Friday, March 15, 2013

Practical Theology?

I had a spark, maybe.  I think most practical theologies are oriented in ways like "theology of leadership."  That's theology oriented around the practice of ministry.

But has anyone ever done a practical theology, that was practice oriented around theology, and not just practice of ministry but Christian living in general?

So what if someone were to go through the great topics of systematic theology--God, creation, sin, redemption, etc--with a view to Christian living and practice?  So Christians believe God is omnipotent?  Fine. But what does it have to do with Christian practice?

Just an idea...

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like this idea. I have tried to think of the idea of why God is God and how the omnipotence and omniscience of Him does affect us daily in our spiritual walk or even in just a simple conversation.

Angie Van De Merwe said...

An idea that might seem presumptuous to some....those that don't have "faith in faith", as without "faith" it is impossible to "see" God! But, since "faith is the gift of God" and God is omniscient and omnipotent, then, how should Christians live toward those without faith? Should they force feed "God's Word" to those that have no belief, thinking that it might help them have "faith"? Should Christians force others to choose what they believe to be scriptural, when not everyone in our society believes the same way they do about scripture? Aren't those questions practical theological questions? The question we might disagree on is what political action is necessary and what is unnecessary in promoting peace and prosperity in society...and that has to do with political philosophy, not theology!

Angie Van De Merwe said...

If you assume that the incarnation as in Scripture is the epitome of "Christian ministry", then, you leave no room for any choice or difference of opinion about political philosophy/action. There are many moral models besides "Jesus", so incarnation means individuality as to a person's "self expression" of "God". Otherwise, humans are only mimicking "God" (imitation of Christ/pseudo-persona), and not created to be "as Gods"(truth in the inward parts/truth to oneself).

I think learning about oneself is not understood fully through scripture, but the social sciences.

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Perhaps, not only the social sciences, but also the biological sciences might add to our understanding of Man...http://secularright.org/SR/wordpress/those-who-can-not-see-god/

Robert Brenchley said...

The Urban Theology Unit in Sheffield has aleways been very much into practical theology, but as far as I know it's never been tied into systematic theology at all.

http://www.utusheffield.org.uk/

Glen Robinson said...

Would biblical "nouthetic" counseling fit into this, which takes Scripture/theology and applies it to an individual's circumstances/trials/temptations/sin, etc?