The Craft of Contextual Theology: Towards a Conversation on Theological Method in the Philippine Context

Grundtvig as a Contextual TheologianBy Anders HolmbergA comparison between Swedish and Danish theology and church life makes it clear that Grundtvig has affected Denmark in a way that has no immediate parallel in Sweden. The point of departure for Holmberg’s study is the assumption that this is due to the unique concord between Grundtvig’s theology and the Danish society in the 19th century. This concord is illustrated by the inclusion of the concept of »contextual theology« which has played an importantrole in the Swedish theological scholarship of recent years, owing to the Anglo-Saxon influence on Swedish theology. The concept of contextual theology is explained on the basis of the American theologian Stephen B. Bevans’s discussion of the concept. With this approach Holmberg wants to throw light on Grundtvig’s theological method rather than his final result. Thus, the goal is to be able to answer the question whether Grundtvig’s theology can be described as a contextual theology. For this purpose, one of Grundtvig’s principal works, Den christelige B.rnel.rdom (Elemental Christian Teaching) is used.In his account of contextual theology Bevans distinguishes between five different methods, all of them serving to illuminate the relationship between Christian faith and the surrounding contemporary culture. The terms he uses for these methods are 1) the translation model, 2) the anthropological model, 3) the practise model, 4) the synthesis model, and 5) the transcendental model.Holmberg believes that elements of Grundtvig’s theology can be elucidated on the basis of all five methods, but concludes that especially the anthropological and the transcendental models harmonize with Grundtvig’s theology.The anthropological model assumes that the revelation of God takes place spontaneously in culture. It is not possible to distinguish between the Christian identity and culture since faith finds its true expression in man’s own language and culture. This is reminiscent of Grundtvig’s ideas about Christianity and folk culture, even though, with his emphasis on the Apostolic Creed as the foundation of Christianity, Grundtvig defines the identity of the Christian faith with greater precision than is the case with the anthropological model. Compared with that model, Grundtvig is also more firmly attached to the Christian tradition than to contemporary culture. The fact that Danish culture was completely saturated with Christian faith at the time of Grundtvig finds expression in his ideas about the interaction of Christianity and folk culture. This is in keeping with the anthropological model.The transcendental model operates with an individual believer as its starting- point, since it explains how this individual’s religious experience is expressed authentically through actual cultural conditions. In continuation of Svend Bjerg’s research, Holmberg maintains that Grundtvig’s theology is based precisely on the experiences of his own life, and that consequently his theology has since been able to lead to similar life experiences.On the background of his analyses Holmberg concludes that it is possible to regard Grundtvig as a contextual theologian. Continuing this line of thought, he points out that it is difficult in our time to make direct use of Grundtvig’s theological thinking in an attempt to formulate the Christian faith in a present-day Nordic context. It is, however, quite possible to learn from Grundtvig’s working method.

Download Full-text

The Locus Theologicus of U. S. Hispanic/ Latino/a Theology and Its Implications for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Curriculum Development

Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling Advancing theory and professional practice through scholarly and reflective publications ◽

10.1177/154230500505900302 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

pp. 185-199

Author(s):

Francis Rivers Meza

Keyword(s):

Curriculum Development ◽

Theological Method ◽

Contextual Theology ◽

Clinical Pastoral Education ◽

Pastoral Education ◽

History Of ◽

Second Year

The author examines the history of theological method based on the term locus theologicus, the refinement of this method by Liberation Theologians and U. S. Hispanic/Latino/a Theologians, and describes one experience of using contextual theology to develop curriculum for Second-Year Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Residents.

Download Full-text

Towards a global theology: Theological method and contextualisation

Verbum et Ecclesia ◽

10.4102/ve.v37i1.1536 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Brian A. De Vries

Keyword(s):

Local Church ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Theological Method ◽

Contextual Theology ◽

Biblical Text ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Ministry Practice ◽

Global Theology

How should the cultural context influence theological formulation? This article examines contextualisation as it relates to theological method. After considering definitions and methods for formulating contextual theology, it applies the method in two areas: the missional activity of communicating the gospel in a particular cultural context, and the ecclesial activity of improving upon the theological confession of the local church. The author concludes by briefly considering the method with a global perspective.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Some traditions have failed to contextualise the biblical message, whereas other ministry practice has radically altered its message in an attempt to be contextually sensitive. Recent research has resulted in a confusing array of conflicting methods with drastically different practical applications. This article explores how theological method largely determines contextualisation, and it offers a method that is both faithful to the biblical text and sensitive to the contextual situation

Download Full-text

Sedes Doctrinae in the Eucharistic Christology of Martin Chemnitz

E-Theologos Theological revue of Greek Catholic Theological Faculty ◽

10.2478/v10154-012-0005-x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 52-67

Author(s):

Michal Valčo

Keyword(s):

Theological Method ◽

Greek Text

Sedes Doctrinae in the Eucharistic Christology of Martin Chemnitz Martin Chemnitz uses thorough exegesis to interpret relevant texts pertaining to the sacraments in the Scriptures. This was not so common in his day and age. Medieval theologians tended to repeat and elaborate on ancient and more recent tradition instead of delving into the mysteries of the original Hebrew and/or Greek text. Chemnitz presents a mature and complex theology of the Eucharist under the title Fundamenta Sanae Doctrinae which later became known as De Coena Domini. We can observe his common theological method here as well.

Download Full-text

Menggali Metode Berteologi Pastoral dari Pentalogi R. Hardawiryana SJ

DISKURSUS - JURNAL FILSAFAT DAN TEOLOGI STF DRIYARKARA ◽

10.26551/diskursus.v14i2.25 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 270

Author(s):

C. Putranto

Keyword(s):

Theological Method ◽

Second Vatican Council ◽

Main Interest ◽

Vatican Council ◽

Theological Foundation ◽

Unpublished Manuscripts ◽

Intellectual Formation

Abstrak: Dalam tulisan ini penulis berusaha mencermati karya-karya dari almarhum Pater Robertus Hardawiryana, SJ (1926-2009), salah satu teolog Indonesia yang terkemuka segera seusai Konsili Vatikan II. Berdasarkan karya-karya beliau terakhir yang sudah diterbitkan, yakni Pentalogi, tetapi juga memanfaatkan beberapa manuskrip yang belum diterbitkan, penulis memusatkan diri pada pandangan Hardawiryana tentang metode berteologi sejauh tercermin dalam tulisan-tulisannya. Pada umumnya, pandangan Hardawiryana tentang metode bisa dilihat pada awal karangan-karangannya, di mana tampak bahwa dia sangat sadar akan pentingnya metode dalam berteologi. Dalam hal ini Hardawiryana sejalan dengan arah-arah baru yang dibuka oleh Federasi Konferensi-konferensi Uskup Asia dalam pelbagai dokumennya. Meskipun demikian, sulit diharapkan suatu paparan teoretis yang menyeluruh dan sistematis tentang metode berteologi dari teolog ini, mengingat bahwa minat utamanya lebih tertuju pada pengupayaan suatu arah pastoral yang kuat pada tulisan-tulisan teologi, dan sebaliknya juga, pada pemberian dasar teologis yang kuat pada kebijakan-kebijakan pastoral. Selain itu, penulis juga memandang perlu untuk menilik sejenak pembentukan intelektual Hardawiryana agar lebih menolong untuk memahami kecenderungan-kecenderungannya kelak dalam berteologi. Kata-kata Kunci: Teologi, metode berteologi, pembinaan teologi, orientasi pastoral, inkulturasi, FABC. Abstract: In this essay the author attempts to explore the works of the late Fr. Robert Hardawiryana, S.J., (1926-2009), one of prominent Indonesian theologians in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. Based on this theologian’s latest published works, the Pentalogi, but also making use of some yet unpublished manuscripts, the author focuses on Hardawiryana’s view of theological method as reflected in his writings. In most cases, his view on method can be seen from the introduction he provides at the beginning of his articles, as he is highly aware of the importance of method in doing theology. In this way he concurs with the new trends opened up by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference in its various documents. However, one can hardly expect a thorough and systematic theoretical exposition on theological method from this theologian, as his main interest lies elsewhere, namely, to bring a truly responsible pastoral thrust to theological writings, and vice versa, to provide sound theological foundation to pastoral policies. The author also considers that a glimpse at his intellectual formation would be of considerable help to understand Hardawiryana’s future leanings in theology. Keywords: Theology, method of theology, theological formation, pastoral orientation, inculturation, FABC.

Download Full-text