Philip Culbertson
Encyclopedia
Philip Leroy Culbertson, BMus, MDiv, PhD (born 1944) is a scholar in Practical Theology
. He was a lecturer at the University of Auckland School of Theology
and was Director of Pastoral Studies at St John's Theological College until his retirement in 2007. Before this he taught at the School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, TN, from 1985 to 1992. He is an ordained priest of the Episcopalian
tradition. He is also a psychotherapist in private practice and has taught at two training institutes in Auckland
, New Zealand
. He is well published in the fields of Pastoral ministry, counselling, gender and spirituality (particularly in relation to some of the Old Testament), and Jewish/Christian dialogue.
In 2004 Culbertson was interviewed by Sunday, a current affairs show broadcast in New Zealand, regarding his opinion of the controversial Destiny Church
led by Bishop Brian Tamaki
in which among other things he stated, "As far as I can tell it's a cult
".
Practical theology
Practical theology is the practical application of theology to everyday life. Richard Osmer explains that the four key questions and tasks in practical theology are:# What is going on? # Why is this going on?...
. He was a lecturer at the University of Auckland School of Theology
University of Auckland School of Theology
The School of Theology at the University of Auckland is an ecumenical provider of theological education working in partnership with a number of Colleges of Theology as a result of a Memorandum of Agreement. These include the Catholic Institute of Theology, St John's College and Trinity Methodist...
and was Director of Pastoral Studies at St John's Theological College until his retirement in 2007. Before this he taught at the School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, TN, from 1985 to 1992. He is an ordained priest of the Episcopalian
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
tradition. He is also a psychotherapist in private practice and has taught at two training institutes in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He is well published in the fields of Pastoral ministry, counselling, gender and spirituality (particularly in relation to some of the Old Testament), and Jewish/Christian dialogue.
In 2004 Culbertson was interviewed by Sunday, a current affairs show broadcast in New Zealand, regarding his opinion of the controversial Destiny Church
Destiny Church
Destiny Church may refer to:*Destiny Church Groningen, a network of churches based in the Netherlands and South America*Destiny Church , a network of churches based in New Zealand...
led by Bishop Brian Tamaki
Brian Tamaki
Brian Raymond Tamaki heads Destiny Church, a Pentecostal Christian organisation in New Zealand which advocates strict adherence to fundamentalist biblical morality, and is notable for its position against homosexuality, its patriarchal views and for its calls for a return to biblical conservative...
in which among other things he stated, "As far as I can tell it's a cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
".