CHAPTER 2: A PRACTICAL THEOLOGICAL METHODOLOGY 73 The objective of my research aligns with one of the goals of Theological Action Research in the sense that it intends to highlight the voices depicted in the lower half of Figure 2 in order to grant them their proper place in the broader theological debate. This objective is part of the bigger aim: finding ways to promote a fruitful dialogue between theological voices in order for them to mutually inform and correct each other. The current study, therefore, is explicitly meant as an addition to, and enrichment of, the debate about the place of the Eucharist within the ecumenical process. It is by nomeans an effort to downplay the significance of the other voices. As such, the current study intends to ‘give voice’ to the theologies embedded in the practice of Taizé and Bose (operant theology) and, especially, the articulation of their beliefs, as expressed by some of the members of these communities in the conducted interviews (espoused theology).192 In line with the ambition of TAR, this study intends the following: [T]o glimpse the unfolding reality of church in the faithful discipleship of its members, and make this a formative and consistent ‘voice’ within the ecclesiological debates that, too often, abstract and idealize church in ways difficult to connect with ongoing church life.193 192 Annemarie Dillen notes that “the two last voices, especially ‘operant theology’, relate to what others would call ‘lived religion’.” Dillen, “Lived Religion,” 23. 193 Cameron et al., 151 (drawing on Healy, Church, World, and the Christian Life). NORMATIVE THEOLOGY Scriptures The creeds Official church teaching Liturgies The theology embedded within a group’s articulation of its beliefs ESPOUSED THEOLOGY The theology embedded within the actual practices of a group OPERANT THEOLOGY FORMAL THEOLOGY The theology of theologians Dialogue with other disciplines Figure 2: Four Voices of Theology. Cameron et al., Talking about God in Practice, 54.
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