Practical theological considerations for a transformative theological education agenda in an African context

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-438
Author(s):  
Alfred Brunsdon
Keyword(s):  
Theological Education ◽  
African Context ◽  
Education Agenda ◽  
Practical Theological

Theological Education and Missional Formation in the South African Context

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-191
Author(s):  
Jerry Pillay
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
South African Context ◽  
The South ◽  
African Context ◽  
Missional Formation

This article looks at theological education and missional formation in the South African context. It examines the understanding of theology and mission and connects it with theological education. It then proceeds to explore some of the essential elements that should constitute theological education in the South African context. The aim is to show that theological education in South Africa is in need of transformation.

scholarly journals The folly of vulnerability beyond epistemic injustice and the power of knowledge: A vulnerable praxis of thinking (practical theological ethos) in global conversation

2012 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann-Albrecht Meylahn
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
The Other ◽  
Epistemic Injustice ◽  
South African Context ◽  
African Context ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
The Voice

The diverse and divided South African context of post 1994 is the context in which the texts of reality are read (knowledge is created and reality is interpreted). This particular diverse and pluralistic reading with and within the context is sensitive to the voice of the other and thus provides an inbuilt deconstruction thereby offering a vulnerable practical theological openness to the global conversation beyond certainties. This holy folly of vulnerability was explored with regards to South Africa’s practical theological contribution to the global conversation.

scholarly journals Theological Field Education as a Bridge across Disciplines

Religions ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Kristina I. Lizardy-Hajbi
Keyword(s):  
Education Program ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Field Education ◽  
Academic Fields ◽  
Theological Field Education ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
Transformative Curriculum

Theological field education—also known as contextual education—operates as the explicitly embodied nexus of seminary-based learning, placing both practical theological and broader theological, religious, and/or spiritual educational frameworks in dialogue with one’s experiences within a particular site context. Drawing upon the example of the events that took place in March 1965 at the Edmund Pettus Bridge connecting Selma to Montgomery, as well as the bridge’s enduring function as a material and symbolic site of transformation, connections are made to the ways that theological field education bridges both practical theology and other areas of theological education, generally and as actualized specifically within one theological school’s field education program, through three overarching themes: Embodiment, reflection, and formation. In the acts of bridging that occur in each of these areas, points of commonality are discussed and illustrated. Finally, initial suggestions for further bridging between disparate academic fields and theological field education are offered toward the cultivation of a more integrative, transformative curriculum.

Let them Come to Me: A Youth Inclusive and Missional Perspective in Presbyterian Context

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Kevin Muriithi Ndereba
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Youth Ministry ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Presbyterian Church ◽  
Education Experience ◽  
Practical Ministry ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
The Church ◽  
Contemporary Context

Abstract The contemporary context creates complexities for the young person. These include the political and socio-economic realities of African states, the cultural renaissance of Africanism and the reality of postmodernity. From both a practical theological perspective as well as experience in higher education, the author claims that ministers in the Presbyterian Church lack a missional perspective to the contemporary African (Kenyan) youth. The author proposes that theological education in Kenya must seriously consider youth ministry education. Second, Presbyterian ecclesiology must be missional minded by moving from an inward posture to a missional posture that considers the African (Kenyan) youth. This reflection will engage practical ministry and higher education experience, as well as an inter-disciplinary literature survey, to offer a missional perspective for the church and theological education.

scholarly journals Practical theology as ‘healing of memories’: Critical reflections on a specific methodology

2011 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian A. Nell
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Theoretical Construct ◽  
South African Context ◽  
The Past ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
African Context ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
Healing Of Memories

When developing new perspectives and paradigms for practical theology in South Africa, we obviously have to take our South African context seriously. We live in a post-conflict society in which gigantic sociocultural shifts have taken place since 1994. Many institutions and groups endeavour to address the conflict, injustices and pain of the past, including the Institute for the Healing of Memories (IHOM). The Institute makes use of a specific methodology in their workshops. Having participated in these workshops in congregational contexts as well as in the training of theological students, in this article I investigated the methodology of the Institute as a framework for new perspectives on practical theology in South Africa. Making use of Victor Turner’s theoretical construct of ‘social drama’ as one way of looking at the methodology of the IHOM, I reflected critically on the challenges that it poses to practical theology by making use of a ‘rhetorical frame’ and trying to delineate some constructive proposals for further reflections on practical theological paradigms and perspectives.

scholarly journals Being treated like ‘waste’ during the ‘golden years’: Practical-theological perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petria M. Theron
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
South African ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The South ◽  
The Status ◽  
African Context ◽  
Practical Theological

The South African Government published the Older Persons Act no. 13 of 2006. The objectives of the Act are inter alia to maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older persons, to maintain and protect their rights and to combat abuse of older persons. This act is indispensable, as the elderly (people of 65 and older) form a growing segment of the South African population (4.767% in 1996 − 5.019% in 2011). They are in many regards extremely vulnerable, as they often face negative views regarding older people, experience discrimination, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Many atrocities are committed against them and one hears horror stories of older people who are abused and/or neglected by their own children and/or other people. One could almost say that these people, during their so-called ‘golden years’, are treated like ‘human waste’. I will investigate this phenomenon and attempt to interpret it within the South African context. I will then identify certain biblical guidelines to orientate one’s attitude towards old age and the elderly. To conclude, I will propose strategies to prevent elder abuse and restore human dignity to them.

scholarly journals The Openseminary Methodology: Practical Theology as Personal, Local and Transformative

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 652
Author(s):  
Brian Macallan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Technological Change ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Education Today ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
Theological Methodology

Theological education continues to be subject to rapid social and technological change, which is further exacerbated by the recent global pandemic. Practical theology as a discipline continues to grow, being well placed methodologically to engage with diverse contexts and these global realities. The task for theological education is whether it can meet these challenges and be part of the transformation required. Openseminary as a methodology and program was developed in the early 2000s by Wynand De Kock to enable students to both learn practical theology as a methodology, as well as reflect theologically in their own context. Over the last two decades, it has run in South Africa, at Tabor College in Australia, as well as Palmer Seminary in the United States. In what follows, the methodology and program are explored in terms of their genesis, history, and current articulation. It is argued that it is a practical theological methodology well suited to the personal, local, and transformative goals of theological education today.

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