Timelessness, Dementia and the Appeal to Practice: A Response to Swinton’s Rejoinder

In this article, Wilko van Holten and Martin Walton continue the exchange with John Swinton regarding the understanding and usefulness of the “timelessness of God” (Swinton, 2016) in the context of dementia (see HSCC 8(1), “A Critical Appraisal of John Swinton’s Theology of Time and Memory” by van Holten and Walton, 2020, and “A Rejoinder to van Holten and Walton” by Swinton, 2020a). Both van Holten and Walton argue that Swinton’s restatement of God’s eternal presence in terms of unchangeableness comes with a serious theological price, namely, a static image of the divine. Swinton’s refusal to pay this price points to a tension in his thinking on this point. The authors adduce some empirical evidence to substantiate the claim that a timeless and immutable God is psycho-spiritually less appropriate in the context of pastoral care. For van Holten and Walton, their major concern is not with the intentions or conclusions at which Swinton arrives, but with the way in which he argues for those conclusions and expresses these intentions. In this exchange, practical and philosophical theology meet, and the authors explore some of the questions which are raised. These questions ultimately are concerned with theological method. A response to this article by Swinton will also be published in this issue of HSCC (see Swinton, 2022).

“It’s Real, It’s Much More Real”: An Exploration of Values Based Reflective Practice ® as a Reflective Tool

Values Based Reflective Practice (VBRP®) is a group reflection framework widely utilized within healthcare settings across Scotland, where groups of colleagues meet and discuss their workplace-based experiences using the VBRP® structure. The VBRP® model has previously been noted within HSCC as assisting “courageous conversations” about working in a caring vocation (Bunniss, 2021a, 2021b). Despite its national platform, however, there has been limited evaluation of VBRP®. Aim: This study explores the impact of VBRP® as a reflective tool among undergraduate medical students. Method: A qualitative action research methodology was used. Results: Three themes were identified from the data: overcoming barriers to reflection during VBRP®; enhancing reflection through the social nature of VBRP®; participants’ perceptions of reflection through the lens of VBRP®. Conclusion: VBRP® enabled deeper, more authentic reflection and enhanced written reflection abilities due to its social nature. It promoted the formation of peer support networks and positive coping mechanisms among medical students. Teamworking and group relationships were also improved.

The Dynamics of Spiritual Care Among Swedish Hospital Chaplains: Approaching the Future in the Present

This article presents a pilot study on pastors and deacons serving as hospital chaplains who provide spiritual care within a large urban hospital in Sweden. This descriptive study presents a unique contextual insight into Swedish hospital chaplains’ experiences. The purpose of this article, through the analysis of semi-structured interview material, is to describe hospital chaplains’ ability to meet medical staff and patients’ expectations. The results of the analysis are presented under three headings: chaplains in secularized spaces; chaplains filling in gaps; and cultural diversity. This will hopefully promote a conversation about the developing role of Swedish hospital chaplains in times of societal change. More research is encouraged to better detail the topic of the developing role through voices of hospital chaplains from other faith communities.