Practical Theology

In determining whether practical theology is a transformational activity, reasoning would suggest that it indeed is. Practical theology takes the complexities and intricacies often noted by individuals and link it to the understanding and situations in everyday life. That is not to say that traditional theology is stale and cannot be comprehended by most, if not all individuals; however, when examining practical theology versus traditional theology they can be likened to comparing the text in the New American Bible to that of the King James Version. Both versions provide a comprehensive discourse and discussion on the Christian foundation but the former is more modernistic in its presentation.

Within the contemporary context, pastors have identified with either the traditional or practical theological presentation. The traditional viewpoint speaks to the pastoral context, while the latter is framed in a more layperson's perspective of his/her world. Pattison and Woodward (1999) add that both are more or less the same but emphasize different elements of religious principles.  Where the traditional theological presentation is designed to assist solely the Church in reflection, practical theology provides the Church with a framework for both reflections and transformative actions.   One could say that practical theology permits Christians to think outside of the box with regard to their understanding of faith, God and biblical practice.

It would seem as though practical theology further allows not only pastors but all individuals to do what Mark 16:15 NAB states and that is to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." While it can be noted that Christian rationale would lend itself to the traditional context being discussed in the secular corridors of society, the practical theological perspective opens the chamber of understanding that is both simple and straight-forward rather than difficult or multifaceted. So then pastors that practice the pastoral theology must not only have a Christ minded disposition but must also realize the ever-changing nature of society when it is communicating said disposition. The practical thought processes give a "shared sense of meaning [and establishes] lasting value or biblical legitimacy"   in Christians who hope to be as John in assisting individuals to know God for themselves. Thus, practical theology is transformational as it provides meaningful theology for the Christian in that regard. 

One of the most important parts of being a Christian is not only personal spiritual transformation but community transformation. "A communal spirit blooms where people are deeply in touch with one another thriving because of the faithful interaction of their different lives."   Essentially, because of its transformative properties, practical theology touches all aspects of those in need as well as those who already "cherish the new life given to [them] by God in Jesus Christ."   It is important to note that traditional and process theology has its place and this is by all means not a bashing of its presence within the Christian world.  Yet, while traditional theology has its place, that place is solely within the Christian world. Whereas, practical theology crosses a variety of academic fields as it blends all components of what God represents and what God has commissioned his flock to accomplish. Additionally, practical theology intersects denominational boundaries in that it streamlines the creeds and dogmas often associated with the traditional theological view.

Practical theology then is more or less a way of life. While it is understood by most, if not all Christians that they are to operate in a certain manner via practices and rituals, practical theology forces or rather produces in pastoral leadership "a way of believers mak[ing] sense of life as a communal enterprise."  

Practical Theology Problems: Is There A Clear Definition?

Practical theology has been around for more than 500 years. It is an evolving field of study and has gravitated to many universities throughout the years as well. Yet, there a definitive definition of what it is or have Christians reasoned that by thinking outside of the box and offering a fresher perspective on God and the Church that, that provides a distinct definition of practical theology?

Pattison and Woodward (1999) believe that "it is clearly possible to define pastoral theology and practical theology clearly, [but] it is probably not very useful to do so."   There appear to be various working definitions of both which is where the problem lies. While separation of the distinctions between the two can be realized to a certain degree, both are "a diffuse and changing field that involves many diverse participants, methods and concerns."   Therefore, it can be reasoned that many of the problems that arise in defining practical theology are not based on fact, but on opinionated individuals within the theological spectrum. Therefore, what Pattison and Woodward (1999) state is based upon each individual's view on what the definitions are and why it is not useful to distinguish between the two. But therein, lays the problem in that "practical theology under the clerical paradigm is not a discipline but a generic term covering a number of church-leadership-related studies."   But isn’t that the joy of practical theology, in that there is no definitive definition, but a working model by which pastors and Christians can create their own interpretations and discuss them? 

It is important to note that while practical theology has often come under fire for being not systematic like the traditional theology, it does have a structure to it. There are four strands in practical theology that can be identified: that it is "a method for studying or doing theology; an activity of faith among believers; a discipline among scholars [and] a traditional training for Christian ministers."   If we are to accept those strands as valid when analyzing practical theology, that would suggest that this form of theological understanding has been practiced and should be continually practiced as a result of its application among intellectuals and scholars of the theological persuasion. But that raises the question as to where practical theology came from? Was it created or is it merely a part of the traditional theology just with an updated name?

The general consensus among Christian people is that one must adhere to the principles laid out in the biblical text to the best of their ability and knowledge. Ministers and pastors preach and teach the scriptures in a solid, systematic fashion the traditional theology view and that Christians should apply the various commandments of God to their lives. But is that not also what practical theology teaches? Veling (2005) diagnoses that practical theology "is an attempt to heal [the] division [between] theory and practice."   So it can be concluded that both theologies are essentially the same in theory, but different in practice. Where traditional theology states that individuals should adhere to the principles in the scriptures, practical theology takes it a step further and adds that one should practice the scripture in their everyday world. That one should breathe the scriptures in their acting, thinking and doing.  In other words, practical theology is the word made flesh instead of on the page. This then strengthens the argument by Pattison and Woodward (1999) that a clear distinction between traditional theology and practical theology does indeed exist. 

Practical Theology: A Transformative Activity

Practical theology uses a model that was created to assist Christians in making informed and reflective decisions for transformative action.    Anderson (2001) stated that "practical theology is not simply to reiterate and apply dislocated theological truths, but rather to examine theological understandings in the light of contemporary experience, in order that their meaning within God's redemptive movement in the present can be developed and assessed."   The transformative element of practical theology is that it brings God to the present for the Christian and the non-Christian. While the Bible is a living text, the traditional theology does not hone in on a contemporary model for knowledge and understanding. It provides God the opportunity, as Psalms 18:28 NAB says to "illumine [our] darkness"  and ensures what Psalms 97:11 NAB states about the "light sown like seed." 

Practical theology speaks to our inner existence as well as our outer lives. As Christian individuals, acknowledging the pragmatism of practical theology affords the chance for renovation and becoming more like Christ. It forcefully applies the principle of Romans 12:2 NAB that one should "not conform [themselves] to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of mind, that [they] may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." Therefore, practical theology is not only transformative in individuals understanding themselves in a contemporary world, but it is renewing in understanding their role in the will of God.

Bibliography

Anderson, Ray. The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis. Downers Grove: Inter Varsity Press, 2001.

Farley, Edward. Practicing Gospel: Unconventional Thoughts on the Church’s Ministry. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.

Marty, Peter W. "Shaping Communities and: Pastoral Leadership and Congregational Formation." In or Life Abundant: Practical Theology, Theological Education, and Christian Ministry. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.

Miller-McLemore, Bonnie. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Practical Theology. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.

Veling, Terry A. Practical Theology: On Earth As It Is in Heaven. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2005.

Woodward, James, and Stephen Pattison. "An Introduction to Pastoral and Practical Theology." In Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology. Hoboken: Blackwell Publishers, 1999. 1-23.