Practical Theology Metaphor
A metaphor for me regarding practical theology is what Paul called “seeing through the mirror dimly”. We only see in part and the importance of what we do is something beyond the abstract theory. Practical theology is something that goes beyond simple theory but continuously is tried reflected and tried again. I feel it is something much more organic rather and can grow into a deeper and fuller image. This is something greater than taking theory which is only seen in part and is placed as a blanket upon the world. Every situation an context is infetisimitly different and complex.
This is something that must be done in love. Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love the Lord our God with our full heart, mind, and body. Then we must love our neighbor as ourselves. To love our neighbors, we have to come from the perspective of the mirror dimly. We cannot assume we know their story or perspective until we begin to form a relationship with each person and community. This is my great conviction towards Practical Theology. We must be in love and to serve each other in love understanding that there is a great mystery to each action and circumstance.
How do we serve each other through this mirror dimly? It is with great humility and love. No one is the expert. All are knowers, and we all seek to be known fully.
I love how Practical Theology is about doing something. I love how it is an expectation to proceed with action. I have always struggled with simple theories and analysis. I understand the necessity with deliberate interpretation and discernment. Yet, I had always struggled with the aspect that no matter how far removed into theory and thought we come, we will still be held back by the very lens we are blinded by. We cannot see without our own eyes. In the end, our eyes are all that we truly have. These are imperfect and broken. We can only see dimly, and that is the expectation considering our humanity. When I speak of these eyes in particular I am speaking metaphorically. I am speaking of the eyes of how we view reality and this creation.
Practical Theology uses attempts of action to move past the paralyzing inaction of constant study and restudy of treatises. We think and rethink of topics in new ways, but are new ways to behave for those who we serve?
There will never be a wholly right answer, and only God can guide us. Yet, as we serve in love we can only do the best we can and attempt though these dimly lit lenses. We may not ever fully know if it was the “right” thing to do, but it is a way to reflect on the concrete things we have done. Then how can we do it better and learn the stories along the way. To become one with our communities in love and hegemony.
A metaphor for me regarding practical theology is what Paul called “seeing through the mirror dimly”. We only see in part and the importance of what we do is something beyond the abstract theory. Practical theology is something that goes beyond simple theory but continuously is tried reflected and tried again. I feel it is something much more organic rather and can grow into a deeper and fuller image. This is something greater than taking theory which is only seen in part and is placed as a blanket upon the world. Every situation an context is infetisimitly different and complex.
This is something that must be done in love. Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love the Lord our God with our full heart, mind, and body. Then we must love our neighbor as ourselves. To love our neighbors, we have to come from the perspective of the mirror dimly. We cannot assume we know their story or perspective until we begin to form a relationship with each person and community. This is my great conviction towards Practical Theology. We must be in love and to serve each other in love understanding that there is a great mystery to each action and circumstance.
How do we serve each other through this mirror dimly? It is with great humility and love. No one is the expert. All are knowers, and we all seek to be known fully.
I love how Practical Theology is about doing something. I love how it is an expectation to proceed with action. I have always struggled with simple theories and analysis. I understand the necessity with deliberate interpretation and discernment. Yet, I had always struggled with the aspect that no matter how far removed into theory and thought we come, we will still be held back by the very lens we are blinded by. We cannot see without our own eyes. In the end, our eyes are all that we truly have. These are imperfect and broken. We can only see dimly, and that is the expectation considering our humanity. When I speak of these eyes in particular I am speaking metaphorically. I am speaking of the eyes of how we view reality and this creation.
Practical Theology uses attempts of action to move past the paralyzing inaction of constant study and restudy of treatises. We think and rethink of topics in new ways, but are new ways to behave for those who we serve?
There will never be a wholly right answer, and only God can guide us. Yet, as we serve in love we can only do the best we can and attempt though these dimly lit lenses. We may not ever fully know if it was the “right” thing to do, but it is a way to reflect on the concrete things we have done. Then how can we do it better and learn the stories along the way. To become one with our communities in love and hegemony.