Hermeneutics as a Tool for Pastoral Counseling Theory
Keywords:
2. Hermeneutics, living human document, Charles Gerkin, pastoral counseling theory, chaplaincyAbstract
Hans Georg Gadamer once described hermeneutics as, "The art of being able to listen." As a field that is taught in religious education around the world, hermeneutics may have theoretical and practical significance for those whose occupation is in pastoral care and counseling, as this field hinges on listening to people effectively. This article revisits the ideas of Charles Gerkin's Living Human Document: Re-Visioning Pastoral Counseling in a Hermeneutical Mode, which set forth a vastly underappreciated vision for pastoral counseling, incorporating the spirit and philosophy of hermeneutics. The author applies some of Gerkin's principles to his own lived experience as a hospital chaplain.
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Published
2024-03-08
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