In a world of noise, distraction, and shallow connection, this book offers a slower way. With honesty about doubt and deconstruction, it invites readers to resist quick fixes, embrace mystery, and cultivate communal faith. Theologically rich yet accessible, it equips us with practices to steady our walk with Jesus in today’s frenetic culture.

I’ve been a fan of both of these authors for a while! Swoboda’s After Doubt and Gupta’s Tell Her Story have shaped me deeply (I practically quoted After Doubt in its entirety in my master’s thesis 😂). What I respect most is how they model authentic questioning of faith while still holding a high view of Scripture—a rare combination in most conversations about shifting belief. That’s why they’re the perfect duo to guide us in developing a theology that doesn’t crumble every time culture shifts. Instead, they call us to sloooowly think through what we believe. Faith is going to falter if it isn’t yours. This book gives us eight practices to develop just that.

Thank you @brazospress for the ARC 🥰 I love what these authors are contributing to the discipleship/theology discussion.

Perfect for you if you like:
Theology
Spiritual formation
Honest wrestling

Similar to:
Discover the Mystery of Faith by Glenn Packiam
Faith After Doubt by Brian D. McLaren
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

I truly appreciate the focus on slowness, and found some good things in here. One of my favorite quotes:
"In fact, we often settle for knowing things about God without knowing God himself. We have a word for that: "stalker.""

However, I had difficulty figuring out the narrative voice. It seemed that the book was about both a slow approach to theology (humility and patience, being willing to sit in the messy) and theology that flows out of that slowness (for example, salvation is a long, slow process of sanctification). I didn't find the "practices" language from the subtitle an accurate description of the chapter layout.

Slow Theology is a beautiful reminder that following Jesus isn’t a race to the finish line but a pilgrimage. For anyone longing to slow down, to deepen faith beyond the superficial, and to live resiliently in an often frenetic world, this book offers both encouragement and direction. It’s not just theological reflection—it’s a practical guide to cultivating a faith that can endure.

The thing that strikes me about A.J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta, co-authors for "Slow Theology: Eight Practices for Resilient Faith in a Turbulent World," is that they're slow and steady.

These are not showboating theologians. These are not attention-seekers. There's really not a page of excess contained within the relatively quick read that is "Slow Theology." (NOTE: I say "quick read" primarily directing it toward theology nerds who devour anything and everything theology).

Swoboda and Gupta are refreshing in that there are no real "quick takes" here or theological lightning strikes. Instead, "Slow Theology" leans into a deeper faith found in a gentler, more patient and, yes, slower way of leaning into our Christian faith by utilizing these eight practices not in a legalistic way but in a life-giving way.

"Slow Theology" is less prescriptive and more facilitating of deep faith in the busyness that has become our lives. I can't help but think this is an intentional approach to writing "Slow Theology." In a world of high-volume disagreements and knee-jerk Christianity, "Slow Theology" leans into eight practices capable of transforming and protecting our faith against cultural challenges and techno-impulses.

While I will admit I didn't necessarily resonate with every conclusion made here, I did resonate with these practices encouraging a more patient life of prayer and Bible study, a gentler pace for faith formation, an encouragement against rapid-fire decison-making and drive-thru faith practices and, for me most refreshingly, tackling our spiritual difficulties directly rather than kicking them on down the road.

Some of the conclusions, for example those around social media, feel a tad "easy" to me and more based in stereotype than personal experience. However, these are minor quibbles for a book that provides for a more soothing Christian life and more fulfilling and meaningful connection.

"Slow Theology" is ideal for personal devotional time, small groups and, in my opinion, young adult groups making that transition from childhood faith practices to adulthood faith practices. Even when I didn't agree, I found these ideas worthy of contemplation and valuable to my own life of faith.