FOR WHOM THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN
AND HOW IT SHOULD BE USED

 

This book is based on several years’ experience in conducting social theology at a faculty of theology. With that background in mind, it can easily be identified who can benefit from this social theology work book. They are:

-Staff and students of a faculty or a school of theology

-Catechists who conduct social catechism and need theological and catechetical reflection in the dialogue with social sciences

-Lay people, particularly those actively involved in social activities and wish to look at their activities in the light of faith

-Any Christian who wants to know about a method of social theology

-Sisters and brothers of other faiths who are searching for a method to conduct a social theology reflection on social reality and who wish to know the Christian vision about social issues.

Though all chapters in this book have been written in such a way that each can be read separately and independently, they are mutually related and constitute a unit. Our suggestion concerning the use of this book is as follows:

-Chapter 1 should be read first because it explains the concept of social theology, its dynamics and its major elements. Chapter 2, which supplies the concept with a wider historical background, is not necessary reading for understanding other parts, and may be skipped.

-Chapter 3 should be read after Chapter 1 since it shows steps and methods to conduct the process of social theology.

-Chapters 4 and 5 provide theoretical concepts and practical guides about observation and social analysis.

-Chapters 6 to 12 discuss a number of principal social issues. The parts have the following basic structures:

(1) Problem formulation

(2)Discussion about the issues from the viewpoints of social sciences and ethics

(3)Social-theological reflection about the issues

(4)Selected materials, in the form of questions, for personal and group study. The materials, either texts from the Bible or Church documents or cases, can be used as starting points for further discussion or for further study about the themes. The questions are expected to help participants take an active role.

(5)A list of selected readings (texts in Bahasa Indonesia take priority).

If this book is to be used outside of a school of theology, the topics in Chapters 6 to 12 can be taken as the themes for study and discussion. For that purpose, this book also provides a vision which can be discussed.