I came across this helpful working definition of Practical Theology:

Practical theology is theological reflection that is grounded in the life of the church, society, and the individual and that both critically recovers the theology of the past and constructively develops theology for the future.
– Tony Jones on Theoblogy

It can be argued that, based on this definition, practical theology has always existed, in so far as human have asked questions about meaning and their lives. Yet, the academic and theological discipline of practical theology has a more specific, modern history. Practical theology developed to codify some of the ways Christians approach the task of meaning-making in their lives.

The discipline of practical theology developed with the rise of the scientific model and the modern university in the late 1700s and early 1800s in Europe (Osmer, 231). Instead of simply transmitting knowledge, universities were now charged with developing new research and knowledge. In response, Friedrich Schleiermacher, among others, developed a Theological Encyclopdia, arguing that Theology was a worthy subject within the research university model. In doing so, he argued for dividing theology into three fields: philosophical theology, historical theology, and practical theology. While the first two areas were promoted as areas of research and scholarship, practical theology was relegated to the work of ordained clergy and congregations. Since Schleiermacher’s early division, academic theology has evolved into four or more areas.

For the past 100 years, practical theology has largely been synonymous with pastoral theology, that is the preaching, teaching, and pastoral care of individuals and congregations (Osmer,  p.221). In many ways, practical theology became the application of the theories and ideas of the other branches of theology. Thus, practical theology is also known as applied theology. Reflection on tradition, culture, and individual and communal experiences remains at the heart of practical theology.

In the rest of my blog posts, I will explore different models and definitions of theological reflection and how practical theology is emerging as a field that bridges theological disciplines, but also offers unique insights into how theology and practice are relevant and evolving.