Christian Theology and the Practice of Faith, Distance Learning
The course is offered as a stand-alone course. It forms part of the Pre-Master in Religious Studies and Theology, 60 ECTS.
How does theology relate to the practical life of faith? Practical theology sometimes defines itself against the negative foil of systematic theology, and practical theologians worry that systematic theology neglects the role of context in Christian thought. But is this really a fair way to assess systematic theology? In this course, we explore the relationship between Christian theories and the practice of faith, and in re-imagining the relationship between these two, the course sheds light on the relation between theory and practice, as well as between systematic theology and practical theology.
Learning objectives
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Knowledge and understanding:
1.1 relate different positions on the dichotomy between theory and practice to various thinkers within the field of theology, and identify how they apply theories to a variety of materials and research objects
1.2 identify common positions in the current scholarly discourse of qualitative and empirical methods in the field of theology
2. Competence and skills:
2.1 independently formulate and solve problems related to qualitative research, within the field of theology, even with limited information
2.2 identify and critically analyse the two perspectives of Christian doctrines and lived faith, using appropriate critical methods within a given time frame
3. Assessment and approach:
3.1 select and argue for appropriate methods for studies related to faith reflection and practised faith, and the limitations such methods place on the study object, from both a disciplinary, social and ethical perspective
3.2 assess and argue for the limitations of qualitative research, and the need for ongoing research in the field, as well as the ethical issues and social concerns relating to empirical methods and qualitative research.
Course Literature
Fahlgren, Sune & Ideström, Jonas (2015) Ecclesiology in the Trenches: Theory and Method under Construction. Pickwick Publications (256 pp.).
Forrester, Duncan B. (2015) Truthful Action. Explorations in Practical Theology. Edinburgh, UK: T&T Clark.
Gunton, Colin E. (2000) Intellect and Action. Elucidations on Christian Theology and the Life of Faith. Edinburgh, UK: T&T Clark.
Ward, Pete & Tveitereid, Knut (2022) The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research. John Wiley & Sons (750 pp.).
Syllabus
See the syllabus for further information.