Pastoral Theological Reflection on Sin and Evil vs. Pathology: The Case of the “Disconnected/Unplugged Man”

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The author defines theological reflection as a process of counselors and clients seeking insight relative to ultimate meanings and values for the purpose of deepening their understanding and directing their action toward increasing the common good. Pastoral theological reflection is distinguished from other forms of theological reflection by its starting point, which is human experience, and by its ultimate priority, which is honoring the sacred potential of humanity and containing the human capacity for sin and evil. Primary resources for pastoral theological reflection include: the particularities and diversity of everyday human experience; riches of the world's religious traditions; multiple forms of intelligence, especially emotional intelligence; insights from cognate disciplines. A dynamic, cyclic three‐dimensional approach to pastoral theological reflection adapted from James Ashbrook (1990)—disclosing what is, amplifying meaning and crystallizing values, and discerning appropriate action—is demonstrated through reflection on the case of “M”—a man struggling with addiction to internet pornography who himself engages in theologian reflection on his situation.

Keywords:

• Method
• addiction
• Internet pornography
• despair
• transcendence
• gender socialization
• paradox

Notes

1. Pelagius disputed original sin, argued that humanity has the capacity, freedom of will, and the responsibility to lead a sinless life, and that salvation came not through the grace of G‐d and the sacrifice of Christ, but through humans imitating Christ and thus fulfilling our responsibility to lead a sinless life.