In Cadence with God: A Perichoretic Pastoral Theology

Abstract

<p> This dissertation is an attempt to construct a perichoretic pastoral theology. This constructive proposal comes through a conversation between central dimensions of pastoral theology and salient features of the doctrine of perichoresis. The conversation partners are: (1) theologies of experience and perichoretic relationality; (2) concern for human angst and perichoretic participation; and (3) situational attentiveness and perichoretic spirituality. This conversation yields a pastoral theology that is being called 'the practice of perichoresis.' The practice of perichoresis is a pastoral theology that helps ministering persons to navigate how their ministry practice can be done participatively (with God), attentively (in situations of ministry) and authentically (personal life and ministry). Spiritual polarities will be used to articulate this relational, participative and spiritual approach to pastoral theology. This perichoretic pastoral theology is articulated as three interrelated movements. The first polarity is the move from experience to relationship. The practices and methods pastoral theology uses to engage human experience is drawn into conversation with perichoretic relationality. This interaction encourages a move toward relationship in all pastoral theological work. The second polarity is the move from concern to presence. Here pastoral concern for human angst is drawn into conversation with perichoretic participation. This interaction encourages a move toward presence; a presence which hopes to disclose God's presence even in the most perplexing circumstances. The third polarity is the move from competence to communion. In this conversation pastoral theology's situational attentiveness is drawn into dialogue with perichoretic spirituality. The move toward communion encourages practices of situational attentiveness that are rooted in communion with God and within the community of faith. A fourth polarity is offered which incorporates the other three. It is the move from practice to prayer. Prayer is the practice that integrates the theological, contextual and personal dimensions of the practice of perichoresis. This perichoretic pastoral theology is constructed in the hope of helping ministering persons to live and minister in an ever-deepening cadence with the triune God.</p>