THREE APPROACHES TO RELIGIOUS STUDY

 
  Classical approach KERYGMATIC APPROACH EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
CREED TRUTH

What we must obey

 Good news - Love central What God has done for us - God's revelation - Act of Faith - not only God's gift, but our response.
COMMANDMENTS What we must obey Law of Love - invitation to respond. Law of Love
SACRAMENTS What we must receive Signs of life, love,  union with Christ. Gift, but involves response. Our response - "Body of Christ" "Amen" "Yes"
STRESS Law and Authority Conformity, Memorization, Dogmas, Externals. Good News of Jesus Christ Law of Love Awareness of needs of others
  • Social involvement
  • Responsible freedom
EMPHASIS God, His power and Justice   Holy Spirit - plurality of gift
LANGUAGE Abstract - Technical Scholastic Biblical, warm, adapted to nearer Ordinary, incarnational Theology of Liberation
APPROACH Deductive (Present, explain clarify) Deductive - (Present,

(Bible)          explain, apply)

 Inductive - experience, reflect, respond
CHARACTERISTICS Order, Certainty, Stability Joyful, prayerful, spontaneous Sensitive, dynamic, courageous
CHURCH Institution - structure framework
  • Guardian deposit of faith
  • Hierarchy - vertical authority
 Herald - missionary 

Hierarchy - shepherds, pastors ...

 Body of Christ - People of God

Hierarchy - Mission of Service
VALUES
  • Sense of security & identity
  • Sense of belonging
  • Catholic heritage - easier to practice
  • Faith easier to practice
 Discovery of Sacred Scripture Ecumenical, Eschatological Prayer Scripture nourishing heart and spirit  Respond to needs of people Sense of mutual responsibility Growth in maturity, freedom

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