Abstract
In this article the author discusses the differences between pastoral care and psycho-social therapy. She clarifies the specific identity of pastoral care on the basis of Henning Luther’s theology. He distinguishes different anthropological presuppositions in pastoral care and psycho-social therapy. Consequently, she demonstrates the relevancy of Luther’s theology for today’s Practical Theology.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
In this article I use the term pastoral care for both pastoral care and pastoral counseling. For an overview on the difference between pastoral care and pastoral counseling I refer to St. James O’Connor (2003). He determines more similarities than differences between pastoral care, pastoral counseling and pastoral psychology.
In the Dutch Reformed Church people are church-members by choice and conviction of themselves, or their parents. There is no established state-church in the Netherlands. Consequently, if people do not want to be a church-member any longer, the church loses territory, and people no longer obviously turn to a pastor when they have problems.
In English the title of Luther’s book means: Religion and Daily Life: Building Stones for a Practical Theology of the Subject.
Luther uses the term ‘ultimate concern,’ a term Paul Tillich used in his definition of Christian faith. Tillich argues that faith is a state of ultimate concern. In Tillich’s opinion, the content of this ultimate concern has no implications for the definition of faith. The term ‘ultimate concern’ is generally used in theological theory to indicate ultimate questions of meaning which individuals are concerned about.
References
Astley, J. (2002). Ordinary Theology: Looking, Listening, and Learning in Theology. Aldershot, England: Ashgate Publishers.
Browning, D. S. (1976). The Moral Context of Pastoral Care. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press.
Browning, D. S., & Oden, T. (1984). Care of Souls in the Classic Tradition. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press.
Bruinsma-de Beer, J. (2006). Pastor in perspectief. Een praktisch-theologisch onderzoek naar de competentie van de pastor. Gorinchem: Narratio.
Campbell, A. V. (1985). Professionalism and Pastoral Care. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press.
Capps, D. (1990). Reframing. A New Method in Pastoral Care. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
Gerkin, V. E. (1984). The Living Human Document. Re-visioning Pastoral Counseling in a Hermeneutical Mode. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Gerkin, V. E. (1986). Widening the Horizons. Pastoral Responses to a Fragmented Society. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press.
Glock, Ch. Y., Ringer, B. B., & Babbie, E. R. (1967). To Comfort and to Challenge. A Dilemma of the Contemporary Church. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Heitink, G. (1977). Pastoraat als hulpverlening. Inleiding in de pastorale theologie en psychologie. Kampen, The Netherlands: Kok.
Heitink, G. (1998). Pastorale Zorg: Theologie, differentiatie, praktijk. Kampen, The Netherlands: Kok.
Jacobs, G. (2001). De paradox van kracht en kwetsbaarheid. Empowerment in feministische hulpverlening en humanistisch raadswerk. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: SWP.
Lartey, E. Y. (1997). In Living Colour. An Intercultural Approach to Pastoral Care and Counselling. London: Cassell.
Luther, H. (1988). Diakonische Seelsorge. Wege zum Menschen, Heft 8, pp. 475–484, Göttingen, Germany: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
Luther, H. (1992a). Religion und Alltag. Bausteine zu einer Praktischen Theologie des Subjekts. Stuttgart, Germany: Radius-Verlag.
Luther, H. (1992b). Alltagssorge und Seelsorge. Zur Kritik am Defizitmodell des Helfens. In: Luther, H. (Ed.), Religion und Alltag. Bausteine zu einer Praktischen Theologie des Subjekts. Stuttgart, Germany: Radius-Verlag.
Macquarrie, J. (1986). Theology, Church and Ministry. London: SCM Press.
Nauta, R. (2003). Zin, zorg en zonde. Enkele aspecten van een psychologie van de geestelijke leiding. Praktische Theologie. Nederlands tijdschrift voor pastorale wetenschappen, 30, pp. 318–327. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Waanders.
Pargament, K. I. (1992). Of Means and Ends: Religion and the Search for Significance. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 2(4), 201–240.
Schilderman, J. B. A. M. (1998). Pastorale professionalisering, een empirisch onderzoek onder rooms-katholieke priesters naar de betekenis van de ambtstheologie voor de professionalisering van pastorale arbeid. Kampen, The Netherlands: Kok.
Schilderman, J. B. A. M., Ven, vander J. A., & Felling, A. (1999). Professionalising the Shepherds. Journal of Empirical Theology, Kampen, The Netherlands: Kok.12(1), 59–90.
St. James O’Connor, Th. (2003). Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Care: Is there a Difference? The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, 57(1), pp. 3–14.
Acknowledgment
The author would like to thank Hanneke Jonkers-Schaap, who kindly and critically reviewed this article.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bruinsma-de Beer, J. The Subject of Pastoral Care: A Discussion Based on the Theology of Henning Luther. Pastoral Psychol 55, 167–174 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-006-0043-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-006-0043-0