2. Requirements for the Major in Practical Theology

 

2.1. Advising

Upon admission into the ThD program or no later than the first two weeks of studies, the student should meet with her or his major and concentration advisors for a diagnostic conference in order to determine the nature of the student’s preparation to enter the major. The purpose is to determine areas of competence already achieved and areas in which further work might be necessary in order to meet the entry level of competence required. If there are inadequacies in an otherwise strong preparation, the student may be required to take supplemental courses, for example, in history or theology.

Throughout the program, the major and concentrations advisors will work with the student to shape a plan of study suited to the student’s specific research interest and built upon the particular fields of specialization that are necessary to carry out that research interest with competency. It is the major advisor rather than the concentration advisor with whom the student should negotiate all major curriculum requirements, language requirements, examinations (other than the minor examination), and strategies for prospectus and dissertation writing.

 

 

2.2. Required Courses

The major in practical theology consists of twelve total courses:

·          3 required “core” courses (Proseminar in Practical Theology, Ecclesiology, and Church and Theology in the Contemporary World)

·          6 courses from within one’s concentration (see 1.2 above)

·          3 “elective” courses

The fact that three of the courses are considered to be electives does not mean that they may be chosen arbitrarily or merely on the basis of student interest. Rather, they must be chosen strategically and with the advice and permission of the major advisor given the student’s practical, theological, and methodological focus. None of the elective courses may come from the student’s concentration field.

 

2.2.1. Proseminar in Practical Theology

All doctoral candidates are required to take a Proseminar in the first semester of their program in which it is offered. This seminar:

  • examines the nature and tasks of practical theological reflection and of practical theology as a discipline;
  • engages students in critical study of a range of classical and contemporary philosophical and theological perspectives and enables students to locate their own theological stance within these diverse traditions;
  • surveys important methodological proposals within the discipline and develops a familiarity with the primary critical issues raised by those proposals;
  • introduces students to faculty research in practical theology and to various School of Theology initiatives and centers that are directly engaged in practical theology;
  • introduces students to program requirements, faculty resources, library resources, the general reading list, and discusses strategies for preparing for qualifying examinations; and
  • examines the vocations of scholarship and public religious leadership, for which the degree program seeks to prepare students

 

2.2.2. Ecclesiology

All doctoral candidates are required to take a seminar in Ecclesiology in the first semester of their program in which it is offered. This seminar explores the nature and mission of the church as a systematic theological orientation guiding practical theological research. Accordingly, this course asks the question, “What is the church?” within the context of research into the lived faith of Christians in congregations and in the world.

 

2.2.3. Church and Theology in the Contemporary World

All doctoral candidates are required to take the research seminar “Church and Theology in the Contemporary World.” The course enables students to design and carry out a substantial research project in practical theology under the guidance of instructors. Moreover, the course addresses broad issues facing the church in diverse cultures and contexts. Students gain skills in identifying practical theological issues and interpreting contexts; critically incorporating social scientific research in a theological project; making normative judgments; and thinking through strategic responses.

 

 

2.3. Language Examinations

All candidates are required to pass translation examinations in two languages, usually French or German, though exceptions may be made where the student provides a convincing rationale to her or his major advisor as to the “research” relevance of that substitute language. As per the ASC Guidelines, students may also complete two semesters in qualitative and quantitative research methods as one of the language requirements. The requirement for doctoral candidates to complete one language requirement by the end of the first year and the other by the end of the second year is strictly enforced for ThD students. Financial aid may be affected if this timetable for language requirements is not met.

 

 

 

2.4. Written Qualifying Examinations

Three qualifying examinations must be taken for the major in practical theology, one of which (examination #3) is wholly devoted to the student’s concentration. The Doctor of Theology Degree Handbook of Boston University School of Theology calls for a “core bibliography” in each major and minor field of study (§2.4). The bibliography printed below in §2.5 serves as that core bibliography for the major, and it is on the basis of this core bibliography that each of the first two qualifying examinations is prepared. For each examination, the candidate will develop with his or her major advisor a fuller bibliography that builds on the following core bibliography and adds additional readings based on the student’s practical, theological, and methodological focus. Along with other practical theology faculty, the major advisor will read the answers to these questions with an expectation of precision, depth of knowledge, clarity of expression, richness of understanding, and ability to achieve appropriate interdisciplinary connections and integration. Examination #3, the “concentration” examination, will be customized based on the particular concentration field and in conversation with the student’s concentration advisor.

 

2.4.1 Examination #1 – Practical Theology as a Discipline

            The first examination in practical theology is one that is likely to bear great similarity from student to student, much more so than the second examination, which is far more customized. Examination #1 asks questions about the very nature of practical theology as a discipline, or movement within the larger theological enterprise and about the body of literature that has grown up around questions of the history and nature of practical theology. Examination #1 asks about how the student’s theological understanding shapes her or his own approach to practical theological questions and how that understanding is related to particular descriptive approaches, whether those be more philosophical, historical, or social scientific. The examiners reserve the right to ask questions of any kind; however, the following are the kinds of questions students should expect to answer:

 

1.   “What is Practical Theology? In your answer, provide (a) a brief definition of Practical Theology, (b) a discussion of what you take to be the key issues in the field, (c) an analysis of those issues with reference to at least three authors in the bibliography, and (d) an argument for your own position on these issues.

2.   Demonstrate your understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the field of practical theology by discussing the relationship between theology and a particular methodological approach (historical, social-scientific, philosophical) to describing and analyzing “the situation.” In this discussion, be sure to analyze and illustrate the role of description in practical theology. In the course of your answer, make detailed comparisons among the proposals of at least three authors in the bibliography.

3.   Consider two major Christian theologians (agreed upon ahead of time with your major advisor) and discuss the relevance and contribution of those individuals to how one might understand the nature of practical theology and how one might actually go about the tasks of practical theology.

 

2.4.2 Examination #2 – Ecclesiology, Context, and Practices

The second major examination in practical theology affords the student the opportunity to demonstrate her or his grasp of the discipline of practical theology as it pertains to her or his concentration. While all students will be asked here about their understanding of the church, this second examination will ask students to relate their ecclesiology to their own particular field of concentration. In addition, this examination will ask questions about

·          how context and culture shape practical theological research in the concentration field

·          how cognate fields of study and the student’s own methodological approach to the concentration contribute to and shape the practical theological study of that concentration

·          how various philosophical, moral, and hermeneutic schools of thought bear upon how one understands the relationship of practice to truth and the interpretation of Christian practices in the concentration field

Because this examination is customized, the purple book does not here include sample questions for this exam except the following sample question related to ecclesiology (some version of which every student should expect).

 

1.      How do you understand the nature and mission of the church and, in particular, the relation of the church to its contemporary setting or culture? Discuss your answer in dialogue with other relevant positions on these questions (including positions with which you agree and positions with which you do not agree) and, in particular, with at least three authors in the bibliography.

 

2.4.3 Examination #3 – Concentration Exam

The third examination in practical theology is wholly focused on the student’s field of concentration. Each student should consult with his or her concentration advisor to develop a bibliography and to discuss the types of questions that may appear on this exam.

 

 

 

2.5 Core Bibliography

As per §1.1 above, Boston University School of Theology construes the discipline of Practical Theology in a way that focuses on the concrete problems and practices of the church in the world as well as their interpretation by whatever disciplines and approaches are suggested by the problems and practices themselves. For that reason, the following bibliography should in no way be construed as “the essence” of practical theology. An inherent difficulty in producing a “core bibliography” for practical theology is that many of the texts with which all students in the field should be familiar tend to be more philosophical, historical, and methodological when, in practice, the discipline itself relies on contextual research and the kind of analysis that employs a varied range of research from the natural and social sciences, as well as the arts and humanities, in order to interpret and reflect theologically on a given problem or practice. The following bibliography, therefore, pertains only to those suggested works that will contribute to a practical theologian’s understanding of the more general features of the discipline.

 

2.5.1. The Discipline of Practical Theology

 

Andrews, Dale

 

2002

Practical Theology for Black Churches: Bridging Black Theology and African American Folk Religion. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.

Browning, Don S.

 

1991

A Fundamental Practical Theology: Descriptive and Strategic Proposals. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress.

Browning, Don S. (Ed.)

 

1983

Practical Theology: The Emerging Field in Theology, Church, and World. San Francisco: Harper & Row.

Browning, Don S., David Polk, and Ian S. Evison

 

1989

The Education of the Practical Theologian : Responses to Joseph Hough and John Cobb's Christian Identity and Theological Education, Scholars Press Studies in Theological Education. Atlanta: Scholar’s Press.

Deck, S.J. Allan Figueroa

 

2004

“A Latino Practical Theology: Mapping the Road Ahead.” In Theological Studies 65: 2 (June), 275-297.

Doehring, Carrie

 

1999

“A Method of Feminist Pastoral Theology.” In Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore

& Brita Gill-Austern, Eds. in Feminist and Womanist Pastoral Theology. Nashville: Abingdon, 95-112.

Dykstra, Craig

 

1999

Growing in the Life of Faith: Education and Christian Practices. Louisville, Kentucky: Geneva Press.

Farley, Edward

 

1982

Ecclesial Reflection. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

 

1983

Theologia: The Fragmentation and Unity of Theological Education.

 

1990

“Protestant Practical Theology.”  In Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 934-936.

 

1996

Deep Symbols : Their Postmodern Effacement and Reclamation. Valley Forge: Trinity Press.

Goizueta, Roberto

 

1994

Foundations of Theology: An Hispanic-American Perspective. Maryknoll: Orbis.

Graham, Elaine L.

 

1996

Transforming Practice: Pastoral Theology in an Age of Uncertainty. London: Mowbray (Chapters 4, 5, and 6).

Groome, Thomas

 

1980

Christian Religious Education: Sharing Our Story and Vision. San   Francisco: Harper & Row

 

1991

Sharing Faith: A Comprehensive Approach to Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry: The Way of Shared Praxis. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco

 

1998

Educating for Life : A Spiritual Vision for Every Teacher and Parent. Allen, Texas: Thomas More.

Hanson, Bradley C., Ed.

 

1990

Modern Christian Spirituality: Methodological and Historical Essays. Atlanta: Scholars Press. [See in particular Part One (chapters 1-4)]

Heitink, Gerben

 

1999

Practical Theology: history, theory, action domains : manual for practical theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Hough, Joseph C. and Cobb, John B., Jr.

 

1985

Christian Identity and Theological Education. Atlanta: Scholar’s Press.

International Journal of Practical Theology

 

 

This journal is present in the STH library and online. Practical Theology students should consult this journal regularly.

Jennings, Theodore W.

 

1985

The Vocation of the Theologian. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

Maddox, Randy L.

 

1991

“Practical Theology: A Discipline in Search of a Definition.” Perspectives in Religious Studies 18, 159-169.

Ogden, Schubert M.

 

1986

“Prolegomena to Practical Theology,” in On Theology. San Francisco: Harper & Row.

Poling, James N. and Donald Miller

 

1985

Foundations for a Practical Theology of Ministry. Nashville: Abingdon Press,

Schleiermacher, Friedrich

 

1966

Brief Outline of the Study of Theology. Translated by Terrence N. Tice. Richmond: John Knox Press.

Segundo, Juan Luis

 

1976

The Liberation of Theology. Maryknoll: Orbis.

Stone, Howard W. and James O. Duke

 

1996

How to Think Theologically. Minneapolis: Fortress.

Van der Ven, Johannes

 

1990

Practical Theology: An Empirical Approach. Kok Pharos Publishing House

Viau, Marcel

 

1999

Practical Theology: A New Approach. Leiden: Brill.

Volf, Miroslav and Dorothy C. Bass, Eds.

 

2002

Practicing Theology: Beliefs and Practices in Christian Life. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans

Wheeler, Barbara and Edward Farley, Eds.

 

1991

Shifting Boundaries: Contextual Approaches to the Structure of Theological Education. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press.

Wood, Charles Monroe

 

1985

Vision and Discernment : An Orientation in Theological Study. Atlanta: Scholars Press.

 

2.5.2. Theological Foundations

Students must demonstrate close reading of classical texts of the Western Christian tradition and must be able to dialogue competently with contemporary theological developments, issues, and trends. Students should be able to locate themselves theologically with regard to major doctrinal questions and should also be deeply conversant with two major theologians, one each from two of the following three periods:

 

Classical and Medieval (1st through the 16th Centuries CE)

Modern (17th through the 19th Centuries CE)

Contemporary (20th and 21th Centuries CE)

 

Specifically, students should be prepared to analyze the implications of each theologian’s work for practical theology.

 

2.5.3. Ecclesiology

Augustine

 

2000

De civitate Dei. English. edited and translated by R.W. Dyson. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press.

Billingsley, Andrew

 

1999

Mighty Like a River: The Black Church and Social Reform. Oxford University Press.

Boff, Leonardo

 

1986a

Church: Charism and Power: Liberation Theology and the Institutional Church. New York: Crossroad.

 

1986b

Ecclesiogenesis: The Base Communities Reinvent the Church. Maryknoll: Orbis.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich

 

1998

Sanctorum Communio: A Theological Study of the Sociology of the Church. Volume 1, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Minneapolis: Fortress.

Cavanaugh, William T.

 

1998

Torture and Eucharist: Theology, Politics, and the Body of Christ. Blackwell.

Dulles, Avery

 

1988

Models of the Church. Second Edition. Dublin: Gill and MacMillan.

Flannery, Austin P. (Ed)

 

1996

Vatican II: The Conciliar and Post-Conciliar Documents. Specifically Lumen Gentium, Unitatis Redintegratio, Gaudium et Spes, Ad Gentes. Costello Pub. Co.

Gill, Robin

 

1999

Churchgoing and Christian Ethics. Cambridge University Press.

Guder, Darell, Ed.

 

1998

The Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Hauerwas, Stanley

 

1984

The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics. University of Notre Dame Press.

 

1989

Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony: A Provocative Christian Assessment of Culture and Ministry for People Who Know That Something Is Wrong. Abingdon Press.

 

1995

In Good Company: The Church as Polis. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press.

Johnson, Elizabeth

 

1993

Friends of God and the Prophets: A Feminist Theological Reading of the Communion of Saints. Westminster/John Knox Press.

Lathrop, Gordon W.

 

1999

Holy People: A Liturgical Ecclesiology. Minneapolis: Fortress.

Lincoln, C. Eric and Lawrence H. Mamiya

 

1990

The Black Church in the African American Experience. Duke University Press.

Lohfink, Gerhard

 

1999

Does God Need the Church? Toward a Theology of the People of God. Translated by Linda M. Maloney. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press.

Moltmann, Jürgen

 

1993

The Church in the Power of the Spirit: A Contribution to Messianic Ecclesiology. Minneapolis: Fortress.

Russell, Letty M.

 

1993

Church in the Round: Feminist Interpretation of the Church. Westminster: John Knox Press.

Schillebeeckx, Edward.

          1993     Church: The Human Story of God. Crossroad/Herder&Herder.

Schmemann, Alexander

 

1989

The Eucharist: Sacrament of the Kingdom. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

 

1993

For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

Schüssler Fiorenza, Elisabeth

 

1993

Discipleship of Equals: A Critical Feminist Ekklesia-logy of Liberation. New York: Crossroad.

Song, C. S.

 

1996

Jesus the Crucified People. Minneapolis: Fortress.

Wesley, John

 

1988

“Of the Church,” The Bicentennial Edition of the Works of John Wesley, Sermon 74, Volume 3. Nashville: Abingdon, 45-57.

Yoder, John Howard

 

1992

Body Politics : Five Practices of the Christian Community before the Watching World. Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources Press.

 

1994

The Royal Priesthood: Essays Ecumenical and Ecclesiological. Scottsdale, PA: Herald Press.

 

1997

For the Nations: Essays Public and Evangelical. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Zizoulas, John

 

1997

Being as Communion: Studies in Personhood and the Church. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

 

2.5.4. Theological Interface with Philosophy, Ethics, and the Social Sciences

Aristotle

 

1941

Nichomachean Ethics. In The Basic Works of Aristotle, edited by Richard McKeon, 332-581. New York: Random House.

Bernstein, Richard

 

1983

Beyond Objectivism and Relativism: Science, Hermeneutics, and Praxis. University of Pennsylvania Press.

Boff, Clodovis

 

1987

Theology and Praxis: Epistemological Foundations. Maryknoll: Orbis

Gadamer, Hans-Georg

 

1993

Truth and Method. Continuum.

Habermas, Jurgen

 

1973

Theory and Practice. Boston: Beacon.

Kant, Immanuel

 

1993

Critique of practical reason. edited and translated, with notes and introductions, by Lewis White Beck. New York : Macmillan Pub.

Marx, Karl

 

2000

Karl Marx: Selected Writings. Oxford University Press. Ed. David McLellan

MacIntyre, Alasdair

 

1984

After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. Second Edition. University of Notre Dame Press.

Milbank, John