Formation of Theologians through (Academic) Writing

Authors

  • Katharina PENNER

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29357/2521-179X.2018.21.15

Keywords:

writing (academic), formation, spiritual and intellectual, writing as theological method, academic community, mentoring, editing, discussion seminars.

Abstract

Theologizing in the Church is usually considered to be an oral activity. A beginning theologian who embarks on research in theology, therefore, often lacks the skills of communicating results of theologizing in written form. However, writing - academic, but not only - effectively fosters the development of one's own “voice”, the moving from an intuitive to intellectually reflected faith, from insecurity in an unfamiliar environment to gaining and expressing one’s authority in the academic community. The development of writing skills promotes a deeper understanding of theological ideas, forms the spiritual and intellectual “persona” of the theologian, and enables the integration into an academic community. Some methodologies for academic writing in theology are discussed: a disciplined and self-critical approach to self-editing, discussion seminars, mentoring by an experienced author. A theological researcher must learn to “live” in two different communities - the Church and the Academy - and write in different “languages”.

Author Biography

Katharina PENNER

Екатерина Пеннер имеет высшее богословское и библиотечное образование. Преподает методологию и методы научно-богословского исследования. Является Координатором по развитию библиотек ЕААА.

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How to Cite

PENNER, Katharina. 2018. “Formation of Theologians through (Academic) Writing”. Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology, no. 21 (August):199-211. https://doi.org/10.29357/2521-179X.2018.21.15.

Issue

No. 21 (2018): THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS: Euro-Asian Journal of Theology

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2020 Katharina PENNER

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