Theology in Action: Social Engagement of the Church in Historical, Pastoral and Missiological Context Cover Image

Богословље на делу: Друштвена ангажованост Цркве у историјском, пастирском и мисиолошком контексту
Theology in Action: Social Engagement of the Church in Historical, Pastoral and Missiological Context

Author(s): Vedran Golijanin
Subject(s): Pastoral Theology, Eastern Orthodoxy, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Православни богословски факултет „Свети Василије Острошки“
Keywords: Church; society; priesthood; social engagement; pastoral theology; practical theology; charity; poverty;

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, the author explores the issue of social teaching of the Church and its consequences in the fields of pastoral service and mission in modern world. The main question is: does the lack of systematical Orthodox social teaching means that Church does not have clearly defined attitude towards modern social problems, for example, towards growing poverty in our countries and in the world? Relying on some early Christian and Byzantine sources, as well as on certain academic works in pastoral theology, author shows that lack of systematical theological discourse on social question does not entail the lack of Church’s interest for social circumstances its believers live in today. It is precisely clear answers of Orthodox theology to contemporary social issues, as well as more active social engagement of Church, that are necessary if Church wants to achieve better results in both inner and outer mission.

  • Issue Year: 2016
  • Issue No: 15
  • Page Range: 52-73
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Serbian