Metatheoretical Decisions for the Grounded Theory Research of Sermons on Poverty and to the Poor as Listeners

Abstract

The challenge of working with metatheoretical assumptions in a postmodern situation of a plurality of scientific-theoretical approaches is taken up in this article. The question whether the researcher must, in a practical-theological study, begin with theory analysis first or with praxis analysis first, is discussed. In sermon analysis with a grounded theory, abductive approach, the question is whether we have to begin with a blank mind. In order to answer this question the theory-praxis relationship is discussed. This leads to the argument of the article that wherever we begin the researcher cannot work without a theological perspective and in the case of homiletics, without a homiletical-theoretical framework.

Die noodsaak van die verrekening van metateoretiese vertrekpunte in prakties-teologiese wetenskapsbeoefening

“…Gevolglik kan 'n gebrek aan deursigtigheid met betrekking tot metateoretiese vertrekpunte ontstaan (vgl. Pieterse, 2010).…”