Seeking Bliss and Learning to Grieve: A Case for Theological Autoethnography Público

Abstract

The use of autoethnography has expanded within social science and praxis-oriented fields. However, the fields of theology and ministry remain skeptical of the method. It is my contention that autoethnography is indeed compatible with practical, reflective, and introspective theological inquiry. That is, autoethnography systematically examines the state and condition of the soul in relation and subject to the Law of Being described by Paul the Apostle and St. Augustine of Hippo. I use personal autoethnographic narrative to supplement methodological and theological theory with example. By engaging and processing the event of my dad’s murder, I more critically begin to understand my condition as living under the Law of God and not yet under Grace. Existential wanderings have lead to a misuse of alcohol and state of despair in which I fail to live into the fullness of my purpose as a child of God. Autoethnography is a plea for revelation, an appeal for God to structure my being so that I might begin to live under Grace.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………1

CHAPTER ONE: AUGUSTINIAN THEOLOGY, PRACTICAL THEOLOGY, AND

AUTOETHNOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………4

CHAPTER TWO: PRACTICAL THEOLOGY, QUALITATIVE RESEARCH, AND

RESEARCH DESIGN…………………………………………………………………….....21

CHAPTER THREE: AUTOETHNOGRAPHIC DATA, COLLECTION, AND

ANALYSIS……………………………………………………………………………………….34

CHAPTER FOUR: AUTOETHNOGRAPHY AS AN EMBRACE OF PATHOS…….55

CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………………………63

BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………………………..65

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Candler School of Theology
Department	Theological Studies
Degree	M.T.S.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Theology
Palavra-chave	autoethnography Qualitative research practical theology theology reflective theology
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Phillips, Nichole R., Emory University
Committee Members	Pacini, David, Emory University

Última modificação

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Seeking Bliss and Learning to Grieve: A Case for Theological Autoethnography ()	2018-05-09 13:12:33 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions