Example
Theological Reflection
Issue (Paradox) Method
Using Option A
Version 2
1 – One person presents Incident for Reflection (both
Options A and B do this step)
2 – Presenter outlines Incident; Group helps decide
places of tension or turning points; Presenter with Group's help selects one
turning point to explore further (both Options A and B do this step)
3 –Group develops and states the turning point as an
issue (both Options A and B do this step) — When choosing an issue
statement, strive for:
- An "I" statement
- An issue reflecting conflicting tension in me, not in the outside world
- An issue that is actual, not moralistic
- An issue that is not true for everyone all the time
- But is an issue that is true for everyone some of the time
4 – Individuals in Group identify with issue (both
Options A and B do this step)
5 – Group analyzes costs and promises of the agreed upon
issue (both Options A and B do this step) (using example above)
Issue Statement
|
|
Costs of
First half of issue
statement
|
Promises of
First half of issue
statement
|
1.
|
1. . . .
|
2. . . .
|
2. . . .
|
3.
|
3. . .
|
etc
|
etc
|
Costs of
Second half of
issue statement
|
Promises of
Second half of
issue statement
|
1. . . .
|
1.
|
2. . . .
|
2. . . .
|
3. . . .
|
3. . . .
|
etc
|
etc
|
6 – Option A begins: Group examines scripture/selects
one text from scripture
Again, Group discusses possible Biblical texts and selects a
text from Exodus for further discussion:
7 – (Continuing Option A): Group explores the text from
scripture that it has selected/sets out costs and promises of the selected
text:
Summary of selected
text framed as an issue statement
|
|
Costs of first
half of selected text's
Issue statement
|
Promises of first
half selected text's
Issue statement
|
1
|
1.
|
2. . . .
|
2. . .
|
3. . . .
|
3. . . .
|
etc
|
etc
|
Costs of second
half of selected text's
Issue statement
|
Promises of second
half of selected text's
Issue statement
|
1.
|
1.
|
2.
|
2.
|
3.
|
3.
|
etc
|
etc
|
8 - (Option A and Option B both come back to this step):
Group compares costs and promises of both issue statement and selected text:
How are the costs alike?
|
How do the costs differ?
|
1.
2.
3.
etc
|
1.
2.
3.
etc
|
How are the
promises alike?
|
How do the promises
differ?
|
1.
2.
3.
etc
|
1.
2.
3.
etc
|
9 –Group discusses influence of culture (both Options
A and B do this step)
Using the example above, the Group decides to focus on one
aspect of culture. Then the Group discusses/lists ways in which this cultural
aspect addresses the costs and promises analyses (both the issue statement and
the selected text) just discussed.
10 – Individuals in the Group state their individual
positions (both Options A and B do this step)
[In this step the Group does not have to arrive at a
"Group position." This step is an opportunity for individuals in the
Group to express what they have learned from this theological reflection to
this point].
11- Individuals in the Group identify insights/questions
(both Options A and B do this step) [Again, in this step the Group does not
have to arrive at a "Group insight or question." This step is another
opportunity for individuals in the Group to express what they have learned from
this theological reflection to this point.]
12 – Individuals in the Group decide implications
(both Options A and B do this step)
