Theology and Development
BRENT FRIESLAAR
April 8, 2012
FACILITATOR: REV. DR. ISAIAS CHACHINE | Theology and Development | | Theological Reflection - Amartya Sen and Elaine Graham, Heather Walton and Frances Ward |
This paper will deal with the importance of Theological reflection and it will argue that theological reflection is the responsibility of all individuals in the human race. In response to Amartya Sen’s work in Development as Freedom as well the treatment of theological reflection and the analysis of methods by Elaine Graham, Heather Walton and Frances Ward, this paper will attempt to unpack what the term ‘development’ means with a view to offering a theological response to the concerns articulated by Sen in his book. This theological response will be rooted in Scripture while at the same time it will keep in its perspective what Christian discipleship means against the example of the life and ministry of Jesus.
A key issue that needs to be addressed at the outset in this paper is the importance of theological reflection and development in theological seminaries. If the prime focus and purpose of a theological seminary is to prepare men and women for the ordained ministry and thereby equipping them to respond to the issues, dilemmas and realities of the world, then a course like Theology and Development is an essential course to have as part of a seminary’s core curriculum. If only biblical criticism, biblical interpretive skills, doctrine and liturgy is taught, then how will those being prepared for ministry be equipped with the necessary skills to translate what doctrine and scripture is saying to the issues, concerns and hopes of the communities they are sent out to serve? I propose that, as an intergrative approach, the course of Theology and Development should draw on all the disciplines of biblical interpretation, doctrine, ethics, transformation in a community, mission, Christian education, leadership and management and liturgy and worship. These are all essential
April 8, 2012
FACILITATOR: REV. DR. ISAIAS CHACHINE | Theology and Development | | Theological Reflection - Amartya Sen and Elaine Graham, Heather Walton and Frances Ward |
This paper will deal with the importance of Theological reflection and it will argue that theological reflection is the responsibility of all individuals in the human race. In response to Amartya Sen’s work in Development as Freedom as well the treatment of theological reflection and the analysis of methods by Elaine Graham, Heather Walton and Frances Ward, this paper will attempt to unpack what the term ‘development’ means with a view to offering a theological response to the concerns articulated by Sen in his book. This theological response will be rooted in Scripture while at the same time it will keep in its perspective what Christian discipleship means against the example of the life and ministry of Jesus.
A key issue that needs to be addressed at the outset in this paper is the importance of theological reflection and development in theological seminaries. If the prime focus and purpose of a theological seminary is to prepare men and women for the ordained ministry and thereby equipping them to respond to the issues, dilemmas and realities of the world, then a course like Theology and Development is an essential course to have as part of a seminary’s core curriculum. If only biblical criticism, biblical interpretive skills, doctrine and liturgy is taught, then how will those being prepared for ministry be equipped with the necessary skills to translate what doctrine and scripture is saying to the issues, concerns and hopes of the communities they are sent out to serve? I propose that, as an intergrative approach, the course of Theology and Development should draw on all the disciplines of biblical interpretation, doctrine, ethics, transformation in a community, mission, Christian education, leadership and management and liturgy and worship. These are all essential
Bibliography: Gaybba, B. (2004). God is a Community A General Survey of Christian Theology. Pretoria: Unisa Press . Gnanakan, K. (1999). God 's World A Theology of the Environment. London: SPCK. Graham, E., Walton, H., & Ward, F. (2005). Theological Reflection:Methods. London: SCM Press. Grudem, W. (2007). Systematic Theology An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press. Hanks, P. (Ed.). (1994). Collins Paperback English Dictionary. Ted Smart. Notes, C. C. (2010, August 30). Ethics in a Christian Context:Virtue ethics or the ethics of Character. Grahamstown: College of The Transfiguration. Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. New York: Anchor Books. TEEC. (2006). Engaging with People Pastorally & Ethically Workbook 1. Turffontein: TEEC. The Holy Bible : Contemporary English Version. (2003). Cape Town: Bible Society of South Africa. [ 2 ]. Regarding the human being as the central factor in the universe. (Hanks, 1994, p. 29)