scholarly journals 'I am who I am': Deconstructing orphaned boys' references to God: An application of the post-foundational notion of practical theology

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Father Absence ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Public Language ◽  
Experience Of God ◽  
Presence Of God ◽  
Pastoral Therapy

This article investigates and reflects on the religious and spiritual aspects inherent in the narratives of adolescent male orphans, affected by HIV and AIDS, poverty and fatherlessness, and more specifically on aspects which tell us about how these boys understand and experience the presence of God within their specific situations. In coming to such an understanding, this article focuses specifically on the various names attributed to God by the coresearchers and investigates the prominence through social construction behind these names and how it influences the coresearchers� experience of God amidst their unique circumstances. With the use of the perspectives of a post-foundational notion of practical theology and narrative therapy and research, these names and their accompanied significance are deconstructed. The aim of the deconstruction process is to unveil dominant discourses that both inform the use of specific references to God and assist the coresearchers in finding meaning in the use of these names. The larger study employed research methods from the qualitative and case study research design, and included interdisciplinary work based on the post-foundational notion of transversality. Disciplines included in the dialogue were pastoral therapy, critical psychology and social work. This article�s reflections can be useful in all the above-mentioned disciplines and gives insight into understanding the significance behind the phenomenon of naming a deity in one�s personal and public language, and the influence such spiritual affirmations have in the psychosocial sphere of the holistic persona.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The larger study (from which this article originates) is an interdisciplinary study, as to conform to the principles of a postfoundational notion of practical theology and as such supports the assumptions underlying this theoretical framework.Keywords: Names for God; Postfoundationalism; Practical Theology; Co-Researchers; HIV and Aids; Poverty; Father Absence

scholarly journals Deconstructing masculinity: Dominant discourses on gender, sexuality and HIV and AIDS from the experience of the adolescent male orphan

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Research Design ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Theological Study ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
Dominant Narratives

As a postfoundational practical theological study, this article is interested in the description of the co-researchers’ experiences, as these are continually informed by various traditions of interpretations. It listens to and describes the current narratives of three co-researchers and deconstructs these narratives by looking at various concepts of masculinity and sexuality. It looks specifically at how these concepts are created and maintained through various socio-cultural dominant narratives related to gender, sexuality, and HIV and AIDS, and how these dominant narratives influence the creation of self- and alternative narratives of the co-researchers. This article employs research methods from the qualitative and case study research design and works from the theoretical viewpoints of a postfoundational practical theology and narrative therapy.

scholarly journals The use of metaphors in Narrative Research in exploring and describing experiences of adolescent male orphans affected by HIV and AIDS

2011 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita Loubser ◽  
Julian C. Müller
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Primary Study ◽  
Father Figure ◽  
Relationship With God ◽  
Future Narratives

This article relates to the primary study which aimed at addressing uncertainties about the type and nature of the relationship between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and adolescent male orphans affected by this disease and all its aspects, such as poverty, exposure to crime and stigmatisation, and the lack of parental figures – more specifically, the absence of the father figure. Subsequently, this study aimed at dissecting the orphan’s life experiences in the midst of HIV and AIDS and explored ways in which these experiences influence his sexual and power relations with women and his role as future father and husband in the absence of a father figure (or male role model). Moreover, the researcher explored ways in which these past and future narratives influence or affect the male orphan’s view of and relationship with God, or whether it is rather this view of and relationship with God that influence and affect his relationship with his past narrative and writing of his future narratives. Research methods from the qualitative and case study research design and, more specifically, from postfoundational practical theology and narrative therapy, were employed in exploring the above issues. With the use of the metaphor of Tree of Life and the David narrative, the researcher journeyed with the co-researchers in the construction of a preferred alternative narrative, which in turn functions as a guiding metaphor for aspiring to the future and living their lives in a preferred and satisfying manner. Therefore this article explains the use of these metaphors during the seven movements of Postfoundational Practical Theology and shows how these metaphors succeeded in assisting the co-researchers with externalising aspects of their problem-saturated narratives, identifying unique outcomes amidst these narratives, and developing alternative narratives that serve as a vehicle for change and creating hope amidst a context of seeming despair.

scholarly journals An interdisciplinary investigation into the narratives of three co-researchers: A postfoundational notion of practical theology

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Social Constructionism ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
Formed Part ◽  
Key Aspects

This article elaborates on the sixth movement of a postfoundational notion of practical theology and is concerned with giving a description of experiences, which are thickened through interdisciplinary investigation. The experiences of interest are those of the co-researchers who formed part of the larger research study, conducted in 2010, and who were at the time adolescent male orphans, affected by HIV and AIDS, poverty and father abandonment. The research was conducted within the theoretical frameworks of a postfoundational notion of practical theology, narrative therapy and research, and social constructionism. A qualitative research strategy was employed, with the case study design as point of departure in collecting and analysing research data. Various key aspects were investigated with the use of the model of narrative and the seven movements of a postfoundational notion of practical theology. The aim of this article is to provide an illustration of the application of the principles of a postfoundational notion of practical theology, and its sixth movement – an interdisciplinary investigation – as it is applied within this specific research context. Four interdisciplinary conversationalists, each from a different academic field, were invited to reflect on the three narrated stories of the co-researchers. This article, then, gives a report on their feedback and the value of interdisciplinary investigation in aiding, with the understanding of the meaningmaking process behind collected narratives.

scholarly journals Adolescent male orphans affected by HIV and AIDS, poverty and fatherlessness: A story of marginalisation?

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Alternative Future ◽  
Future Narratives ◽  
Point Of Departure

This article explores the experiences of fatherless adolescent males affected by HIV, AIDS and poverty, in order to investigate how these experiences influence the creation of their alternative, future narratives and if these experiences result in narratives that speak of marginalisation or instead, will speak of survival. Research methods from the qualitative case study research design are employed. The theoretical point of departure is a postfoundational practical theology and narrative therapy. The specific focus is on issues of marginalisation and to listen to the narratives within their contexts. The article explores and deconstructs the dominant discourses engrained within the larger socio-economic and cultural context and questions whether these narratives should be viewed as a story of marginalisation. The article concludes that it is not a story of marginalisation, but rather a story of survival, a story of hope.

scholarly journals Development of alternative interpretations: The story of an orphaned boy affected by HIV and AIDS and father abandonment

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Father Figure ◽  
Relationship With God ◽  
Parental Figures ◽  
Future Narratives ◽  
Father Abandonment

This article elaborated specifically on the research journey in arriving at the development of an alternative narrative, which points beyond the local community, with reference to a broader study which aimed at addressing uncertainties about the type and nature of the relationship between HIV and AIDS and adolescent male orphans affected by this disease and all its aspects, such as poverty, exposure to crime and stigmatisation and lack in parental figures, more specifically the lack of the father figure. Subsequently, this study aimed at dissecting the orphan�s life experiences in the midst of HIV and AIDS and how these experiences will influence his sexual and power relations with women and his role as future father and husband, in the absence of a father figure. The researcher wanted to explore ways in which these past and future narratives influence or affect the male orphan�s view of and relationship with God and assess whether it is it just this view of and relationship with God that influence and affect his relationship with his past narrative and writing of his future narratives. This article described and explained the research process as it utilised the epistemological viewpoints of a postfoundational notion of practical theology and the methodological tools of the seven movements of a postfoundational practical theology. With the use of the metaphor of Tree of Life and the David narrative, the researcher journeyed with the co-researchers (i.e. the children who took part in this research) in the construction of a preferred alternative narrative, which, in turn, functions as a guiding metaphor, for aspiring to the future and living their lives in a preferred and satisfying manner. This article concluded with an alternative narrative as developed by one of the co-researchers, as an example of how these theoretical viewpoints can be used in praxis in developing alternative narratives which frees the persons from the constraints of a problem-saturated narrative, with special reference and acknowledgement to Professor Julian M�ller, who introduced the researcher to the world of possibilities.

scholarly journals “Is it because I’m gormless?” A commentary on “Narrative therapy in a learning disability context: a review”

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Narrative Approaches ◽  
Research Reporting ◽  
Future Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reflect on “Narrative therapy in a learning disability context: a review”. Design/methodology/approach – This commentary reflects on the use of Narrative therapy and considers it in the wider context of assisting people with learning disabilities to develop self-understanding. The commentary makes connections between the use of Narrative therapy and narrative approaches to research reporting. Findings – The use of Narrative therapy can assist in the development of positive personal stories for individuals with learning disabilities. Case study research provides a useful reference point from which to develop future work. Reporting of case studies sometimes omits data that might be useful for others attempting to replicate findings. Originality/value – This paper highlights the need for authors to ensure that the “small details” are included in research reporting. A narrative approach, rich in detail of research participants might enable authors to tell a “thicker” story, thus improving generalisability.

What Should HIV/AIDS be Called in Malawi?

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adamson S Muula
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
International Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Medical Wards ◽  
Retrospective Case Study ◽  
Hiv Aids

HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the southern African country of Malawi. At the largest referral health facility in Blantyre, the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, the majority of patients hospitalized in medical wards and up to a third of those in the maternity unit are infected with HIV. Many patients in the surgical wards also have HIV/AIDS. Health professionals in Blantyre, however, often choose not to write down the diagnosis of HIV or AIDS; rather, they prefer to use ‘SGOT’, ‘ELISA’ and ‘spot test’ to represent the HIV test, while ‘immunosuppression’, ‘↓ CD4 disease’ and ‘ARC’ are preferred instead of ‘AIDS’. It is possible that health professionals’ belief that mentioning HIV and/or AIDS will harm patients is encouraging them to use these euphemisms. The use of less than exact terms to label HIV and AIDS may not be without cost. For instance, future attempts to conduct retrospective case study research may be hampered by this practice, which is not in accordance with the international classification of diseases. It is suggested that, although stigmatization and discrimination could be important driving factors in the use of cryptic language, it may be more worthy to fight discrimination and stigmatization head-on, rather than create avenues where these reactions may be perpetuated.

scholarly journals The Fleeting Moment: The Sacramental Universe of Music, from the Aesthetic Form to the Empathetic Event

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordi-Agustí Piqué i Collado
Keyword(s):  
Men And Women ◽  
Experience Of God ◽  
Presence Of God ◽  
Aesthetic Form ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Nowadays, the drama of the incommunicability of the experience of God is perhaps one of the greatest problems that theology must face if it wants to establish a sincere dialogue with contemporary thought. A visit to contemporary theological art, and concretely to music, is an exercise that should be taken into consideration when one wishes to offer a word about God to our world and to men and women of these days. Through this article author wants underline that the relationship between theology and music could reveal itself as a way to discover the mysterious-symbolic presence of God which reveals itself.

Prayer and Practical Theology

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-303
Author(s):  
Andre van Oudtshoorn
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Presence Of God ◽  
The World ◽  
In Christ ◽  
Existential Dimension ◽  
The Church

Abstract The command to pray invites believers to critically engage with their broken reality with a view of transforming it in the light of the new reality in which they participate in Christ. Practical theology, operating in the context of the bi-polar and tense relationship between theory and praxis, should be expanded to accommodate prayer as the inner mode of its operations to embrace the existential dimension of the faith praxis, instead of simply limiting itself to a socio-scientific empirically based descriptive paradigm. This implies that practical theology has to be embedded within the church as the domain of faith. Prayer, understood within the context of practical theology, offers a critique of theological theories that do not adequately address the implications for God, the world and believers inherent in the new anthropological status that the invitation to pray confers on those who pray. Prayer also critiques the existing praxis in three ways: it is, firstly, a transformational act in itself; it, secondly, acknowledges its own inadequacy to accomplish the needed transformation and is thus able to critique its own methodologies and practices; and, thirdly, it continues to hope for the transformation of the existing praxis based on the promise of the presence of God in and through the Spirit of Christ in the church. In looking beyond the existing praxis to God, believers are called to continually work and pray for signs of the coming Kingdom to be realised within their world.

scholarly journals Troos as unieke uitkoms in ‘n pastoraal-narratiewe benadering tot rousmart

2009 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred R. Brunsdon
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Grief Process ◽  
Pastoral Counselling ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Unique Outcome ◽  
Death And Loss

Consolation as a unique outcome within a pastoral-narrative approach to griefThe pastoral counselling of those who grieve poses new challenges to pastoral care. Because of the shift away from a modernist paradigm, the grief process is now seen as an open-ended process, rather than a closed process that focuses on the mastering of the so-called tasks of mourning, and the avoidance of grief pathology. Recent grief theory suggests that the grief process cannot reach a point of closure. Grief counselling should therefore rather embark on a process of generating new meaning to the problem-saturated discourses surrounding death and loss. Narrative therapy is suggested as a means of grief counselling, as it makes use of the story analogy, which supports the notion of an open end to the grief process. In this study, the narrative is explored within the framework of Practical Theology. Both the master story of God and the grief-saturated stories of people are combined in a pastoral approach that envisages consolation as the unique outcome of the therapeutic process. Consolation is regarded as one of the secondary narratives in the greater narrative of God, as well as in the reformed theological vocabulary. It is suggested that a pastoralnarrative approach to grief will generate the consolation needed by the grief-stricken on their lifelong journey of coming to terms with their loss.

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