Articles
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Seeking New Associate Editor for Practical Theology
Due to the internationalization and growth of Practical Theology, the trustees of the Contact Pastoral Trust wish to appoint an Associate Editor, who will make a significant contribution to the continuing development of the journal. The appointment is with the expectation that after approximately three years the person taking up the role will then become the Editor for at least the following two years. This is therefore an appointment for at least five years beginning in Sept/Oct 2023. The first two years will allow the current Editor to induct the Associate Editor into the business and tasks of editing and withdraw at the appropriate point. The third year will involve…
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In the image of God: Perfection and disability
What is perfection? In this article, we consider views of disability, perfection, and where this fits with our view of the image of God. We argue that our view of the image of God has been affected by our own perceptions. We propose that these perceptions can come from our own personal thoughts, and things such as advertising, and social media. This suggests that perfection has become key to understanding the physical attributes that people associate with the image of God. Considering disability theology, we argue that by our image of God we are able to understand what it means for everyone to be counted as exhibiting God’s image. This…
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The potential impact of closure of Churches in the metaverse
In March 2023 Microsoft ‘sunset’ its metaverse AltspaceVR platform to move its resources to support developing other immersive experiences. This may appear irrelevant to readers, unless you are involved in church mission in the metaverse.[1] Welcome to the metaverse! The term ‘metaverse’ first appears in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash describing a virtual environment where lifelike avatars engage with each other.[2] Thirty years later, it is a vision Silicon Valley are heavily investing in and a few churches (predominantly American) have grasped the vision of the metaverse mission field. However, churches in the metaverse are different, in August 2021 Facebook changed its name to Meta to focus…
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Doing Theology Through the Feathers: Reflecting on Practical Theology as a Student with OCD
“Why are you researching theology?” the Parrot asks me, as I submit the application forms for my PhD. He is mocking me. I already know everything he is about to say to me. We’ve been here before, he and I. The Parrot is always there – he is the voice that my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) takes. He is the voice of every doubt, every intrusive thought, every repeating phrase that gets lodged in my mind. He will bring up the fears I have that I’m not religious enough, as though that disqualifies me from studying theology. He will tell me that I can’t sit in that space of doubt…
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Plant Worship to Planned Performances: Changing Human- Nature Relationship and Ritual Practices
Nature, a term freely used in multiple contexts and holds several meanings. The word nature is often defined or understood as the inherent quality of any particular thing. The Latin word natura is used to denote the essential constitution of the world. Since sustainable development poses a global challenge, interaction between human society and nature becomes an object of concern. The idea of a personified nature has given us several pictures; of a nature that speaks, interacts, and even takes revenge. Understanding the abstraction of nature in human minds is a complicated process. However, looking at the multiple manifestations of nature, without reducing it into a mere physical entity, gives…
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Wang Yi’s Prophetic Practice
In 2004 a human rights lawyer named Wang Yi made the list of 50 Most Influential Public Intellectuals of China. In 2005 he became a Christian and joined the persecuted church in China as an outspoken advocate not only for human rights, but for the cause of Christ. In 2006 he was invited to Washington D.C. to speak with President George W. Bush about the issue of religious freedom. And in 2008 this young, distinguished, legal scholar resigned his university position to pastor a church in Chengdu, China.[1] As a pastor, Wang Yi drew attention from government officials for allegedly distributing Christian content, leading a school and seminary that were…
