TOWARD A PASTORAL THEOLOGICAL PHENOMENOLOGY: CONSTRUCTING A REFLEXIVE AND RELATIONAL PHENOMENOLOGICAL METHOD FROM A POSTCOLONIAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Few practical or pastoral theologians reflect on the philosophical background of the qualitative methodologies that practical and pastoral theologians often use for their empirical research. In the absence of such reflection, pastoral theologians are in danger of choosing their research methods as one might choose a recipe from a cookbook, without reflecting on the philosophical grounding of such methods. Qualitative research methods, as social science methods, come with philosophical values that can conflict with theological commitments that pastoral theologians have. I perceive some urgency in the need for such reflection, especially as students in practical theology departments are expected to conduct qualitative research, despite the rarity of pastoral or practical theological reflection to help them navigate the complicated process of choosing a methodology congruent with their theological commitments.In this paper, after I locate my pastoral theology, I will reflect on one phenomenological research method, as this particular method is deeply rooted in a philosophy that has the potential to conflict with theological commitments that many pastoral theologians hold. I will examine the philosophy’s history and assumptions, which will lead to a revision of this method from a postcolonial and pastoral theological perspective. I argue that the reflexivity of the researcher needs to be included in the phenomenological reduction process.1