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’n Pastorale ontsluiting van Johannes 11: ’n begeleidingsnarratief
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 40, No 3 | a352 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v40i3.352
| © 2006 J. Steyn
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 30 July 2006 | Published: 30 July 2006
Submitted: 30 July 2006 | Published: 30 July 2006
About the author(s)
J. Steyn, Praktiese Teologie, Universiteit van die Vrystaat, Bloemfontein, South AfricaFull Text:
PDF (132KB)Abstract
A pastoral interpretation of John 11: a guidance narrative
A biblical narrative can provide guidelines to the terminal patient on his/her journey of life. Scripture might not only mirror the narrative of the patient but also provide the key to a deeper understanding of the process of guidance. The narrative of Lazarus from John 11 in this article provides the narrative framework for the unfolding of the process of guidance of a terminal patient. The article illustrates that the pastoral therapist cannot provide clear-cut answers to the patient’s questions in view of the fact that our knowledge is incomplete (1 Col. 13:10). The therapist is but a humble representative of Christ our Lord, our Saviour in life and life hereafter. The narrative from Scripture anew portrayed the focus to be on Christ as the conclusive answer to our narratives in fusion. The life/Life gained for us by Christ our Lord in the end proved to be the only source and perspective of hope and “healing” to the terminal patient.
A biblical narrative can provide guidelines to the terminal patient on his/her journey of life. Scripture might not only mirror the narrative of the patient but also provide the key to a deeper understanding of the process of guidance. The narrative of Lazarus from John 11 in this article provides the narrative framework for the unfolding of the process of guidance of a terminal patient. The article illustrates that the pastoral therapist cannot provide clear-cut answers to the patient’s questions in view of the fact that our knowledge is incomplete (1 Col. 13:10). The therapist is but a humble representative of Christ our Lord, our Saviour in life and life hereafter. The narrative from Scripture anew portrayed the focus to be on Christ as the conclusive answer to our narratives in fusion. The life/Life gained for us by Christ our Lord in the end proved to be the only source and perspective of hope and “healing” to the terminal patient.
Keywords
Guiding; Healing Presence; Narrative Therapy
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