ODOEMELAM LEONARD UBADIRE

RES 2
ASSIGNMENT ON: METHODS IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY
Introduction
Pastoral theology is that field of theology, that deals with the practical aspect of theology,
which helps to equip human beings with principles and skills that are necessary for fulfilling the
task of healing, teaching, preaching, liturgizing and catechizing of the human soul both
spiritually and socially. It deals with the shepherding of the human soul, giving meaning to the
relationship between faith and theological traditions. This branch of theology helps to heal the
soul, sustain life, guide, reconcile and nurture the human person. Pastoral theology uses different
methods in carrying out this function of shepherding souls and they include: Experience, Social
analysis, Theological Reflection, Action or Response, Evaluation or Judgment and Faith
Celebration or New Experience
Methods used in Pastoral Theology
I. Experience: This is one of the methods used in pastoral theology. It involves the use
of ones encountered in life during a particular event. This experience of ours and how the person
was able to overcome the challenge, will give the proper method to use in helping others out of
similar situation. Because the experience one has will always present issue real due to the
understanding the person have with it, at what stage life it happens and how to go about the
issue. For example, using the method of experience of living with people with disabilities. For
someone who have not had such encounter with them, the idea gained from this experience of
living with them can be used to help such novice and with better explanation, the novice will
come to understand how to treat them.
II. Social Analysis: In this method pastoral theologian presents issues of human
experiences as a case study. Here, the person sees avenues where he had contributed to the issue
and how such an issue has been affecting or improving her life, with questions such as, is it
necessary to partake in such action? And how to stop or continue in such practice. This is done so
that the person sees the part he played in creating such an issue and it ought to be done
practically.
III. Theological reflection: In this method a pastoral theologian will try to understand
what the Scripture and Magisterium of the church such issue and how it can be resolved using
the church’s teaching which is always in line with the teachings of Christ. An example will be the
issue of same sex marriage. Here the scripture and the magisterium of the church teaches that,
God created them man and woman and the magisterium of the church confirms it by rejecting
any issue of same sex marriage asking the faithful to pray for such persons involved in it, also
giving practical example of procreation.
IV. Action: This method creates an avenue for critical reflection into the issue. A pastoral
theologian will critically investigate the issue presented with the eyes of what other theological
disciplines states about such matter and this must be done practically and not theoretical in the
case of other fields of theology. This action must be to preserve life and practical and realistic.
An example will be the case of a marriage that have not been ratified in the church. Here the
practical theologian will investigate the issue to see reasons why the couples have not ratified
their marriage, also, she seeks out on how to help the couple get their marriage blessed looking at
what other theological disciplines says about marriages that have not been ratified then, she takes
a practical and proper action of meeting with the priest to bless the marriage.
V. Evaluation or Judgement: The practical theologian ought to understand the issue to
reach a good conclusion. This is done with a personal contact and reliable information derived
from the contact with the person on the issue. This will enable the pastoral theologian to take
actions based on the reliable information he gets from the person. An example will be the case of
a child that steals at home and the pastoral theologian is informed about it. Here, the practical
theologian ought to hear from the child what makes him steal and how she can be of help to him
in stopping the act of stealing.
VI. Faith celebration or new experience: In this method, the practical theologian opens
herself to prayer to realize the practical action which God want her to take in such situation. She
equally develops herself in further reflections, studies, and better knowledge about God. She
learns the faith of other religion or traditions, by getting involved in their functions, to
understand and bring unity of purpose. Also, the practical theologian should be able to point out
some practices that are good or those that ought to be discarded in such religion. An example will
be the study of Islam, which is a religion common among us. When we learn about Islamic
religion, we can understand the faith, interact with them, and point out the practices that are done
by Islamic faithful that is not stated in the Quran or teaching of the prophet Muhammad.