As mentioned, Theology by heart is a personal method of reflection. It tends to be recorded in the forms of journals, diaries and letters. Due to the fact that it is a personal reflection, a doctrinal notion can develop, which will help to change that person's identity. A classic example of this would John Wesley, he founder of the Methodist church. Whilst attending a Moravian meeting in London, Wesley felt his heart being "strangely warmed", and that he later wrote that he had experienced "Grace" and "Salvation". After having these experiences, Wesley was a profoundly different person, and as such, it is fair to say that theology by heart is one way to help to construct an identity, as it leads to one discovering things about themselves that they did not know previously.
Theology by heart also seeks to answer several questions. Firstly, it seeks to answer the question of "Who am I?" As theology by heart involves looking inwards, it will mean that people will be able to realise exactly what kind of person they are. It also seeks to answer "How do I want to live?” As people look inwards, they may see things that they do not like about themselves or their life, and as a result of theology by heart, they will be able to recognize these things and go about changing them. It will also answer "Why did I respond that way?", as people will realise what they have done, and will wonder whether or not it was the right thing to do, and it will answer "What counts as important?" as people will be able to understand what matters the most to them upon personal reflection.
There have been criticisms of theology by heart. Some people see it as self-centred and overly pious, as it refuses to look at major, potentially world-wide issues, but instead only concentrates on the individual, thus making theology by heart seem self-obsessed, due to the importance of the individual. Another issue with theology by heart is that there is no room for critical comments, as theology by heart can just boil down to a matter of opinion.
To conclude, Theology by heart is a method of reflection that involves searching one's inner-self for answers as to what kind of person they are and how they live their lives. It also helps to build an individual's character and identity as they search for ideas as to who they are. However, it is not a method that is without fault, as it seems to be self-centred and is a method can draw only minimal critical analysis of its findings.
This is a very good post. You make good reference to thinkers you have read and thought about. There is also good critical comment. Well done.
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