Practical Theology: A Transformational Activity Among Scholars

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Practical Theology
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Course
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Introduction
People strive to apply theological factuality to all aspects of biography specifically the
work and life of the tabernacle. This aspect is commonly known as functional theology. It
pursues to evolve in learners the adeptness and perception for counseling, sermonize, church
leadership, instructions, temple planting, leniency, double-cultural machinery, and evangelism.1
In extension to fostering and encouraging spiritual development, practical theology trains
learners for professional ability all in a bid to prepare them for Christian service and ministry. It
is an applied discipline that rotates around how the theology ought to be practiced in life and
with making the application directly. It has both lived and theoretical dimensions. This double
character gives the study of the discipline the privilege to exist in a productive dialogue with the
rehearsal of putting that theology into action. Generally, practical theology is a transformational
activity. It seeks to fabricate a disparity to people, convention, and the situation in the
coexistence both regarding outcome and process. In this paper, this statement will be discussed
in the context of the four areas of practical theology as discussed below.
Practical theology is discipline among scholars. Practical theology, as pivotal to the
leadership of the church, missionary settings, and pastoral practices is emerging as a distinct
discipline among scholars. In the discipline, scholars try to comprehend how the articulations
and the acts of God take shape in the expressions and actions of man in the world.2 The scholars
work hard to comprehend what it means to be sent out by the creator to the world where we stay
and work. It helps the scholars understand how they can cross the boundaries of race, culture,
1 Cartledge, Professor Mark J. "Can Theology be ‘Practical’?" Journal of Contemporary Ministry, 2017: 5-19.
2 Grumett, David. "Practical theology: The past, present and future of a concept." Theology in Scotland, 2015: 5- 26.

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gender, class, age, and place to reach those people who are in need. Theology itself is words and
witness about God. When people hear and see Him, He guides them to the needs of their
neighbors. Therefore, practical theology stands to be a discipline since it helps its scholars
understand what their neighbors need, what their needs are, reasons behind the needs, possible
ways of settling the needs and ways through which they can equip members, leaders, and
congregations to become involved in the Creator’s missions to the world.3
In the light of all this needs, practical theology gives weight to the issues of church
ministry, transformative deeds within the community and the life of faith societies in different
settings. The struggles of life that have been analyzed in the ethical and theological deliberations
have constantly called for a review of the perception and practice of theology. Therefore, its
practice has inspired ministers and educators to critically analyze the existing ministerial
practices.4 The social-economic scenario of the world has changed hence inspiring the believing
society to pay attention to the guidance at the practical and theological activities they encounter
on a daily basis hence the reason as to why I agree with the other scholar's argument that
practical theology is discipline among scholars.
Practical theology is an activity of faith among believers. As practical theologians
journey through the different stages of theological studies, they discover who and what they
really are.5 They become mindful that the confines between different agencies serve a beneficial
3 Cahalan, Kathleen A. "Locating Practical Theology in Catholic Theological Discourse and Practice." International Journal of
Practical Theology, 2011: 1-21.
4 Jaison, Dr. Jessy. "Theological Education Towards Holisitc Formation." Journal of Theological Education and Mission
(JOTEAM), 2010: 1-13.
5 Tobias, Styne H., and Maake J. Masango. "The Theology and Praxis of Practical Theology in the Context of the Faculty of
Theology." HTS Theological Studies, 2011: Online.