Hermeneutics And Empirical Research In Practical Theology

Hermeneutics And Empirical Research In Practical Theology

Author: C. A. Chris A. M. Hermans

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 417

ISBN-13: 9004142088

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The contributors of this volume reflect on the writings of Hans van der Ven on the foundations of practical theology, the empirical paradigm within practical theology, and specific subdisciplines within practical theology, especially religious education, moral education, church development and ministry.


Practical Theology

Practical Theology

Author: J. A. van der Ven

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789042905672

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The fundamental task of western theology is to provide an answer to the question how the major themes of christian faith can be made more relevant to present and future generations. One of the most important problems is whether modern theology can adequately connect to the daily life of people and groups. Until now, it has failed to provide systematic and methodical answers to empirical questions and to incorporate these answers in theological thought. For instance, when and how do modern people have religious experiences, which religious attitudes have an impact on their individual and social life, how do they participate in the life of the church community, and how does the relation between church and society take shape in ordinary life ? It is important not to leave the research on these issues to the social sciences alone, but try to formulate, analyse and answer these questions ourselves from a distinctive theological point of view. This standard work contains a fundamental epistemological and methodological theory of empirical theology. On the basis of empirical methodology and with the help of empirical tools, a theological theory is developed. On this theory, many methodological-technical insights and statistical instructions are based.


Empirical Theology in Texts and Tables

Empirical Theology in Texts and Tables

Author: Leslie J. Francis

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 425

ISBN-13: 9004168885

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Empirical theology offers fresh and stimulating insights into the concerns of both the Church and the Academy. It does this by accessing relevant empirical evidence using the tools of the social sciences, and placing this evidence in the context of theological critique and contemporary debate. In this pioneering collection of focused essays, leading experts of empirical theology illustrate key perspectives within this rapidly expanding discipline. The first section of the book explores theoretical issues underpinning the main methods of obtaining empirical data, and the use of these data within theology. The other two sections display the role both of qualitative studies, and of the analysis of quantitative data, in exploring a range of theological beliefs and religious, social and educational concerns.


Lived Religion - Conceptual, Empirical and Practical-Theological Approaches

Lived Religion - Conceptual, Empirical and Practical-Theological Approaches

Author: Heinz Streib

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2008-03-31

Total Pages: 418

ISBN-13: 9047432282

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'Lived religion' signifies a shift of focus in order to attend to the religiosity of individuals and groups as embedded in the contexts of life-worlds. It suggests fresh attention to the body, to perception, to experience, to everyday life, and to biography. The essays in this collection gravitate around the concept of ‘lived religion’, honoring the contributions of Hans-Günter Heimbrock, in which he suggests this conceptual framework for understanding practical theology and religious education and for designing empirical research in theology. The contributions embrace a broad spectrum and include empirical studies, exegetical and historical investigations, contributions on practical theology as well as on the theory and practice of religious education, inviting further reflection and discussion about ‘lived religion.’


Evangelicals Engaging in Practical Theology

Evangelicals Engaging in Practical Theology

Author: Helen Morris

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2022-03-30

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1000546691

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This book aims to introduce a distinctively evangelical voice to the discipline of practical theology. Evangelicals have sometimes seen practical theology as primarily a ‘liberal’ project. This collection, however, actively engages with practical theology from an evangelical perspective, both through discussion of the substantive issues and by providing examples of practical theology done by evangelicals in the classroom, the church, and beyond. This volume brings together established and emerging voices to debate the growing role which practical theology is playing in evangelical and Pentecostal circles. Chapters begin by addressing methodological concerns, before moving into areas of practice. Additionally, there are four short papers from students who make use of practical theology to reflect upon their own practice. Issues of authority and normativity are tackled head on in a way that will inform the debate both within and beyond evangelicalism. This book will, therefore, be of keen interest to scholars of practical, evangelical, and Pentecostal theology.


Congregational Hermeneutics

Congregational Hermeneutics

Author: Andrew P. Rogers

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-05-20

Total Pages: 323

ISBN-13: 1134795157

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Despite many churches claiming that the Bible is highly significant for their doctrine and practice, questions about how we read the Bible are rarely made explicit. Based on ethnographic research in English churches, Congregational Hermeneutics explores this dissonance and moves beyond descriptions to propose ways of enriching hermeneutical practices in congregations. Characterised as hermeneutical apprenticeship, this is not just a matter of learning certain skills, but of cultivating hermeneutical virtues such as faithfulness, community, humility, confidence and courage. These virtues are given substance through looking at four broad themes that emerge from the analysis of congregational hermeneutics - tradition, practices, epistemology and mediation. Concluding with what hermeneutical apprenticeship might look like in practice, this book is constructively theological about what churches actually do with the Bible, and will be of interest to scholars, students and practitioners.


The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research

The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research

Author: Pete Ward

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2022-07-12

Total Pages: 564

ISBN-13: 1119756936

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A unique introduction to the developing field of Theology and Qualitative Research In recent years, a growing number of scholars within the field of theological research have adopted qualitative empirical methods. The use of qualitative research is shaping the nature of theology and redefining what it means to be a theologian. Hence, contemporary scholars who are undertaking empirical fieldwork across a range of theological subdisciplines require authoritative guidance and well-developed frameworks of practice and theory. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research outlines the challenges and possibilities for theological research that engages with qualitative methods. It reflects more than 15 years of academic research within the Ecclesiology and Ethnography Network, and features an international group of scholars committed to the empirical and theological study of the Christian church. Edited by world-renowned experts, this unprecedented volume addresses the theological debates, methodological complexities, and future directions of this emerging field. Contributions from both established and emerging scholars describe key theoretical approaches, discuss how different empirical methods are used within theology, explore the links between qualitative researchand adjacent scholarly traditions, and more. The companion: Discusses how qualitative empirical work changes the practice of theology, enabling a disciplined attention to the lived social realities of Christian religion and what theologians do Introduces theoretical and methodological debates in the field, as well as central epistemological and ontological questions Presents different approaches to Theology and Qualitative research, highlighting important issues and developments in the last decades Explores how empirical insights are shaping areas such as liturgics, homiletics, youth ministry, and Christian education Includes perspectives from scholars working in disciplines other than theology The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research is essential reading for graduate students, postgraduates, PhD students, researchers, and scholars in Christian Ethics, Systematic Theology, Practical Theology, Contemporary Worship, and related disciplines such as Ecclesiology, Mission Studies, World Christianity, Pastoral Theology, Political Theology, Worship Studies, and all forms of contextual theology.


Exploring Ordinary Theology

Exploring Ordinary Theology

Author: Leslie J. Francis

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-04-15

Total Pages: 255

ISBN-13: 131713723X

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'Ordinary theology' characterizes the reflective God-talk of the great majority of churchgoers, and others who remain largely untouched by the assumptions, concepts and arguments that academic theology takes for granted. Jeff Astley coined the phrase in his innovative study, Ordinary Theology: Looking, Listening and Learning in Theology, arguing that 'speaking statistically ordinary theology is the theology of God's Church'. A number of scholars have responded to this and related conceptualizations, exploring their theological implications. Other researchers have adopted the perspective in examining a range of Church practices and contexts of Christian discipleship, using the tools of empirical study. Ordinary theology research has proved to be key in uncovering people's everyday lay theology or ordinary dogmatics. Exploring Ordinary Theology presents fresh contributions from a wide range of authors, who address the theological, empirical and practical dimensions of this central feature of ordinary Christian existence and the life of the Church.


Theology between Church, University and Society

Theology between Church, University and Society

Author: N.F.M. Schreurs

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2021-11-22

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 9004494456

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STAR - Studies in Theology and Religion 6 Theology between Church, University, and Society includes contributions to the international NOSTER conference “Theology between Church, University and Society,” held in the Netherlands in June 2000. In the current academic world theologians are often suspected of confessionalism, bias and narrow-mindedness. They in turn try to regain respect by producing specialist historical, empirical and analytical studies that are in line with other academic research. This retreat into neutrality renders them suspect in the eyes of their religious communities. Some churches react by reformulating their appointment policies, and become more strict in order to secure the full loyalty of the theological staff of their institutions. Therefore, many theologians feel a conflict between loyalty to their tradition and loyalty to the academic world. Student populations have also changed considerably during the last few decades. Quite a number of students have a lively interest in religion but no religious affiliation at all. University teachers have to adapt to these new audiences and faculties need to reorient themselves to reestablish their goals. This volume is concerned with these three challenges: academic, religious and societal. In all of the contributions the tension between descriptive research and normative theses or the relation between theology and society at large is discussed. Not only are there descriptions of the structures of theological institutions in the Netherlands, the USA, and South Africa but also of the relations between churches and theological institutions, and Vatican policy regarding theological faculties.