Revisiting the Hermeneutic of Divine Relationship: Contributions of Liberation Theology and Implications for Systemically Oriented Christian Therapists

Abstract

This essay builds upon previous work introducing the hermeneutic of Divine relationship, a lens by which systemically oriented Christian therapists can begin to understand the connections between the relational nature of God and their systemic worldview. Specifically, we explore what liberation theology has to offer each of the five domains of the hermeneutic of Divine relationship (i.e., God’s nature, human nature, sin and suffering, reconciliation, and hope) and by doing so demonstrate how a revisioning of the hermeneutic of Divine relationship through a liberation theology lens helps move the hermeneutic forward in its ability to aid all systemically oriented Christian therapists with their personal and professional integration. Additionally, this essay explores what a training course on the hermeneutic of Divine relationship could look like and presents a prototype curriculum for training on the hermeneutic of Divine relationship and personal/professional integration for systemically oriented Christian therapists.

Keywords:

• Faith integration
• hermeneutics
• marriage and family therapy
• hermeneutic of divine relationship
• liberation theology

Additional information

Funding

Theological Integration Fellowship, Seattle Pacific University.