Pastoral Relationship with People with Intellectual ... - Theses

176The pastorally-based praxis of this extended reflection is inextricablylinked to the fundamental connection of faith and words to action in the OldTestament prophetic tradition (see particularly Isaiah and Amos), along with theNew Testament edict to “do the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) wherebyappropriate ethical behaviour is connected to the outworking of theologicalthought. 485In terms of this extended reflection it is through the prism of liberationtheology that praxis is understood as providing a forum for understandingoppressive influences. It also affords the opportunity to regard the complexity ofrelationships formed as offering the possibility of transformation for all. Areading of pastorally-based liberation theology indicates that while liberation isthere to be experienced by the individual the focus is upon the collectivemarginalised and oppressed people. 486 Likewise, the narratives to be detailed inthe following chapter are to be understood as being representative of peoplerather than individuals.The individual needs to be understood in terms of the collective call forjustice. As feminist theologian Rebecca Chopp indicates, praxis in liberationtheology is “... first the web of relations in which the individual doing and beingis enabled and contained.” 487 It is this perspective that will be expressed in thishermeneutical process.5.5.4 The Nature of Action and ReflectionWithin the overall hermeneutical process, action and reflection are to beregarded from a creative relational perspective. As Freire asserts, when actionand reflection act in union, they “constantly and mutually illuminate each485 Bevans, Models of Contextual Theology. 64.486 See, for example,Boff and Boff, Salvation and Liberation.Gutierrez, A Theology of Liberation.Segundo, The Liberation of Theology.In the Asian context liberation theology finds its equivalent in Minjung theology whichemanated from South Korea in the early 1980s. The word minjung means “the multitude ofthe people” and is closely related to notions of those oppressed, exploited and marginalised.See,Yim, Taesoo. Minjung Theology Towards a Second Reformation. (Chiangmai: ChristianConference of Asia, 2006), 5.Chopp, "Practical Theology and Liberation,” 134.See also,Anderson, In Search of the Disabled Human Body, 35.Here the author refers to the disabled human body living and gaining meaning within thecontext of their society.