Abstract
The importance of narrative for practical theology is today widely recognised, both nationally and internationally. There is, however, disagreement amongst practical theologians regarding the scope and role of narrative in practical theological methodology. The practical theologian Julian M�ller made, and continues to make, an important contribution to the methodology of practical theology through his narrative approach. The aim of this article was to contribute to the ongoing methodological discussion about the scope and role of narrative approaches in practical theology. M�ller�s narrative approach was discussed against the backdrop of the narrative turn in the human and social sciences. It was concluded that M�ller�s narrative approach reveals some of the key tensions in practical theological methodology. His metaphorical narrative approach, as a representative of the poetic pole in the methodological debate, helps to guard practical theology from losing its transformative orientation and its vital connection with religious practice. Embracing a variety of approaches could help practical theologians to steer between the Scylla of a one-sidedly scientific practical theology and the Charybdis of the triumph of the immediacy of praxis.
Highlights
It is a privilege to contribute to this ‘Festschrift’ for our colleague Julian Müller
It is in particular his narrative approach to practical theology and his work on postfoundationalism that stands out in this context
The aim of this article is to contribute to the ongoing methodological discussion (Dreyer 2010) about the scope and role of narrative in practical theology through a critical discussion of Julian Müller’s narrative approach
Summary
It is a privilege to contribute to this ‘Festschrift’ for our colleague Julian Müller. I focus on one area of practical theological scholarship where Julian Müller made, and continues to make, an important contribution, namely the methodology of practical theology.. I focus on one area of practical theological scholarship where Julian Müller made, and continues to make, an important contribution, namely the methodology of practical theology.1 It is in particular his narrative approach to practical theology and his work on postfoundationalism that stands out in this context. The recently published Wiley-Blackwell companion to practical theology (MillerMcLemore 2012) includes, for example, a chapter by the Dutch practical theologian Ruard Ganzevoort (2012) on narrative approaches. In one way or another human stories are connected with stories of and about God. (p. 214)
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