scholarly journals Who are we online? The interplay between online identity formation and Christian marriages

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Ferreira ◽  
Hannelie Yates ◽  
Alfred R. Brunsdon
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Marital Relationships ◽  
Scientific Field ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Online Identity ◽  
Practical Theological

Digital technologies have become an integrated part of everyday life, and this development has not left relationships untouched. A need exists for theological reflection on the interaction between the dynamic contexts of the digital age and Christian marital relationships. The relational implications of the digital age are quite vast; therefore the focus of the article will be limited to online identity formation as a particular challenge of the digital age. Employing the method of a literature study within the scientific field of practical theology, this article explores the interplay between online identity formation and Christian marriage. It suggests that online identity formation exists around a reciprocal interaction with two prominent qualities of Christian marriages: The expansion of the self and one-ness. When considering the interplay between online identity formation and Christian marriage, awareness can be created regarding the marital implications of spouses’ online engagements, which may enhance contextual pastoral care with a relational focus within the digital age.Contribution: The article contributes to practical theological reflection on challenges posed to Christian marriages by the digital age. It is aimed at stimulating pastoral thinking regarding online identity formation and its adverse effects on so-called one-ness in Christian marriages that can enhance pastoral care with a view on the flourishing of couples in the digital age.

scholarly journals Film as medium for meaning making: A practical theological reflection

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita L. Cloete
Keyword(s):  
Popular Culture ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Religious Identity ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Specific Form ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
The Self ◽  
Practical Theological

The reflection on film will be situated within the framework of popular culture and livedreligion as recognised themes within the discipline of practical theology. It is argued that theperspective of viewers is of importance within the process of meaning-making. By focusing onthe experience and meaning-making through the act of film-watching the emphasis is not somuch on the message that the producer wishes to convey but rather on the experience that iscreated within the viewer. Experience is not viewed as only emotional, but rather that, at least,both the cognitive and emotional are key in the act of watching a film. It is therefore arguedthat this experience that is seldom reflected on by viewers could serve as a fruitful platform formeaning-making by the viewer. In a context where there seems to be a decline in institutionalisedforms of religion, it is important to investigate emerging forms of religion. Furthermore, theturn to the self also makes people’s experiences and practices in everyday life valuableresources for theological reflection. This reflection could provide a theoretical framework forespecially empirical research on how film as specific form of media serves as a religiousresource and plays a role in the construction of meaning and religious identity.

scholarly journals Pastoral caregiving as life science: Towards an existential hermeneutics of life within the interplay between pastoral healing (cura vitae) and spiritual wholeness

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniël J. Louw
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Basic Assumption ◽  
Life Science ◽  
Spiritual Healing ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Existential Analysis ◽  
Spiritual Wholeness ◽  
The Media ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
Pastoral Caregiving

Currently, the media is creating an illusion of youthful wellbeing: ‘healthism’. But is life merely about physical health? What is meant by spiritual healing in pastoral caregiving? By means of the ontology of life and an existential analysis of the structure of being, a grid is developed in order to make a pastoral diagnosis regarding the interplay between different aspects and dimensions of the category life. It is argued that, seeing the bigger picture in a pastoral hermeneutics of life, contributes to spiritual healing (cura vitae). The basic assumption is that cura animarum should be designed in theory formation in pastoral caregiving as follows: faith care as life care. It is, in this respect, that the Christian spiritual categories of anastrephō, peripateō and hodos can be used in practical theological reflection to describe praxis in practical theology as fides quaerens vivendi [faith seeking lifestyles]. A spirituality of lifestyles points to habitus [human soulfulness] as new modes of ‘walking with God’ and ‘living with God’ (pneumatological praxis of God). Fides quaerens viviendi should be exemplified by a taxonomy of virtues.

scholarly journals Models of disability: A brief overview

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marno Retief ◽  
Rantoa Letšosa
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Models Of Disability ◽  
Typological Approach ◽  
Disability Theology ◽  
Basic Characteristics ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
People’S Perceptions

Critical reflection on the importance of shaping disability-friendly – or disability-inclusive – congregations has enjoyed increasing attention in the field of practical theology in recent years. Moreover, the development of disability theology is a testament to the fact that practical theologians and the wider church community have taken serious notice of the realities and experiences of people with disabilities in our time. Nevertheless, even before the task of engaging in theological reflection from a disability perspective commences, it is necessary that theologians acquaint themselves with the various models of disability that shape people’s perceptions and ideas about people with disabilities. Guided by the principles of the interpretive task of practical theological investigation and cognizant of the importance of models of disability in shaping perceptions regarding people with disabilities, this article seeks to provide a brief overview of nine of the most dominant models of disability that are prevalent in our time. We shall utilise the typological approach to theoretical analysis in order to outline the basic characteristics of the various models.

A Theory of Religious Praxis in India

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-128
Author(s):  
Roy Lazar A
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Theological Method ◽  
Sitz Im Leben ◽  
International Report ◽  
Religious Praxis

AbstractThe first part of this International Report (IJPT 21.1) dealt with the theory of praxis in general, describing different approaches in pastoral care and various methods in theological reflection. It concluded with the question whether a ‘theological method’ exists that could be called specifically ‘Indian.’ Part II proceeds from this clue to explore the growth, Sitz im Leben, content and unique characteristics of Practical Theology in India.

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 Om in die Gees te begin en in eie krag te eindig – die noodsaak van ’n Skrif- gefundeerde prakties-teologiese Pneumatologie

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. W. Fritz
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Vision Of God ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
The One ◽  
Acts Of God ◽  
True Relationship

Starting in the Spirit and ending in own power – the necessity of a Scripturally founded practical-theological Pneumatology In this article one of the main problem areas of Practical Theology is addressed: In the hermeneutical interchange between theological reflection on the normative elements flowing from the revelatory presence and acts of God on the one hand, and ministering these normative elements in the concrete praxis in which man finds himself on the other hand, Practical Theology as discipline may commit the error to start in the Spirit but end in own power. In its core this problem manifests as a lack of a Pneumatology that describes and enhances the true relationship between the Spirit of God and the spirit of man. The need for a practical-theological Pneumatology that operates in the context of the covenantal relationship in which Christ fulfils the role of Mediator is argued and illustrated. The Holy Spirit leads the believer in a relation to praxis that is based on faith in Jesus Christ – seeing reality through his eyes and acting according to his mindset and power. The implications of this kind of Pneumatology are indicated for two important practical-theological aspects: firstly the ministering of reconciliation as the heart of all practical- theological activity, and secondly the key concept of perception by faith in combining vision of God with vision of what is seen and done in the concrete dimension of the praxis.

scholarly journals #MisconstruedIdentitiesMustFall collective: Identity formation in the current South African context: A practical theological perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred R. Brunsdon
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
South African ◽  
Collective Identity ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Theological Perspective ◽  
African Context ◽  
Practical Theological

In South Africa, 2015 was violently ushered out by several ‘must fall’ campaigns, of which the most prominent were the ‘fees’ and ‘Zuma must fall’ campaigns. These ‘must fall’ campaigns conveyed a new sense of urgency by the disgruntled masses towards certain institutions and individuals. Aligning with the ‘must fall’ analogy, the focus of this article is on combatting the notion of misconstrued identities in post-apartheid South Africa. Based on negative generalisation and perceptions of the ‘others’, misconstrued identities prohibit the formation of a collective identity that allows for peaceful co-existence. Consequently, the dynamics of collective identity formation and some of the possibilities for identity formation that reside within the Christian faith are investigated from a practical theological perspective. Given that a practical theological investigation takes both the context and theological reflection as points of departure, it is argued that it can contribute towards the dismantling of misconstrued identities to provide clues for the formation of a positive collective identity for South Africans.

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