Faith, Praxis, and Practical Theology: At the Interface of Sociology and Theology

Horizons ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Lawler
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Actual Situation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

ABSTRACTThis essay is an exercise in practical theology, the theological reflection arising out of and in response to the church's actual situation. Practical theology insists that it is not enough to analyze the church's actual situation with deductive, ahistorical theological principles, but that it is necessary, first, to uncover and, then, reflect critically on the actual situation to test it for the presence of the Spirit, relevance, and significance in light of the gospel. Practical theology grows out of the relationship between theoria and praxis which, for the church, is the relationship between faith and praxis. The essay argues that to recognize scientifically the church's actual situation and to perform the required theological reflection practical theology requires sociology.The essay explores, therefore, the relationship between practical theology and the data of sociological research. It also examines the theological realities, sensus fidei and reception, and explores their relationship to that data. The exploration is concretized theologically by a consideration of the sociological data and theology about two Catholic moral doctrines, divorce and remarriage without prior annulment and artificial contraception. A theological reflection on the actual situation of both doctrines and a sociological consideration of the data suggest the conclusion that a dramatic development and re-reception of both doctrines, in line with previous dramatic developments of doctrine in the church, is under way.

scholarly journals Fé e política na ação pastoral da Igreja hoje

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (280) ◽  
pp. 819
Author(s):  
Nicolau João Bakker
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
High Significance ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church ◽  
Pastoral Action

Uma das características da ação pastoral concreta da Igreja Latino-americana, nas últimas décadas, tem sido o refluxo na relação entre fé e política. Este mesmo refluxo, no entanto, não pode ser observado na reflexão teológica do continente. No intuito de superar um hiato crescente entre o crer e o agir, este artigo analisa as relações entre fé e política na perspectiva das cosmovisões teológica e antropológica do passado para ressaltar sua alta significância para o contexto atual da Igreja. Esta se vê confrontada hoje com uma nova cosmovisão, a “ecológica”. As lições do passado, o agir histórico de Jesus e a nova cosmovisão iluminam os passos a serem dados no presente.Abstract: The concrete pastoral action of the latin-american church, in the last decades, has been characterized by a diminishing of the relationship between faith and politics. The same can not be observed, however, in the theological reflection of the continent. To overcome the growing lap between faith and action, this article analyzes the relations between faith and politics in the theological and anthropological cosmovisions of the past in order to enhance their high significance for the actual context of the church. The church, nowadays, is facing a new “ecological” cosmovision. The lessons of the past, the historical action of Jesus and this new cosmovision illuminate the steps for the present.

Methodism and the Church

2018 ◽  
pp. 316-334
Author(s):  
David M. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Holiness Movement ◽  
Ordained Ministry ◽  
Means Of Grace ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Church

This chapter examines the nature of the church in Methodist experience and practice from the origins of Methodism as a network of religious societies in the eighteenth century to its present day self-understanding as a global communion of churches. The article discusses: (1) the Wesleyan foundations of Methodist ecclesiology; (2) methods, sources, and norms in Methodist theological reflection on the church; (3) how Methodists interpret the credal marks of the church; (4) the ordained ministry; and (5) the means of grace and authority. A concluding section considers the future agenda for ecclesiology as a branch of practical theology in Methodism. Confident in its providential mission to spread scriptural holiness and ecumenical in outlook, Methodism remains in essence a holiness movement in search of its true ecclesial location in the Holy Catholic Church.

Re-Membering in Action: Liturgy and Healing of Hurt Memories

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-113
Author(s):  
Mabvuto Felix Phiri
Keyword(s):  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Past Event ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Face ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

We experience around us situations of violence, pain, suffering, and injustice. Some of these experiences often leave individual and/or communal memories hurt in many different ways. The consequence is that when these hurt memories live with us they begin to shape our identity and selfhood from the perspective of wounded persons. Overlooking these experiences or burying them to amnesia can lead to the denial of what we are truly called to be. Remembering well these memories with hope for a better future in the presence of the risen Lord would be a source of healing for both individuals and communities. This essay posits liturgy as the means by which we can re-member the past to the present and so look to the future with hope of healing. This is so because liturgy has the capacity to bring the participants in the ritual to the past event as a present encounter. Through symbols, gestures, words, songs, and materials used in the ritual, in a concrete manner the participants receive what they are ritualizing in reality. In this way liturgy can give a body to memory, say what words cannot master to say, and to hope for what would be hopeless: healing of hurt memories. This is a theological reflection on the relationship between liturgy and healing of hurt memories through the path of forgiveness. It posits that through liturgy, forgiveness can be given a body and so through forgiveness the Church can offer new life in the face of horrifying hurt memories.

scholarly journals Practical theology: A current international perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R. Osmer
Keyword(s):  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
The Common ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
A Current

Drawing on Thomas Kuhn’s concept of paradigms, this article explored two levels at which paradigms influence contemporary practical theology. The first level is reflective practice, where pastors and academics carry out the descriptive-empirical, interpretive, normative and pragmatic tasks of practical theological reflection on particular contexts. The second level is metatheoretical, where practical theologians make decisions about how they view the theory– praxis relationship, interdisciplinary work, the relative weight of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience and the theological rationale that justifies their approach. The article concluded by raising two challenges to the current paradigms of practical theology: the relationship between Christian particularity and the common good, and the wound of reason.

scholarly journals Persekutuan Umat Allah Di Dalam Cyberspace

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Thomas Onggo Sumaryanto ◽  
Hariawan Adji
Keyword(s):  
Catholic Church ◽  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Live Streaming ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The People ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Eucharistic Communion ◽  
The Church

This research departs from the phenomenon of live streaming mass due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Face-to-face mass activities were eliminated and replaced by using live streaming media. The focus of this research is to see how the value of the communion of people in the Eucharist can be maintained in cyberspace. Researchers used qualitative research methods with a theological reflection approach based on the thoughts of Antonio Spadaro and Anthony Le Duc about cyber theology. The novelty of this research is a theological reflection from the perspective of the teachings of the Catholic Church. The results showed that the people were helped to maintain the value of the Eucharistic communion in the midst of a pandemic. Cyberspace is a forum to strengthen relationships between believers emotionally and spiritually. However, it must be emphasized that cyberspace is only a supplement. This space is needed according to the portion and remains actualized in a real and direct relationship. Research data shows that people feel that they are not enough with live streaming mass. The church needs to help people to reflect more deeply on the relationship between God and humans in cyberspace. Therefore the Church has a tough task after the pandemic ends. AbstrakPenelitian ini berangkat dari fenomen misa live streaming akibat pandemik Covid-19. Kegiatan misa secara tatap muka ditiadakan dan diganti dengan memanfaatkan media live streaming. Fokus penelitian ini melihat bagaimana nilai persekutuan umat di dalam Ekaristi bisa dipertahankan dalam cyberspace. Peneliti menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan refleksi teologis berdasarkan pemikiran Antonio Spadaro dan Anthony Le Duc tentang cybertheology. Kebaruan penelitian ini adalah refleksi teologis dengan sudut pandang ajaran Gereja Katolik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa umat dibantu untuk mempertahankan nilai persekutuan Ekaristi di tengah pandemi. Cyberspace menjadi wadah untuk menguatkan relasi antarumat secara emosional dan spiritual. Namun yang harus ditekankan adalah cyberspace hanya suplemen. Ruang ini dibutuhkan sesuai porsinya dan tetap diaktualisasikan dalam relasi nyata dan langsung. Data penelitian menunjukkan umat merasa tidak cukup dengan misa live streaming. Gereja perlu membantu umat untuk merefleksikan lebih mendalam lagi relasi Tuhan dan manusia di dalam cyberspace. Oleh sebab itu Gereja mempunyai tugas berat setelah pandemi berakhir. 

scholarly journals Agter die syfers is gelowiges, gemeentes en die kerk, ’n prakties teologiese refleksie oor lidmaatskap

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
W.J. Schoeman
Keyword(s):  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Church Membership ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Empirical Survey ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Theological Perspective ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

Behind the numbers are believers, congregations and the church, a practical theological reflection on membership. Churches, especially mainline churches, reported the past few years a decline in their membership numbers. This trend of declining membership deserves attention and asks for a practical theological reflection. Behind the declining statistics are believers, congregations and churches that should be part of a broader reflection. Membership not only describes a static and geographic relationship, it can also be described as dynamic and fluid. The purpose of this article is to discuss this declining trend of church membership from a practical theological perspective. This phenomenon is discussed for the church in general and then the specific situation of the Dutch Reformed Church is described in more depth. The latest Church mirror data (an empirical survey in the DRC) is used as a quantitative lens. Against this background it is clear that the relationship between member and congregation exists within a dynamic and changing context, which can no longer be described in simplistic terms. Membership should be seen as a fluid and variable concept that describes the relationship with the congregation. The challenge is to develop a new ecclesiology with new terms and metaphors to describe this relationship.

From the Descriptive to the Normative: Towards a Practical Theology of the Charismatic-Evangelical Urban Church

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-132
Author(s):  
Andy Wier
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Urban Churches ◽  
Urban Church ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Methodological Challenges ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Way

This article explores the relationship between ‘descriptive’ accounts of contemporary ecclesial practice and ‘normative’ claims of theological truth. It argues that practical theology needs to give more attention to the way that the tensions between these two voices or tasks are negotiated. A case study is provided of a research project that attempted to move beyond the descriptive to the normative by articulating a theological response to tensions that charismatic-evangelical urban churches experience. This study illustrates both the methodological challenges and benefits of combining the descriptive and the normative in studies of the Church. It also points to the possibility of a more fruitful charismatic-evangelical engagement with practical theology.

scholarly journals A centre for community life in its fullness

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Attie Van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Community Life ◽  
Sustainable Communities ◽  
Christian Community ◽  
University Of Pretoria ◽  
The World ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

This article considers some theological reasons why there is a Centre for Sustainable Communities at the Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria. The role of the Centre is discussed within the global and local search for sustainability; the world-wide trend in churches towards a missional approach, which emphasises the church�s life-giving role in all areas of life, and the theological reflection on the relationship between the church community and the civil community, so reflecting on the role of the local church to promote life in its fullness in the community. The Centre for Sustainable Communities (Centre) was established at the Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, in 2014. The Centre is intended to develop resources for local congregations to promote life in its fullness in local communities in southern Africa in an effective and meaningful way. In this article attention is given to the theological reasons for its establishment and where it is being positioned in the wider field of sustainability institutions. Attention will be given to the following:� The position of the Centre in the global search for sustainability.� Life in its fullness in the emerging 21st century missional paradigm.� The Christian community as agent of life in its fullness in the civil community.

Word and sacrament as paradigmatic for pastoral theology: in search of a definition via Brueggemann, Hauerwas and Ricoeur

2003 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-463
Author(s):  
Lance Stone
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Theology ◽  
Identity Crisis ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Community Of Faith ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Walter Brueggemann ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church ◽  
Reflection On Practice

The current debate about the nature and parameters of pastoral theology emphasises practice as both the source and the end of theological reflection: pastoral theology as reflection on practice with a view to transforming practice. This raises issues for pastoral theologians from the Reformed tradition, which prioritises word and prizes scripture and preaching as fundamental ways in which the word is mediated to us. Current philosophical, cultural and ecclesiological developments emphasise the constructed nature of our worlds, the crucial place of language in world construction, and the ‘textured’ nature of the community of faith. Thus theologians associated with the term ‘post-liberal’ emphasise that in a time of displacement, marginalisation and identity crisis the church, like the Jewish community in exile, returns to its texts as its home and the source of its identity and its practice. Taking the theology of Walter Brueggemann as a starting point, this paper explores the relationship between proclamation and practice in the church's life, and seeks, through a Reformed paradigm of word and sacrament, a ‘post-liberal’ redefinition of pastoral theology that gives a higher profile to the church's ‘peculiar speech’.

scholarly journals Grundtvig i økumenisk perspektiv

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-174
Author(s):  
Peter Lodberg
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Fundamental Difference ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
Holy Communion ◽  
Danish Version ◽  
The World ◽  
Historical Fact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church ◽  
Ecumenical Theology

Grundtvig in an Ecumenical PerspectiveBy Peter LodbergN.F.S. Grundtvig’s theology has often been perceived as a uniquely Danish phenomenon. This has resulted in a failure to appreciate the ecumenical themes in his theology and has precluded a positive consideration of what impulses his comprehensive work may have added to the ecumenical debate about such issues as practical theology, ecclesiology, and the relationship between Scripture and tradition.The article points out that in order to understand Grundtvig’s church view it is absolutely essential to begin with the Danish version of a classical discussion in ecumenical theology: the relationship between justification and church, christology and ecclesiology, as it manifested itself in the discussion between Grundtvig and H.N. Clausen about the nature of Catholicism and Protestantism.In Kirkens Gienmæle (The Rejoinder of the Church), Grundtvig rejects the attempt by modem Protestantism to establish a fundamental difference between the two versions of the understanding of Christianity in the Western Church as far as the question of the relationship between justification and church is concerned. According to Grundtvig, such an attempt is bound to end in heresy, since it fails to appreciate the actual historical church as the bearer of God’s salvation in the world. Instead Grundtvig emphasizes an ecumenical ecclesiology, starting from a common confession of the Apostles’ Creed, Baptism and Communion, which are the unifying elements of all Christians, regardless of differences in theological dogma. Hence follows that there is no fundamental difference between Catholicism and Protestantism, but a shared basic view as far as the content and celebration of faith is concerned.Thus, what Grundtvig achieves is a theological freedom to remain critical of the transformations undergone by the historical church in its many confessional and national versions through the ages. But at the same time this means that there is a decisive systematic-theological point in emphasizing that Grundtvig always speaks about the Christian Church before he speaks about the confessional or national church. It should be stressed at the same time that the all-Christian church is not invisible or an unattainable ideal, but a historical fact when the congreation is gathered for divine service. Here the Gospel and the Holy Communion is administered to people, so the faith must live in their hearts.Grace is thus inseparable from and dependent on the sacramental presence as it is experienced in the church which is the congregation celebrating divine service. Thus the way has been opened for a positive consideration of Grundtvig’s contributions to ecumenical theology.

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