Theological Reflection and the Formation of Pastoral Counselors

2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 29-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loren Townsend
2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 467-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas St. James O'Connor ◽  
Elizabeth Meakes

This qualitative research examines how much time is spent in theological reflection in the praxis of pastoral care and counseling. Seventy-five persons were interviewed from four cultures: chaplains, pastoral counselors, community clergy and seminary students who had completed a congregational internship. Seventy participants were from Christian faith groups with five from Muslim, Unitarian and spiritual faith groups. Individual interviews and focus groups were used. Findings showed that seminarians averaged 7.5 hrs/wk, community clergy 7 hr/wk, chaplains 6 hrs/wk and pastoral counselors 4.2 hrs/wk, with many in the sample not able to specify a time. All affirmed that theological reflection is integrated into everything they do in ministry. In discussion of the data, we observed that the goals of ATS and CAPPE around theological reflection are being met. However, the research suggests that developing the discipline of theological reflection requires a specific time per week along with the practice of writing and obtaining new input. We recommend a minimum of four hrs/wk for formal theological reflection. Limitations and areas for future research are presented. Cette recherche qualitative examine combien d’heures s’est passées en toute réflexion théologique faite aux préoccupations de soin pastoral et de consultation pastorale. On avait tenu des entrevues avec soixante-quinze personnes de quatre cultures différentes: des aumôniers, des conseillers pastoraux, des clergés de la communauté et des étudiants du séminaire qui avaient terminé un stage de travaux pratiques congrégationaiste. Soixante-dix participants sortaient des groupes chrétiens de foi avec cinq qui venaient de la communauté des musulmans, de l’église Unitarien et des groupes spirituels de foi. On avait entrepris des entrevues avec des individus et des groupes de choix. Les résultats avaient indiqué que les séminaristes s’occupaient de leur travaux en moyenne de 7.5 heures par semaine; le clergé de la communauté, 7 heures par semaine; les aumôniers, 6 heures par semaine; et les conseillers pastoraux 4.2 heures par semaine avec beaucoup d’entre eux dans l’échantillon qui n’étaient pas capable d’indiquer des heures précises. Tous les gens avaient affirmé que la réflexion théologique était intégrée dans tout ce qu’ils faisaient dans leur travail pastoral. Dans la discussion des données, nous avons observé que les buts de l’ATS et du CAPPE autour de la réflexion théologique avaient été accomplit. Cependant, la recherche suggère que pour développer la discipline de la réflexion théologique on a besoin d’une période spécifique du temps par semaine pour le faire en plus de la pratique de l’écriture et pour obtenir les nouvelles données. Nous recommandons quatre heures par semaine au minimum pour faire de la réflexion théologique formelle. Des limitations et les secteurs pour la recherche dans l’avenir sont présentés.


1996 ◽  
pp. 16-26
Author(s):  
Dionisiy Lyahovych

Ecological ethical duty is a kind of philosophical and theological reflection on environmental issues, and at the same time finding the appropriate foundation for environmental ethics. By the term "ethical duty" we mean the search for environmental value, the nature of which would have the effect of inducing the appropriate personal and social behavior and thus influenced the customs and culture of the people.


Author(s):  
Hanna Dewi Aritonang ◽  
Bestian Simangunsong ◽  
Adiani Hulu

This article addresses the issue of conflict between religious communities that cause enmity amid society. Hostilities must be overcome and resolved in accordance with the call of Christianity to live in love and peace. The study used the qualitative paradigm as the method of the research and the descriptive-analyses as the writing method by describing the research problems based on data collected from related publications.One of the powerful messages of Jesus's teaching is "Love your enemies." It’s one of the greatest challenges in life. Jesus Christ gave an important doctrine about loving the enemy because love is more powerful than evil, hurtful deeds. Loving the enemy means canceling hostilities and violence, but instead, it promises acceptance of each other. The title of this study is "love your enemies": A Christian Response to Embrace Others. As the title of this study is "love your enemies," the reason for the selection of this article is because the author sees that "loving the enemy is a commandment from God that must be obeyed. This research question emphasizes how to realize "loving the enemy" amid hostility. This paper argues that Jesus's command to love the enemy is a proper Christian lifestyle choice in the midst of hostility. We use CS Song thoughts, which elaborated with other scholars' views on theology, loving, and embracing others. The purpose of the research was to gain understanding and build a theological reflection on Jesus' commandment to love the enemy. In this article, we first briefly discuss the portrait of life among religious people in Indonesia. Secondly, we discuss the conflict between religious people in Indonesia. Finally, we apply the command of Jesus to love our enemy as a Christian lifestyle in the midst of hostility to construct harmony amid hostility. We propose the command of Jesus to ‘love your enemy’ as a response to establishing sustainable peace by embrace others. Finally, the Christians must become a loving community because God so loved us, and we also ought to love and embrace others.


Author(s):  
Andrew Briggs ◽  
Hans Halvorson ◽  
Andrew Steane

Two scientists and a philosopher aim to show how science both enriches and is enriched by Christian faith. The text is written around four themes: 1. God is a being to be known, not a hypothesis to be tested; 2. We set a high bar on what constitutes good argument; 3. Uncertainty is OK; 4. We are allowed to open up the window that the natural world offers us. This is not a work of apologetics. Rather, the text takes an overview of various themes and gives reactions and responses, intended to place science correctly as a valued component of the life of faith. The difference between philosophical analysis and theological reflection is expounded. Questions of human identity are addressed from philosophy, computer science, quantum physics, evolutionary biology and theological reflection. Contemporary physics reveals the subtle and open nature of physical existence, and offers lessons in how to learn and how to live with incomplete knowledge. The nature and role of miracles is considered. The ‘argument from design’ is critiqued, especially arguments from fine-tuning. Logical derivation from impersonal facts is not an appropriate route to a relationship of mutual trust. Mainstream evolutionary biology is assessed to be a valuable component of our understanding, but no exploratory process can itself fully account for the nature of what is discovered. To engage deeply in science is to seek truth and to seek a better future; it is also an activity of appreciation, as one may appreciate a work of art.


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