What is Action Orientated Theology

Action Orientated Theology is the implementation of theological belief into actual practice. This could be said to be the most direct method of theological reflection, as it attempts to deal with whatever issue has caused the need for theological reflection

Action Orientated Theology developed from the debate between orthodoxy and orthopraxy.  Orthodoxy focuses very much on the notion of right doctrine, right worship and right church order. Orthopraxy, however, is the idea of right action – where the most important thing is to be acting in the correct manner. An example of this would be the recent “occupy” movement, where people who believed that the system of capitalism had to be brought down, and thus occupied areas relating to capitalism. However, the occupy movement in London created even more controversy, due their inability to camp near the London banking centre, and thus setting up their camp outside St Pauls Cathedral.  This then led to an intense debate between the heads of the cathedral, that eventually led to the resignation of the canon who had allowed the campers onto the cathedral’s land. The way that the protestors set up camp due to their beliefs helps to reinforce the view given by Graham, Walton and Ward – “this method of theological reflection has thus never been abstract speculation of timeless truths, but consideration of the obligations of communities of faith in the context of social, economic and political extremities.[1]” This is because the protestors actually believed that they had an obligation to try and protest, thus proving Graham, Walton and Ward’s definition to be true.

Another example of Action Orientated Theology would Paulo Fiere. He was heavily influenced by Marxist theories in relation to education. He was of the opinion that when the learner is passive, they are open to being deceived, and taught things that will reflect the bias of the teacher. He wanted education to be more active for the learner. Again, this is Action Orientated Theology as he is considering his political and social obligations and thus airing his feelings on the matter. A further example would be Gustavo Gutierrez, who was a believer in liberation theology – a style of theology that stemmed from the type of dictatorship that Gutierrez lived under. Again, this is Action Orientated Theology as it reflects both his political and social views.

To conclude, Action Orientated Theology is the process by which people act on their various theological beliefs.

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[1] Graham, Walton and Ward, 170

What is Canonical Narrative Theology

Canonical Narrative Theology is the notion that the identity of a civilisation can be formed from the telling, and interpretation of, biblical stories. Examples of this can be seen throughout both history and Britain as a society, which can be seen throughout the legal system and the “morals of the nation”.

For instance, in the British legal system runs on the basis of the “rule of law”, where all are equal in the eyes of the law, and that no one is above the law. There is a similar idea of equality in the bible, where it says in Galatians 3-26-29 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. ²⁸There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.[1]” As shown, the British legal system is based around the notion of equality, and it is clearly shown in the bible there is a definite notion of equality running through. There are actually several more examples of equality running throughout the bible, such as in Acts 17:26 “²⁶And He hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth,”[2] Now as Britain is seemingly a Christian country, it should therefore be no surprise that the rule of law in this country is seemingly based on the fundamental Christian text.

Canonical Narrative Theology is also present in the idea of giving to charity. Again, focusing on Britain, one of the major charities that people give to is the Salvation Army, which is a protestant charity that believes “charity demeaned the individual and people should be offered a ‘hand up' and not ‘hand outs' to get them back on their feet.”.[3] Now whilst there is no direct link between chapter and charity, in Matthew’s gospel it does state “³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: ³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? ³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? ³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? ⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” As mentioned, whilst there is no clear, defined link between what was said in the gospel and the charity itself, the fact that the aim of the charity matches so closely to the scripture makes it clear that a biblical story has had a great influence on the actions of one group.

Finally, Canonical Narrative theology can be seen to influence people as well. Perhaps the best known example of this would be St. Francis of Assisi. St Francis was a man of considerable wealth in his homeland. However, upon having a religious experience, he proceeded to sell his possessions, took a vow of poverty, and formed his own religious group. When he was creating the rules for his group, he based it on a bible passage “and to follow the teaching and the footprints of our Lord Jesus Christ, who says “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me…”[4] As shown, a biblical story has helped to form the identity of both one person and then an entire group of devotees.

To conclude, Canonical Narrative Theology is the formation of a person, country or set of ideals based on a biblical text or excerpt. It can be seen both in the formation of this countries legal system, and in creation of charitable organisations. Finally, it can be seen in the acts of certain people throughout history, such as the afore mentioned St Francis of Assisi.

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[1] King James Bible – Galatians

[2] Ibid – Acts of the Apostles

[3] http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/aboutus

[4] A reconstruction of the “Primitive” Rule of St Francis from the Regula non Bullata – pg 154