Teologia pastoral como teologia pública

The article defends the importance of Pastoral Theology as Public Theology. The goals of Pastoral Theology need to overcome the individual boundaries, establishing interdependence between personal health and social improvement. Considering the relationship between Church and State and dialoguing with various theological schools, the article analyzes the directions taken by Pastoral Theology in the last two decades in the USA, questioning about contents, methods and reconseptualizations of the discipline. It points to some specific implications so that the practice of care and counseling and the education of its professionals gain the recognition and relevance of Public Theology.O artigo defende a importância da Teologia Pastoral como Teologia Pública. Os objetivos da Teologia Pastoral precisam ultrapassar as fronteiras individuais, estabelecendointerdependência da saúde pessoal com o melhoramento social. Considerando a relação entre Igreja e Estado e dialogando com várias escolas teológicas, o artigo analisa os rumos da Teologia Pastoral nas últimas duas décadas nos EUA, perguntando por conteúdos, métodos e reconceituações da disciplina. Aponta para algumas implicações específicas de forma que a prática dos cuidados pastorais e aconselhamento e a formação de seus profissionais alcancem reconhecimento e relevância de Teologia Pública

Cinco mal-entendidos sobre a Teologia Prática

Tomando emprestado um formato usado pelo sociólogo Bent Flyvbjerg em um ensaio sobre estudos de caso, este artigo examina cinco mal-entendidos comuns na história e no desenvolvimento da pesquisa na teologia prática: (1) a teologia prática é uma disciplina marginalizada com uma grave crise de identidade; (2) o problema com a teologia prática e a educação teológica é o paradigma clerical; (3) teologia prática e teologia pastoral são termos intercambiáveis; (4) é impossível defi nir a teologia prática ou, inversamente, ela pode ser definida de maneira simples (p. ex., estudo do relacionamento entre crenças e práticas);e (5) a teologia prática é, em grande parte, se não inteiramente, descritiva, empírica, interpretativa e não é normativa, teológica e, em alguns casos (eu ousaria dizer), cristã. Descrevo cada mal-entendido, ofereço corretivos e concluo que três décadas de progresso na área e desdobramentos complementares em outras áreas da academia reafi rmam antigas intuições na teologia prática sobre a necessidade de formas alternativas de conhecimento teológico e de trabalho adicional na disciplina

The theory–practice distinction and the complexity of practical knowledge

Over the past few decades, theologians have recognised the value of practice but have been optimistic about the ease with which practice is incorporated into theology. People use all sorts of adjectives to characterise the complex relationship – ‘integrally related’, a ‘deeper reciprocity’, ‘bound up in thickly intertwined ways’ – but connecting the two is not as easy as these words suggest. This article returns to the age-old question about the relationship between theory and practice. But it studies this question from the angle of practice. Although many scholars have analysed the distinction between theory and practice as it functions conceptually, few have examined challenges in relating the two as they emerge in practice. The article argues that there is an inevitable distinction between theory and practice that receives considerably less attention and needs more understanding and even respect. It also argues that the discipline of practical theology adds a distinctive angle on this discussion because it considers how the concepts function practically.Prof. Dr Miller-McLemore is participating in the research project ‘Gender Studies and Practical Theology Theory Formation’, directed by Prof. Dr Yolanda Dreyer, Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria.http://www.hts.org.zaam2016Practical Theolog

The theory–practice distinction and the complexity of practical knowledge

Over the past few decades, theologians have recognised the value of practice but have been optimistic about the ease with which practice is incorporated into theology. People use all sorts of adjectives to characterise the complex relationship – ‘integrally related’, a ‘deeper reciprocity’, ‘bound up in thickly intertwined ways’ – but connecting the two is not as easy as these words suggest. This article returns to the age-old question about the relationship between theory and practice. But it studies this question from the angle of practice. Although many scholars have analysed the distinction between theory and practice as it functions conceptually, few have examined challenges in relating the two as they emerge in practice. The article argues that there is an inevitable distinction between theory and practice that receives considerably less attention and needs more understanding and even respect. It also argues that the discipline of practical theology adds a distinctive angle on this discussion because it considers how the concepts function practically

‘A tale of two cities’ : the evolution of the International Academy of Practical Theology

This essay appraises the history of the International Academy of Practical Theology (IAPT), arguing that competing aims have pulled it in different directions. The essay arose initially out of a roundtable on IAPT at an international congress in São Leopoldo, Brazil, in preparation for the next biennial conference there in 2019. Why is there a need for the IAPT? What are some of its developments? Why is it important for South America and Brazil? In response, the essay suggests that the IAPT has struggled to sustain at least two prominent commitments – a desire to enhance practical theology’s scholarly visibility and acumen and a real need to become a genuinely international organisation in terms of representation and inclusion. A secondary argument woven through the essay is that collegial friendships across complicated differences of location and perspective have the capacity to moderate and even heal conflicts.Prof. Dr Miller-McLemore is participating in the research project, ‘Gender Studies and Practical Theology Theory Formation’, directed by Prof. Dr Yolanda Dreyer, Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria.http://www.hts.org.zaam2017Practical Theolog

‘A tale of two cities’: The evolution of the International Academy of Practical Theology

This essay appraises the history of the International Academy of Practical Theology (IAPT), arguing that competing aims have pulled it in different directions. The essay arose initially out of a roundtable on IAPT at an international congress in São Leopoldo, Brazil, in preparation for the next biennial conference there in 2019. Why is there a need for the IAPT? What are some of its developments? Why is it important for South America and Brazil? In response, the essay suggests that the IAPT has struggled to sustain at least two prominent commitments – a desire to enhance practical theology’s scholarly visibility and acumen and a real need to become a genuinely international organisation in terms of representation and inclusion. A secondary argument woven through the essay is that collegial friendships across complicated differences of location and perspective have the capacity to moderate and even heal conflicts

Teologia prática e pedagogia: incorporando o know-how teológico

In the revival of practical theology in the past few decades, little attention has been given to pedagogy. Rarely have scholars asked how those in the field actually teach—qua practical theologians — even though faculty in practical areas have begun to teach in new and valuable ways. This essay explores patterns in practical theological pedagogy in practical subdisciplines and their implications not only for the definition of the field but also for other areas of theological study. It argues that pedagogy in practical theology makes visible some of the core commitments of the discipline as a whole. Moreover, it contends that practical theologians have expertise in a particular kind of knowledge of crucial importance for ministry and Christian living, a practical wisdom the author calls “know-how.”No renovado interesse pela teologia prática nas últimas décadas, pouca atenção foi dada à pedagogia. Raramente foi estudado como de fato ensinam aqueles que trabalham nessa área – enquanto teólogos práticos – apesar dos novos e louváveis métodos de ensino que estão começando a ser adotados por professores das áreas práticas. Este artigo explora padrões pedagógicos da teologia prática nas subdisciplinas práticas e suas implicações, não somente para a definição do campo como também para outras áreas de estudos teológicos. O artigo sustenta que a pedagogia na teologia prática manifesta, de forma visível, alguns dos compromissos fundamentais da disciplina como um todo. Além disso, o artigo afirma que teólogos práticos são especialistas em uma área específica de conhecimento de importância crucial para o ministério e a vida cristã, uma sabedoria prática que a autora denomina “know-how”

The Wiley Blackwell companion to practical theology

West Sussexxiv, 618 p.: bibl., index; 20 c