Original Research - Special Collection: Practical Theology

Practical theology: A current international perspective

Richard R. Osmer
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 67, No 2 | a1058 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v67i2.1058 | © 2011 Richard R. Osmer | This work is licensed under Other
Submitted: 04 April 2011 | Published: 16 November 2011

About the author(s)

Richard R. Osmer, Princeton Theological Seminary, United States

Abstract

Drawing on Thomas Kuhn’s concept of paradigms, this article explored two levels at which paradigms influence contemporary practical theology. The first level is reflective practice, where pastors and academics carry out the descriptive-empirical, interpretive, normative and pragmatic tasks of practical theological reflection on particular contexts. The second level is metatheoretical, where practical theologians make decisions about how they view the theory– praxis relationship, interdisciplinary work, the relative weight of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience and the theological rationale that justifies their approach. The article concluded by raising two challenges to the current paradigms of practical theology: the relationship between Christian particularity and the common good, and the wound of reason.

Keywords

Practical Theology; practical theological reflection

Metrics

Total abstract views: 13381
Total article views: 26493

 

Crossref Citations

1. Faith at Every Crossroad: Restoring the Balance Between Fides Qua and Fides Quae in Our Contemporary Times
Carl-Mario Sultana
Religions  vol: 17  issue: 6  first page: 742  year: 2026  
doi: 10.3390/rel17060742

2. Negotiating double lives among Pentecostal youth: An Osmerian contribution to practical theology
Thalukanyo C.M. Sadiki, Hundzukani P. Khosa
African Journal of Pentecostal Studies  vol: 3  issue: 1  year: 2026  
doi: 10.4102/AJOPS.v3i1.123

3. A HeartMath intervention, focusing on coherence, resilience and faith, following a trauma
David J. Edwards, Yolanda Dreyer, Ben J.M. Steyn
Theologia Viatorum  vol: 48  issue: 1  year: 2024  
doi: 10.4102/TV.v48i1.219

4. Reflections of ethical church leadership through the Beatitudes in the Matthean vision: In conversation with Prof. Francois P. Viljoen
Walter Maqoma
Verbum et Ecclesia  vol: 47  issue: 1  year: 2026  
doi: 10.4102/VE.v47i1.3661

5. To be or not to be? A missional and practical theological perspective on being Church without walls amidst coronavirus disease 2019: A challenge or an opportunity?
Jacques W. Beukes
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 76  issue: 1  year: 2020  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v76i1.6115

6. Formacija kroz dezorijentaciju
Yustinus Yustinus
Kairos  vol: 20  issue: 1  first page: 69  year: 2026  
doi: 10.32862/k1.20.1.5

7. Pastoral Theology: A Methodological Approach to Analyzing Social Cases
Sonny Eli Zaluchu, Frederik Reforivan Baziduhu Zaluchu
Evangelikal: Jurnal Teologi Injili dan Pembinaan Warga Jemaat  vol: 8  issue: 1  first page: 91  year: 2024  
doi: 10.46445/ejti.v8i1.676

8. Transforming neuropsychology training programmes in South African higher education settings
Kevin G. F. Thomas, Leigh E. Schrieff, Kaylee S. van Wyhe, Noorjehan Joosub, Winnie Nkoana, Nawal Mohamad, Kim-Louise Rousseau, Nafisa Cassimjee
Transformation in Higher Education  vol: 10  year: 2025  
doi: 10.4102/THE.v10i0.610

9. A theological assessment of clergy leadership capabilities in the Ethiopian Episcopal Church in South Africa
Zandisile M Dweba, Reuben Z Rashe
Pharos Journal of Theology  year: 2021  
doi: 10.46222/pharosjot.102.028

10. Learning in Encounter and Addressing Normativity in Religious Education Faculties/Programs
A. (Jos) de Kock
Religious Education  vol: 115  issue: 4  first page: 426  year: 2020  
doi: 10.1080/00344087.2020.1789415

11. Practical theology: A critically engaged practical reason approach of practice, theory, practice and theory
John S. Klaasen
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 70  issue: 2  year: 2014  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v70i2.1950

12. Contextual pastoral education for responsible citizenship in a complex South Africa
Amanda L. Du Plessis
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 79  issue: 1  year: 2023  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v79i1.8462

13. Understanding ministerial accountability in the New Pentecostal Prophetic churches
Sello E. Letswalo, Marilyn Naidoo
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 80  issue: 1  year: 2024  
doi: 10.4102/HTS.v80i1.10161

14. Do Not Despise the Discipline of the Almighty: God as Leather Daddy and Reading Job through Althaus-Reid
Joseph Rogers
Religions  vol: 8  issue: 10  first page: 214  year: 2017  
doi: 10.3390/rel8100214

15. Volunteering as an Instrument for Preparing Young People for Christian Marriage and Family Life
Wiesław Przygoda
Religions  vol: 14  issue: 9  first page: 1150  year: 2023  
doi: 10.3390/rel14091150

16. Die bediening aan enkelouergesinne met adolessente: ’n inklusiewe en intergenerasionele uitdaging
Johan W. Scholtz, Malan Nel
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi  vol: 58  issue: 1  year: 2024  
doi: 10.4102/IDS.v58i1.3033

17. ‘Spiritual Friends’: an investigation of children’s spirituality in the context of British urban secondary education
Steve Birkinshaw
British Journal of Religious Education  vol: 37  issue: 1  first page: 83  year: 2015  
doi: 10.1080/01416200.2014.902806

18. (Dis)Abling church spaces: Walking the talk of inclusivity in Zimbabwe
Kimion Tagwirei
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 81  issue: 1  year: 2025  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v81i1.10677

19. A family support model for enhancing the well-being and work performance of Christians in managerial positions
Florence Matsveru, Johann-Albrecht Meylahn
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 74  issue: 1  year: 2018  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v74i1.4976

20. Artificial Intelligence and Interreligious Dialogue: Emerging Implications for Faith-Based Organizations
Jeff Clyde G. Corpuz
Religions  vol: 17  issue: 3  first page: 354  year: 2026  
doi: 10.3390/rel17030354

21. A qualitative Pastoral Care Model on teenage care in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa
Xolisa Jibiliza
Pharos Journal of Theology  vol: 103  year: 2021  
doi: 10.46222/pharosjot.1034

22. The practical theologian as decentred but influential facilitator
H. Elmo Pienaar, Julian C. Müller
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 68  issue: 2  year: 2012  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v68i2.1307

23. Practical theologians’ calling to serve in the field of gerontology
Petria M. Theron
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 69  issue: 2  year: 2013  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v69i2.1942

24. What About Learning in Practical Theological Studies? Toward More Conceptual Clarity
A. (Jos) de Kock
Sage Open  vol: 5  issue: 2  year: 2015  
doi: 10.1177/2158244015592682

25. Formation through disorientation
Yustinus Yustinus
Kairos  vol: 20  issue: 1  first page: 73  year: 2026  
doi: 10.32862/k.20.1.5