Theological Reflection
What is Theological Reflection?
At the heart of EfM is the process of “theological reflection”. In general, this term means knowing God and knowing about God through experience. People who have studied theology through EfM often speak of how theological reflection (TR) altered their way of thinking about their faith, bringing them greater insight, drawing them closer to God, and giving them fresh awareness of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in today’s world. This new understanding has enriched and deepened their mission and ministry. Since taking what you have learned out into the world is EfM’s ultimate goal, TR can be seen as a key part of the programme. The processes found in TR have been carefully thought out and refined over a period of years, with mentor and participant feedback an important part of their development.
The process of TR can make learning come alive, as it encourages us to make links between God’s story and our story; between the past and the present. It helps us relate our lives to those of earlier people who, like us, are part of the family of God. As Christians, we have a responsibility to carry on the tradition of the people of God and to keep their story alive and real. As we examine our own beliefs and how they connect to the Christian tradition and culture, we learn to better articulate our ideas, to be more consistent and systematic, and to find ways to apply our faith in the world as Christ’s ministers. We discover that opportunities for ministry are everywhere, as TR helps us see how everything we do allows us to manifest the love of Christ.
Each of us is a theologian; TR helps us learn to think theologically. It is exciting, creative, and challenging. The EfM programme not only uses TR in EfM groups, but also equips participants to develop it as a life skill.
The Process of Theological Reflection
The process of theological reflection moves through four phases:
Identify
Explore
Connect
Apply
Identify involves choosing or identifying a starting point for a TR, from one of the four sources. The first TR method identified in the new EfM curriculum starts from the Tradition source, using a passage of scripture. At this stage in the process, a metaphor or image may be identified to represent a key theme or sharpen the focus of the reflection.
Explore uses searching questions to examine the first element/image/metaphor more closely, teasing out what it involves, what it means, and what that “world” is all about.
Connect involves making and discovering connections or contrasts with the other three sources of TR.
Apply, the last phase of the process, involves identifying insights and implications for personal, or corporate, action. These insights might emerge quickly, or unfold slowly. Sometimes the “fruit” of the TR process only becomes apparent later, as participants reflect on some of the issues that emerged as they go about their daily lives.
Methods of Theological Reflection
Throughout the EfM programme, mentors guide group members in the discipline of theological reflection. A range of methods is modelled and explored during the course of a year’s study.
Some methods used in the curriculum are:
- Theological Reflection starting with Scripture and Art
- Theological Reflection starting with Scripture or a Text
- Theological Reflection starting with a Song from Culture
- Theological Reflection starting with Personal Experience
- Theological Reflection starting with Personal Belief
- Theological Reflection starting with Art from Culture
- Theological Reflection starting with a Wide-Angle Lens Method
- Theological Reflection starting with a Provocative Word.