Practical theology
Encyclopedia
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:
Practical theology consists of several related sub-fields: applied theology (such as missions, evangelism, pastoral psychology or the psychology of religion), church growth, administration, homiletics
, spiritual formation, pastoral theology
, spiritual direction, spiritual theology, political theology
, theology of justice and peace and similar areas. It also includes advocacy theology, such as the various theologies of liberation
(of the oppressed in general, of the disenfranchised, of women, of immigrants, of children, and black theology). Practical theology may also include branches such as the theology of relational care
, which describes Christians caring for others as Christ cared for the poor. Christian Boyd also writes about a new perspective of practical theology called "convergent practical theology" which has emerged out of the combined studies and practice of missiology
with organizational development since the publication of "Missional Church" by Darrell Guder
et al.
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
to everyday life. Richard Osmer explains that the four key questions and tasks in practical theology are:
- What is going on? (descriptive-empirical task)
- Why is this going on? (interpretative task)
- What ought to be going on? (normative task)
- How might we respond? (pragmatic task)
Practical theology consists of several related sub-fields: applied theology (such as missions, evangelism, pastoral psychology or the psychology of religion), church growth, administration, homiletics
Homiletics
Homiletics , in theology the application of the general principles of rhetoric to the specific department of public preaching. The one who practices or studies homiletics is called a homilist....
, spiritual formation, pastoral theology
Pastoral theology
Pastoral theology is the branch of practical theology concerned with the application of the study of religion in the context of regular church ministry. This approach to theology seeks to give practical expression to theology...
, spiritual direction, spiritual theology, political theology
Political theology
Political theology or public theology is a branch of both political philosophy and practical theology that investigates the ways in which theological concepts or ways of thinking underlie political, social, economic and cultural discourses....
, theology of justice and peace and similar areas. It also includes advocacy theology, such as the various theologies of liberation
Liberation theology
Liberation theology is a Christian movement in political theology which interprets the teachings of Jesus Christ in terms of a liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions...
(of the oppressed in general, of the disenfranchised, of women, of immigrants, of children, and black theology). Practical theology may also include branches such as the theology of relational care
Theology of relational care
The theology of relational care refers to a theology of understanding how contemporary followers of Jesus can relate to others, especially those who are poor, marginalized, or considered to be outcasts from mainstream society.-Theology:The theology of relational care emphasizes Christians...
, which describes Christians caring for others as Christ cared for the poor. Christian Boyd also writes about a new perspective of practical theology called "convergent practical theology" which has emerged out of the combined studies and practice of missiology
Missiology
Missiology is the area of practical theology that investigates the mandate, message, and mission of the Christian church, especially the nature of missionary work...
with organizational development since the publication of "Missional Church" by Darrell Guder
Darrell Guder
Darrell Guder is Princeton Theological Seminary’s Henry Winters Luce Professor of Missional and Ecumenical Theology. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Hamburg. As an ordained Presbyterian minister, he served as a student outreach pastor and as a faculty member of the Karlshohe College in...
et al.