From the Descriptive to the Normative: Towards a Practical Theology of the Charismatic-Evangelical Urban Church

This article explores the relationship between ‘descriptive’ accounts of contemporary ecclesial practice and ‘normative’ claims of theological truth. It argues that practical theology needs to give more attention to the way that the tensions between these two voices or tasks are negotiated. A case s...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wier, Andy (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2017
In: Ecclesial practices
Year: 2017, Volume: 4, Issue: 1, Pages: 112-132
IxTheo Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
CH Christianity and Society
KDG Free church
RA Practical theology
Further subjects:B Ethnography methodology church practical theology charismatic evangelical
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Description
Summary:This article explores the relationship between ‘descriptive’ accounts of contemporary ecclesial practice and ‘normative’ claims of theological truth. It argues that practical theology needs to give more attention to the way that the tensions between these two voices or tasks are negotiated. A case study is provided of a research project that attempted to move beyond the descriptive to the normative by articulating a theological response to tensions that charismatic-evangelical urban churches experience. This study illustrates both the methodological challenges and benefits of combining the descriptive and the normative in studies of the Church. It also points to the possibility of a more fruitful charismatic-evangelical engagement with practical theology.
ISSN:2214-4471
Contains:In: Ecclesial practices
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/22144471-00401002