1
DECIDE

• A PRACTICAL THEOLOGY METHOD

2
DECIDE STEPS

• Describe present action
• Explore alternative explanations
• Consider Christian perspectives
• Integrate
• Design Guidelines and Actions
• Evaluate

3
STEPS AS QUESTIONS

• Whats happening?
• Whats really happening?
• What Scripture and theology relates?
• What should be happening?
• What can we do about it?
• Whats happening now?

4
DECIDE PRACTICAL THEOLOGY METHOD

• STEP THREE CONSIDER CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES
• Major Source Thomas Groome, Sharing Faith(1998).

5
There are many Christian perspectives
Hmm . . . Baptist? Catholic? Eastern Orthodox?
Pentecostal?
6
CHOOSING RELATEDBIBLE/THEOLOGY SUBJECTS

• BRAINSTORM
• Broad Bible subjects or theology categories
  related to topic?
• Possible passages/theologians?

7
FINDING MATERIAL DISCUSSING SUBJECTS

• Consider various genres of Biblical literature.
  Ex. Historical narratives, the Law, teaching
  letters, parables.

Consider different historical time periods for
theology. Ex. Augustine, Luther, Wesley.
Consider different kinds of theology. Ex.
Liberation, Feminist, Radical Orthodox.
8
How do we use the Bible?
Draw out the historical perspective (Exegesis)
Bring into todays culture (Hermeneutics)
9
How can you recognize your bias?
Remember Gods big story. How does your initial
position relate to furthering Gods kingdom?
Look for our bias in three places Our
Christian experience. Our personal
interests. Our Christian communitys approach.
10
How do we interpret the texts ?
Hermeneutic of retrieval (Mt. 13.52)
Hermeneutic of suspicion (Mk 3)
Hermeneutic of creativity (Isa. 43.19)
11
How do we evaluate our interpretations ?
Do the interpretations compliment the main story,
principles, historical teachings of the Bible?
What consequences do our interpretations promote?
For whom?
Is it constructive, in the long run, for the
church as a whole?
12
Relating Bible exegesis to current problems

• Compare contemporary issues with
• Material in text specific only to Bible culture
  (Ro. 16.16 etc. holy kiss.
• Universally conditional texts (Ro. 13.1-4
  governing authorities)
• Bible specific commands that provide general
  principles (1Cor. 11.5-6 women covering heads)
• Universal commands (Mk. 12.29-30 love God, love
  neighbor)