Methodology: Pattison and Woodward: 7-8 (PhD Edit) & Video Update

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Seven, practical theology is sociopolitically committed.[1]  Persons from ‘below’ are a focus of practical theology, these being people who experience institutionalized injustice and oppression.[2]  The Church should not simply attempt to raise itself to heaven in a sense,[3] but needs to focus on working within the world.[4]  Robert McAfee Brown (1984) comments that in the Bible, in places such as Exodus, God takes a position against those who promote oppression and injustice.[5]  God at times does take sides in human struggles,[6] and God does side with the oppressed.[7]  Christians are sometimes in the delicate and tricky position of staying true to Biblical standards and yet standing with those who are oppressed and within the world system,[8] even if they are not believers and live outside of Christian morality.[9]  Those in power who call themselves Christians need to be respectfully challenged if they are perceived with a significant deal of evidence, to be involved in abusive practice.[10]  Western Christians need to examine the side they are on in many of the world’s social struggles, particularly in regard to the third world.[11]  In my mind there is a danger that Christianity, whether conservative or liberal, becomes overly influenced by cultures where it exists.  Christian thought must stay true to Biblical and theological principles at the expense of being led astray by societal movements that later in history may be deemed to have been corrupt.  Any historical corruption of the Christian Church is, in the end, a poor witness of Christ and the gospel and weakens the credibility of Christian ministry in the minds of many critics.[12]

Eight, practical theology is experimental, and personal experience of people’s religious life.[13]  There is room for discussion in how doctrines should be practically implemented.[14]  As people’s religious reflection needs to be taken seriously,[15] and this has my total support, I reason this can be done within traditional Christian perspectives, including Reformed ones, without overthrowing doctrines that are considered Biblical and essential.[16]  Again, this is not to indicate, in any way, that I wish to avoid intellectual challenges to Reformed theology as concepts from both conservative and liberal perspectives shall be reviewed and examined within this work.[17]   J.I. Packer (1973) states those that know God have great thoughts concerning him.[18]  These types of thoughts require personal experiences beyond Biblical and theological knowledge alone.  The God of academic and devotional theology needs to be personally experienced to seriously impacts lives.[19]

ANDERSON, RAY S. (2001) The Shape of Practical Theology, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.

BROWN, ROBERT MCAFEE (1984) Unexpected News, Philadelphia, The Westminster Press.

CARTLEDGE, MARK J. (2002) Charismatic Glossolalia, Hants, England,

Ashgate Publishing Company.

CARTLEDGE, MARK J. (2003) Practical Theology, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, Paternoster Press.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It? Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

PACKER, J.I. (1973) Knowing God, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press. 

PACKER, J.I. (1996) ‘Regeneration’ in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.

WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books.

WOODWARD, JAMES AND STEPHEN PATTISON (2000)(2007)(eds.), The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology, Oxford, Blackwell Publishing. 

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[1] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 14-15).

[2] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15).

[3] Anderson (2001:181).

[4] Anderson (2001:181).  The Church must work within the world without being worldly at the expense of being true to the Holy Spirit.  This is no easy task for a large institution such as the Church.

[5] Brown (1984: 34).

[6] Brown (1984: 34).

[7] Brown (1984: 41).

[8] Anderson (2001:181). 

[9] A good Christian witness will treat non-believers with love, care and respect.

[10] Brown (1984: 160-161).

[11] Brown (1984: 160-161).  Anderson (2001: 181).  The third world is also known as the developing world.

[12] Anderson reasons the Church needs to repent for wrong doing in its existence.  Anderson (2001: 180-181).

[13] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15).  Cartledge (2003: 248-249). 

[14] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15).

[15] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15).  Cartledge (2003: 248-249). 

[16] Whale (1958: 15).  Erickson (1994: 37).

[17] Notably in the surveys.

[18] Packer (1973: 24).

[19] Packer (1973: 24).  Cartledge (2003: 248-249).