Different Methods of Theology?

By reviewing the introduction in ‘Theological Reflection: Methods’ by Graham, Walton and Ward we are able to develop further our connotations of ‘What is theology?’ Looking further into the subject it is evident that there are various forms.

The book explains the historical development of theology as a progression. Referring to the term ‘Applied Theology’ it is a process not a product; you begin with your own beliefs, and whilst going through life you apply these beliefs to each situation. An umbrella term best describes this branch of theology as all theology is practical as it rises from and is shaped by practice.

‘Practical Theology’ is described by Charry as three key tasks:
     1. Theology informs the process that enables the formation of character.
     2. Theology assists in building and maintaining the community of faith.
     3. Theology enables the relating of the faith-community’s own communal identity to the      surrounding culture and the communication of the faith to the wider world.
These demonstrate that the formation and building of a communal identity as well as culture can enable us to conduct ‘Theological Reflection’ which seeks to promote ‘talk about God’ in ways that incorporate all three tasks listed.

The historical development of theology refers to how over the ages theology has developed. Showing how theology has come from a loose gathering of people to an institutional form with members and committees. In the 20^thc.  theologians became experts in counselling as they were attracted to different theological ideas. Thus theology shifted to reflection and reflective practitioners.

The book seeks to define theology as reflection on experiences. ‘Theological Reflection’ is a more dynamic process as it gathers both practical examples and church teachings and combines them together, i.e. The Nature of the Church might come from other communities outside of the church. This can be applied to examples such as a football team, which has similarities with the church regarding the importance of the team/ God to the supporters/ followers who make it their business to learn everything there is to know about the club/ church.

Theology seeks to answer questions that are driven by the context. Contextual theology refers to all theology. As ‘Theological Reflection’ is a process consequently all theology emerges from a concept:
    · Shaped by the thought forms of era.
    · Seeks to tackle immediate and contemporary problems.
Contextual theology recognizes the place and importance of the situation/context.

In order to understand the diversity of theology the book splits theology up into different sections:
   1. Theology by Heart
   2. Speaking in Parables
   3. Telling Gods story
   4. Writing the Body of Christ
   5. Speaking of God in public
   6. Theology-In-Action
   7. Theology in the Vernacular

Entwined with these topics are our own religious experiences. The letter from Bonheoffer tackles some of the sections from above as well as some of McGraths contents page. Highlighting an example of contextual theology he explains the new context for Christianity in war time. As well as questioning his own faith in a secular society, just because we live amongst atheists does that mean we too should have no faith?

Therefore each distinction is governed by life and dilemmas in life. Life and Theology is the same thing anything in-between in artificial.