Application Of My Theology To The Contextual Problem.
Introduction
As a theology scholar, I have always been engaged in variety of assignments that tend to stretch my abilities in my christian life. Over the past few years, theology has opened my mind to effective leadership and major lessons in our contemporary life. It has equipped me with advanced problem solving approaches that I will discuss later in this paper, Through my extensive learning and practice in Christian ministry , I have come to realize that the biggest problem facing believers in our contemporary world is the existence of evil and the evident undeserved suffering of humanity. It has been the theological custom to split evils into two types, natural and the moral forms of evil. The natural form of evil emanates from natural disasters that human being possesses little control over them, such as earthquakes and volcanoes. The latter is the form of evil that leads to suffering and occurs as a result of individuals deliberately making choices through their freedom to impact pain and suffering to fellow human beings. The rapidly changing socio-economic world is usually accompanied with an array of struggles of life that can be analyzed using various theological and ethical deliberations that often requires a review of our practice and perception in the discipline of theology. It is therefore worth noting that the centrality of context in my study of theology will be key in inspiring educators and ministers to analyze critically the traditional practices in the Christian ministerial activities. However, critical dimensions that seek to question the reliability and effectiveness of the current theological training and practice in the context of holistic and lifelong problem solving approaches is varied. In this paper, I will seek to reflect on to how my training in theology can be applied to the contextual problem.
The desire to find answers to as to how far theology is able to incorporate the major dimensions of formations which are: academic, spiritual, ministerial and personal remains a challenging endeavor to theology scholars. Therefore, a large number of theology learners become uncertain to the specific problems that call for their attention in our communities and lack of knowledge of the practical demands in the ministry. In order to effectively analyze the underlying contextual problem, the applicability part of theology is required. Practical theology is advocated as a prospective theological education and is integrated as a discipline that projects transformational changes in the society and the church at large. Most of the concepts that I have acquired through the study of theology such as principles of practical theology and approaches to problem solving are all essential tools for individuals in pastoral practices and church leadership in the quest to providing solutions that may be affecting our society and ultimately alleviating human suffering. Theology outlines reliable problem solving approaches that are especially vital to the Christians who may be serving in the secular world since they equip them with the necessary practical solutions that the said communities may encounter in their day to day lives.
Contextual application
In his book Introduction to theology, Owen Thomas explains practicability of theology in problem solving as “a place where our religious beliefs meets the contemporary actions, experiences, questions and conducts research that is intellectually and practically transforming” The contextual problem is therefore solved through various methods of analyzing an underlying problem as I will explain below.
- Problem-Based, action Oriented Approach
The contextual issue at hand is problem-based, therefore, by design it is action oriented. This applicability approach in the solving of the contextual problem presupposes sincerity to the basic shift in the many ways that the society perceives religion, relationships and sexuality in our globalized context. The problem Based Learning (PBL) in theology has been employed extensively in our formal religious studies so as to enable us to develop and nurture critical thinking, substantive dialogue and research in our practical ministry. In addition, since theological applicability is not only essential in our religious church life but also to the changing society and communities that it functions. Therefore the inner relationship of social reality, practice and faith should be the force that makes the church and society to flow in the same direction.
On the other hand, the contextual problem is action-oriented and therefore identifies the pertinent issues that may result into a problem, such as, openness and the dedication to learn and change. The action oriented approach analyzes the problem or the situation as it appears and consequently interprets it biblically or in theological centrality. It is only when our religious systems become committed in addressing people’s problems and questions in our ever changing society that it will be able to theologically discern and acknowledge the Almighty’s redeeming activity in the world.
- Reflective Hermeneutical Approach
In solving the problems that are facing the society, contextual sensibility is fundamental in the pursuit of seeking the meaning of the world’s convectional practices. This approach equips scholars of theology with the critical skills that are required to encourage them to evaluate the various inherited understandings that normally is supposed to guide their interpretations and actions so as to make them able transmitters of the theological teachings in the lives of people. This approach helps in solving the contextual problems since it is a model that reconciles people’s hopes in their daily lives. It is guided by the principle that, a theology that is not based on grace from Cod and from the people it is meant to serve is a theology that binds heavy burdens (Matt 23:4) and it eventually “sets a yoke of slavery”(Gal 5:1). The main embedded academic vision in the theological practical approach to solving these contemporary problems affecting our society is the interdisciplinary skills that are bestowed in the lives of Christians so as to be able to increase their deeper perception of the contextual problem rather than the accumulation of knowledge in the theology classes.
Conclusion
Overall, the main objective of theology is to make an effort of bringing our world into more harmony with God’s intentions and with the people that we share the world with. The practicality of theology should therefore not be solely confined to the context academic theories or pastoral practice but it ought to be extended to the society’s personal and spiritual needs. The entire theology has to be transformed into practical theology; this should be initiated and encouraged by the theology teaching institutions and the church as a whole. Through the interactive style of learning in practical theology, correspondence is learner based and at the same time experience-based form of learning. However, all our focus in the theology should not be directed into problem solving but also a spotlight in the theological vision and the hope for the world should be maintained. As theologians, we should consistently seek the Lord’s grace in preserving and redeeming His creation.
Bibliography
Ammerman, Nancy T., Jackson W. Carroll, Carl S. Dudley, and William McKinney, eds. Studying Congregations: A New Handbook. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998.
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Thomas, Owen C., and Ellen K. Wondra. 2002. Introduction to theology. Harrisburg, Pa:
Morehouse.
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