Theological reflection Paper Sample Essay Example

Bible -- is weak. They wonder, "What if we could reclaim the project of 'theological reflection' as something that has been fundamental to the evolution of Christian thought and tradition from the very beginning?" (8). It is to this interrelated problem and question that Theological Reflection: Methods then turns.

Graham, Walton, and Ward introduce and explore seven models of theological
reflection. These are "Theology by Heart": The Living Human Document (God is experienced through interior human experience, and theological reflection takes place through such means as journaling, autobiography and psychotherapeutic accounts of the self); "Speaking in Parables".

Constructive Narrative Theology (The narrative of Scripture and alternative theological insights gained from unexpected sources are woven together); "Telling God's Story": Canonical Narrative Theology (Christian identity and practice are shaped around "God's story" as told in the Bible); "Writing the Body of Christ": Corporate Theological Reflection (The Christian community generates theology through its corporate life, such as through liturgy, metaphors of self-identity or pastoral discipline); "Speaking of God in Public".

Correlation (Theological reflection takes place through a process of conversation or correlation between Christian revelation and the surrounding culture); "Theology-in-Action": Praxis (God is active in history and the task of discipleship is to work for justice in solidarity with the suffering of the world); "Theology in the Vernacular": Local Theologies (The gospel finds expression across different cultural historical and geographical contexts).

One of the undoubted strengths of Theological Reflection: Methods is its typological approach and the clear structure replicated in Chapter 2-7 for each of the seven methods. First, the method is outlined. Second, an introduction discusses the key features of the method. The substantial

third section -- "Reflections from History" -- offers biblical and historical illustrations of the method.

Fourth, "The Method Realized" provides more recent examples of the method, indicating its continuing relevance. Fifth, a "Critical Evaluation" raises questions and points to potential drawbacks. Finally, an "Annotated Bibliography" directs the reader towards a range of further resources. This structure enables both deep engagement with each method and easy comparison across the seven methods.

Two underlying threads run throughout. One is the consideration of how each method does or does not facilitate the three core tasks of theological reflection identified by the authors -- the induction and nurture of members, building and sustaining the community of faith, and communicating the faith to a wider culture (10-11). The other is consideration of how the sources and norms of theology are understood and employed in each method (15).

The inclusion of extensive primary sources—the “overarching objective” of the book (16) -- is the most significant and innovative contribution made by the authors to the existing body of literature on theological reflection. The first chapter alone includes as historical sources excerpts from the Confessions of St Augustine, the love letters of Abelard and Heloise, and the journal of John Wesley.

The chapters following consider perspectives as diverse as those of the Church Fathers and twentieth-century German systematic theologians Karl Barth and Paul Tillich through to those of feminist theologians Rosemary Radford Ruether and Mary McClintock Fulkerson and Black British theologian Robert Beckford. Extracts from Aquinas, the Rule of St Benedict, and the philosopher Paul Ricoeur can be found juxtaposed with letters from activist Quakers, Vatican II documents, and

the writings of Chung Hyun Kyung. Biblical passages are drawn from the Psalms, Gospels, Epistles, and Acts.

The broad range of biblical, historical, and systematic sources woven together more than meets the expectations created in the introduction, and the ways in which they are linked proves stimulating. The authors thus achieve their goal of significantly deepening and enriching the usual discourse around theological reflection.

They also shed new light on traditional theological resources as they encourage the reader to grapple with them anew through the lens of theological reflection. As a result, they clearly succeed in beginning to close the "divisions between 'systematic' and 'practical' theology" (16). The primary sources in this volume are in fact designed only to whet our appetite: a companion volume, Theological Reflection: Sources (London: SCM Press, 2007) contains a range of alternative and lengthier extracts.

If there is a criticism to be made of the book, it is that the authors could have teased out more fully the distinction between theological reflection and practical theology. Is one a field and the other an approach, or are they different terms for the same activity? This is never made clear, and ambiguity around terminology remains.

The lack of conclusion is also somewhat surprising, and the reader is left with the question, "Where from here?" While not designed to be a workbook, it would have been helpful to indicate a few concrete ways in which readers might use these models when reading a theological text or engaging in a Christian practice.

Theological Reflection: Methods is an indispensable resource for teachers of practical theology, contextual education, and theological reflection

as well as for those teaching systematic, historical, and biblical theologies.

It provides a framework for discussing both the relevance of religious practices to theology and the relevance of theology to life and practice. Seminary students, ministers, and others struggling to draw links between their theological studies and everyday work in a congregation or community will also find it invaluable.

Graham, Walton, and Ward understand the "connections between human dilemmas and divine horizons" (6) to be a nexus of vibrant faith, and their passion for making these connections is contagious.