Chapter 2

DS9010 Research Methods and Design Aung, James Hatun

Summary (Yaghjian, Chapter 2) January 27, 2013

Yaghjian deals in this chapter with how to write a theological reflection paper (TRP) well along with “rhetorics of process, problem solving and proclamation” (18). The beginning of this chapter memo is not simply an “academic exercise” but rather a good instruction to write TRP well. The author admits that there is no such model of writing Theological Reflection Paper, because different writers write a reflection paper depending on their specialization. To write a Theological Reflection Paper is to have a clear understanding of what does it mean to be “theological reflection” and the reason of writing their reflection in their particular context. Determining writing what type of paper also essential in writing reflection paper.

After the starting points, Yaghjian explains what theological reflection is and the reasons why theologians are writing it. In this chapter, the distinction between theological reflection and theological research is done and pay more attention on “theological reflection. To have a comprehensive understanding and skill of theological reflection, “theological imagination” (20) should be considered first. In writing, observing the rhetoric of voice and genre takes essential role, TRP is different from others paper because reflects “experience, issue question, problem.”

A good theology come from a powerful process of reflection which has “its roots in the theological method of correlation” which is discussed in the chapter 4. The problems arise from different areas of life, probably, from “human life, or Christian faith, or an apparent conflict between these two” (21). Following a rhetorica...

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... elements in writing both academic and pastoral reflection paper.

This chapter introduces briefly doing theological reflection paper as “a rhetorical process and a theological practice. Yaghjian located theological reflection procedure in two models; “reflection paper and a “problem solving”stages. The author also explained two “generic” methods of TRP, first as the “pastoral theological reflection paper” and “academic theological reflection paper” (35). This chapter also deals with a proper instruction to construct theological reflection paper and brings the readers to practical work on how to write personal/devotional reflection paper to theological/academic reflection paper. Yaghjian concludes this chapter by giving a brief introduction of the next chapter which will be a good instruction on writing theological reflection or academic reflection paper.