Wetenskapsteoretiese besinning oor die grondslae van die Diakoniologie

Abstract

In this article it is argued that theology must be practical to have meaning. The author of this article attempts to determine whether 'practical theology’ and 'diaconiology' are the same discipline or whether they are different disciplines within the science of theology. It is alleged that diaconiology differs intrinsically from practical theology when the point of departure, prepositions and theological positions are taken into account. Practical theology is based on the empirical church and its actions. Diaconiology should take as its point of departure the kingship (kingdom) of God in this world. It is conceded that the reformed diaconiological tradition got stuck in formal ministries. The article propagates the development of diaconio­logy, inter alia by means of a critical investigation of the process by which God encounters man and church. It is concluded that an em­pirical analysis of the official ministries may be necessary to establish whether the kingdom of God is indeed actualized in practice.