Author Mary Clark Moschella & Susan Willhauck (eds.)
Publisher SCM £35 2018
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334056775
This book is more interesting than its title may suggest! It is a series of fifteen essays by academic theologians from across the world (although most are from North America and Europe), describing how objective qualitative research can provide insights into issues in contemporary Christianity. Two examples illustrate the book’s potential. An essay on teaching spirituality to a diverse group of undergraduate students with a range of interests and spiritual experiences provides a general insight (but not a rigid template) for bespoke spiritual education – a potential guide for spiritual directors who will need to recognise that varied teaching is needed for different congregations at different stages of maturity. The second example shows that effective pastoral ministry must always adopt a ‘servant model’ based on Jesus’ example of listening to people’s needs – while remaining faithful to his teaching. Many of us were probably taught this during our training, but have forgotten the details, so this essay is salutary.
The book also contains some fascinating material within a slightly distracting framework of research jargon. One essay, described as an ‘ethnographic approach to theology’, presents, in two divided parallel columns, the moving testimony of an East African nun who suffered a traumatic abduction by rebels, and who is now able to help other girls and women who suffer similar horrific experiences. This is written in plain, simple English. The second column carries, in parallel, anthropological analysis of the testimony, drawing out analogies with sports coaching techniques! The nun relied on ‘the whole of God’ to protect and sustain her; the anthropologist affirms her testimony, within academic language, as the ‘proclamation of the gospel’. Although this treatment may seem bizarre, it demonstrates that both simple and sophisticated approaches to faith may be equally valid. And perhaps that is the overall lesson from this interesting book. Dip into it, skim over the jargon and the academic references, and you will find some useful practical gems and narratives that will aid your ministry. It is particularly recommended for theological libraries.
ELIZABETH STEPHENSON
Leave a Reply