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The theory and practice of soul care in the thought of Eduard Thurneysen (1888‒1974) and its implications for finding a faithful and hopeful methodology of Reformed evangelical soul care for ministries in the public space

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The theory and practice of soul care in the thought of Eduard Thurneysen (1888‒1974) and its implications for finding a faithful and hopeful methodology of Reformed evangelical soul care for ministries in the public space

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title: The theory and practice of soul care in the thought of Eduard Thurneysen (1888‒1974) and its implications for finding a faithful and hopeful methodology of Reformed evangelical soul care for ministries in the public space

creator: Bradford, Catherine L.

subject: Thurneysen, Eduard (1888-1974)

subject: Dialectical theology.

description: Abstract reads : "The ministry of pastoral care (or “the cure of souls”) and the theology that undergirds such practice has traditionally been located in the context of the church. Throughout the twentieth century, new approaches to pastoral care emerged that were particularly designed for the public space rather than the church. Some of these approaches, however, shifted significantly from the classical paradigm by downplaying the role of Scripture and traditional theological orthodoxies in favour of social science theories and practices. Such approaches remain influential in pastoral care practice in the public space to this day. This thesis argues that it is possible to articulate a Reformed evangelical methodology of soul care in the public space that is both faithful to Scripture and holds out hope to people in whatever non-church context they are located. A significant twentieth-century European pastoral theologian, Eduard Thurneysen, has been selected for the central case study because his own confessional and biblical stance provides a valuable lens through which to explore aspects of pastoral theology, methods of ministry and the practice of soul care. Thurneysen’s overall approach to soul care is located in his mature work, Die Lehre von der Seelsorge (1946), translated into English under the title, A Theology of Pastoral Care (1962), and his method is analysed and evaluated. Thurneysen located all practical ministry and soul care under a broader category of wisdom. Six features of the holistic soul care wisdom that he sought can be identified. Firstly, effective soul care is aware of the socio-cultural location of both the practitioner and the recipient of care. Thurneysen’s personal approach owes much to significant intellectual influences, the tragic circumstances in his family of origin, and his geographical location in German-speaking Switzerland during two World Wars and the intervening Great Depression. Secondly, soul care must pay careful attention to orthodox theological truths. Thurneysen’s theological beliefs concerning Christ, the Holy Scripture, the Trinity, salvation, and the church’s role in mediating and proclaiming the forgiveness of sins were central to his practice of soul care. Thirdly, soul care requires a robust anthropology that can articulate the relationship between the nature of humanity as revealed in Scripture and what can be known from a careful study of creation order, particularly through the disciplines of psychology and sociology. Fourthly, method of engagement matters in the process of soul care. Thurneysen highlighted the significance of the formal art of conversation in his care, which he termed “the soul conversation”. Fifthly, faithful soul care depends upon the personal qualifications of the carer, including integrity in their life of faith, the ability to be self-reflective, and having a posture of open curiosity about people and the world. Finally, appropriate care requires a willingness to enter a conversation with the desire to connect with the other’s soul concerns without a preconceived outcome in mind. Thurneysen’s wisdom as expressed through his holistic approach to soul care provides a scaffold for a robust Reformed evangelical ministry framework. The biblical wisdom that underpinned his ministry principles are worth retrieving as they offer much to the development of twenty-first century soul care ministries in the public space from a theologically conservative perspective."IntroductionChapter 1: Thurneysen’s BackgroundChapter 2: Thurneysen’s Theology of Soul CareChapter 3: Thurneysen’s Theological AnthropologyChapter 4: Thurneysen’s Method and Techniques of his Practical TheologyChapter 5: The Personal Attributes of the Pastoral CarerChapter 6: The Practice of Thurneysen’s Soul CareChapter 7: Implications for Spiritual Care Ministries in the Public SpaceConclusionA thesis submitted in fulfilment for the degree of Master of Theology, Moore Theological College.

publisher: Bradford, Catherine L. ; Moore Theological College

date: 2021-09-01

type: Text

language: English

rights: In copyright - educational use only.This item may be used for the purposes of research and study. Please acknowledge Catherine L. Bradford and that it is held by Moore Theological College.This digital item is accessible online to all.

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format: pdf

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