Discerning a Theological Orientation for Pastoral Psychologies of Care: Theologies of Subjugation and Theologies of Vuln
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Discerning a Theological Orientation for Pastoral Psychologies of Care: Theologies of Subjugation and Theologies of Vulnerability Ryan LaMothe 1 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract
This article addresses the psychologies of care associated with theologies of subjugation/ subordination and theologies of vulnerability. It is argued that a pastoral psychology of care necessarily emerges in relation to and is dependent on theologies of vulnerability. These theologies, in other words, provide the reasons, beliefs, motivations, and values associated with caring dispositions and actions. I contend further that one finds support for these theologies in the life, ministry, and death of Jesus. By contrast, theologies of subjugation, evident and pervasive in Judeo-Christian scriptures, foster psychologies that undermine care for Others. Keywords Care . Weak theology . Sovereignty . Subjugation . Subordination . Vulnerability . Pastoral psychology Most people, I imagine, are familiar with the idea that a theology is an anthropology, which, when held and practiced by a community of faith, gives rise to particular behaviors, as well as rational and moral justifications for those behaviors. A corollary to this is that a theology is also a psychology. More precisely, a theology with its accompanying social-religious rituals and performances shape the psyche—motivations, beliefs, emotions, etc.—and provides reasons for attending behaviors. Pastoral theologian Carrie Doehring (2015) notes this when discerning the embedded theology demonstrated by an individual’s actions. From a different angle, we can ask, what theology (ies) is necessary to give rise to a pastoral psychology and its This paper is in honor of Dr. Lewis Rambo’s many contributions to the field, which includes his numerous years as Editor of this journal. As Editor, he has been a stalwart supporter of my (and numerous others) work over the years. Add to this the fact that Lewis (and his wife Judy) is generous, caring, and humble man. He exemplifies the best attributes of the field, prodigious intellect, scholarship, openness, curiosity, and kindness. I also want to thank Dr. Carrie Doehring for her cogent and helpful critiques of and suggestions for this article. Naturally, any mistakes or shortcomings remain mine.
* Ryan LaMothe [email protected]
1
Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, 200 Hill Dr., St. Meinrad, IN 47577, USA
Pastoral Psychology
resulting caring behaviors? What theology undergirds the ministry of caring for the sick, reconciling the estranged, leading the lost, and freeing the oppressed? By contrast, what theologies undermine or distort psychologies of care? That is, for material inequalities to exist, for relations of domination to appear, for people to be enslaved, there must be a reigning theology (and/or philosophy) to form and sustain a psychology that motivates and justifies these types of carelessness. Consider, for instance, the theology that shaped the psyches of the Israelite
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