A Perichoretic Pastoral Theology: In Cadence with God

211 Pages·2022·5.426 MB·English

by  Jim Horsthuis

A Perichoretic Pastoral Theology
Thisbookarticulatesaperichoreticpastoraltheology,offeringapastoraltheological
responsetothequestionofhowministeringpersonspracticeministryincommunion
withthetriuneGod.Keyelementsfromcontemporarypastoraltheology—theologies
ofhumanexperience,concernforhumansuffering,andsituationalattentiveness—are
drawnintoconversationwiththedoctrineofperichoresis.JimHorsthuisprovidesa
vision for life and ministry in relational, participational and spiritual communion
withtheFather,SonandHolySpirit.Thechaptersexplorefourspiritualmovements
thatfosterthisvision:(1)themovefromexperiencetorelationship;(2)themovefrom
concerntopresence;(3)themovefromcompetencetocommunion;and(4)themove
frompracticetoprayer.Thebookrepresentsauniqueacademiccontributiontoboth
pastoraltheologyandTrinitariantheology.
Jim Horsthuis is Education Director at Emmaus Formation Centre in Canada.
HeearnedaPhDinChristianTheologyfromMcMasterDivinityCollegeandis
an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Jim serves as
an affiliate faculty member at Carey Theological College.
Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology
Series Editors: Leslie J. Francis, Jeff Astley, Martyn Percy and Nicola Slee
Theologicalreflectiononthechurch’spracticeisnowrecognisedasasignificant
element in theological studies in the academy and seminary. Routledge’s series
in practical, pastoral and empirical theology seeks to foster this resurgence of
interest andencouragenewdevelopmentsinpracticalandappliedaspectsoftheol-
ogy worldwide. This timely series draws together a wide range of disciplinary
approachesandempiricalstudiestoembracecontemporarydevelopmentsincluding:
the expansion of research in empirical theology, psychological theology, ministry
studies, public theology, Christian education and faith development; key issues of
contemporary society such as health, ethics and the environment; and more
traditionalareasofconcernsuchaspastoralcareandcounselling.
Disclosing Church
An Ecclesiology Learned from Conversations in Practice
Clare Watkins
The Sunday Assembly and Theologies of Suffering
Katie Cross
A Practical Christology for Pastoral Supervision
Geoff Broughton
Evangelicals Engaging in Practical Theology
Theology that Impacts Church and World
Edited by Helen Morris and Helen Cameron
A Perichoretic Pastoral Theology
In Cadence with God
Jim Horsthuis
For more information and a full list of titles in the series, please visit: https://
www.routledge.com/religion/series/APPETHEO
A Perichoretic Pastoral Theology
In Cadence with God
Jim Horsthuis
Firstpublished2023
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ISBN:978-1-032-25159-2(pbk)
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DOI:10.4324/9781003281856
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This book is dedicated to Ken and Phil, scholars who helped me
to see what God would have me see.

Contents
List of figures viii
Acknowledgements ix
Introduction: An invitation to a dance 1
1 Attentive reflection: Pastoral theology and Christian doctrine 10
2 A perichoretic rhythm: Relationality, participation, and spirituality 40
3 Perichoretic relationality: The move from experience to
relationship 72
4 Perichoretic participation: The move from concern to presence 104
5 Perichoretic spirituality: The move from competence to
communion 135
6 Ministry in cadence with God: The move from practice to prayer 165
7 Eschatological resonances 187
Index 194
Figures
3.1 Nausner’s Trinitarian Hermeneutics in the Interstice 88
3.2 Depiction of a flower with three shades of color 88
4.1 The fellowship of the wounded 125
Acknowledgements
This book hascomeoutof many yearsof reflection on Christianministry. Iam
gratefulfor the churches who have welcomedme asa pastor over the years and
the many questions we have pondered together. This work and these questions
have prompted me to ask for a deeper way to understand how ministering
persons participate with God in the practice of ministry. In particular, I would
like to thank Revelstoke Alliance Church, Cranbrook Alliance Church, Fort
MacLeod Alliance Church, and St. Catharines United Mennonite Church for
their patience with me as I served them as pastor.
In my academic career these questions have only deepened. I am thankful for
myyearsof doctoralstudiesat McMaster Divinity Collegeand for the privilege
of contributing to their Ministry Formation Department. Years of introducing
students to theological reflection on the practice of ministry has encouraged me
to ask the questions this book is exploring. I am grateful to Dr. Lee Beach for
finding creative ways for me to participate in this program.
I am grateful for those who have helped me bring this book to fruition. I
especially want to thank my colleague and friend Carrie McFarland for com-
piling the index for this volume. Appreciation also goes out to Carla Ratzlaff
both for her editorial eye and for many a deep conversation through the years
of family friendship. Carla also deserves a photo credit for Figure 3.2.
Of course, special thanks goes to my wife Laura and her gracious encour-
agement, steadfast help, and profound faith. Thanks as well to our two chil-
dren Josh and Jenna who have also encouraged this work both through their
unique gifts and their courage to live truly.
Twoscholarsand mentors deserve specialrecognition aswithout their timely
guidance and wisdom this volume surely would not have come to be. Dr. Ken
Radant helped me access some deeply hidden scholarly potential at a very sen-
sitive time in my life and Dr. Phil Zylla opened up for me the bounty that is
pastoral theology and remains my estimation for a quality pastoral theologian.
Their wisdom, encouragement, and grace has impacted me more than I can
express in mere words. It is to them that this book is dedicated.