological themes related to food. For instance, we are reminded that a meal is a gift from God which calls for our expression of gratitude (such as saying grace). From there, we discover that food connects us to so many other people, as it comes to us through a train of human labor from the field to the kitchen. It ties us to those who brought it to us, just as it can connect us to those at the table. Thus, food can be an object of welcome, a rallying point that brings people together. We then consider how feasting and fasting can bring us closer to God. Finally, the chapter concludes with some reflections about sharing a meal with Christ.

I like how the author invites the reader into the chapter by beginning with familiar contexts and moving into deeper theological territory. We get a nice balance of contemporary social matters, scriptural references, theological insights, and suggested action items. Not only did I like the writing, but I also appreciate the ample photos and illustrations which liven up the text. Many of these illustrations are generalized, iconic figures which gives WAY TO LIVE a timeless feel.

Although I've not read every word, I have yet to find a chapter I don't like. The editors appear to have made a conscious choice not to select authors who are too preachy or dogmatic. WAY embraces a pretty mainstream theology, I think. Kudos also for the efforts to spotlight gender bias by using inclusive versions of the Psalms (in the chapter on grieving, for example).

As much as I enjoyed this book, I do have a few reservations. WAY cries for a revised edition, as there is almost no mention of the technology that has permeated youth culture in the last few years. Thus, we have little discussion of cell phones, text messages, Facebook, and so forth. The illustrations may be timeless, but the writing could use some tech-aware updating.

I also have to wonder who will read this book and when. Junior and senior high school students could be asked to read a chapter a week, since the chapters tend to run a managable 15-20 pages. But school years are so demanding between academics and after-school sport & music practice time, so I'm not sure when kids will have the time or patience to digest this material. Maybe a devout few will experience WAY like I did: a candy snack in between rigorous studies.

With the caveat that the book needs to be supplemented with a few tech-savvy lessons, WAY TO LIVE is a reader-friendly, theologically-sound resource for people of all ages who want to bring Christ into their daily lives.