Papers by Robert H Munson
Philippine Journal of Religious Studies, 2024
The article explores the role of language as it pertains to the development of localized theology... more The article explores the role of language as it pertains to the development of localized theology, and its interaction with voices from the global church. The article suggests that there is need for localized theology developed in both the language and context of the people, as well as a global theology in international languages. The article emphasizes the role of pastors and missionaries, particularly, to serve as a cultural and theological bridge between the "ivory tower" of theological academia, and the voices of the local church.
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The article describes research done in 2007 in Baguio City, Philippines. It looks at the attitude... more The article describes research done in 2007 in Baguio City, Philippines. It looks at the attitudes of local High School students regarding horror movies and pop-culture supernatural beliefs. Survey and interview research was done to examine their interests, beliefs, and fears in this area. The research showed a strong interest in horror movies and in uncertainty as to the reality of several supernatural entities or concepts. The findings were compared with Paul's address to the Athenians in Acts 17 to consider whether horror films may be a theologically acceptable and useful vehicle to initiate missional dialogue with youth.
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Christian missions has, in recent decades, focused on how to minister to oral cultures. Stories, ... more Christian missions has, in recent decades, focused on how to minister to oral cultures. Stories, particularly narratives from the Bible, have a prominent role in this-normally with focus placed on high correlation with the Biblical text. This paper explores midrash, stories that interpret Scripture, as to their role in oral cultures. The paper proposes that midrash has value for group theological reflection in oral cultures, with suggestions for framing, in terms of timing or format, so that interpretive stories are not seen as canon by hearers.
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Bukal Life Journal, 2022
Article looks at the intersection of the clinical pastoral care movement and the mission orality ... more Article looks at the intersection of the clinical pastoral care movement and the mission orality movement in storying. The importance of storying is noted in both movements with particular attention place on its role in theological reflection.
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Bukal Life Journal, 2022
Publication of Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center, Baguio City, Philippines. Bukal Life Journal ... more Publication of Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center, Baguio City, Philippines. Bukal Life Journal publishes papers and shorter works that relate to Pastoral Care, Pastoral Counseling, and Pastoral Theology
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... go-betweens in trade through Central Asia. The Sogdians interacted with many diverse groups t... more ... go-betweens in trade through Central Asia. The Sogdians interacted with many diverse groups that did not know each other. During the first millennium, many of the Sogdian merchants wereChristian, and had hymns in their own language, while saying liturgy in Syriac.6 ...
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Small groups are diverse in the way they are done. Spiritual growth group dynamics is well matche... more Small groups are diverse in the way they are done. Spiritual growth group dynamics is well matched with developing and challenging growing believers for genuine spiritual formation and transformation, leading to Christ- likeness. Effective use of spiritual growth group dynamics is a useful aid in developing mature believers who can effectively interact within the larger Christian community. Considering the problem that the church has had with spiritual formation of adults, groups utilizing the structure of growth groups and focus on spirituality should be a key part of the answer.
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This paper considers the challenge of defining the term missionary in a way that is useful--- nei... more This paper considers the challenge of defining the term missionary in a way that is useful--- neither excessively broad nor narrow in scope. It is suggested that rather than focusing on a definition for determining who is a missionary, which ultimately places attention on the boundaries of the term, a better choice is to focus on exemplars of missionaries. In an attempt to do this, the paper suggests that the pattern of apostles and evangelists of the first three centuries of church history provides such an exemplar. More specifically, since Paul and Barnabas are the most well-known and well-described of this group of ministers, they can serve as the exemplars for this group, and ultimately for modern missionaries. The purpose of this paper is not to determine who is a missionary and who is not, but rather utilize these exemplars to critique modern definitions of the term missionary. Through this, the author believes that a better understanding of the center, rather than the boundaries, of Christian missionaries and missions can be better understood.
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This article is a modest rewrite of Chapter 10 (“Staying Behind”-- Theology of Anti-Missions) of ... more This article is a modest rewrite of Chapter 10 (“Staying Behind”-- Theology of Anti-Missions) of his book, still in editing, ““Walking With” as Metaphor for Missions Theology.” The section covered in this article looks at a few different aspects from Church History where Christian Missions were ignored or actively opposed. The focus is on the underlying theological perspectives that led to this behavior.
The topic is of course far too big to be covered in a short article, so consider it a gathering of a few examples to support the overall thrust of the article.
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This paper considers the practical role of chaplains, as religious professionals, serving within ... more This paper considers the practical role of chaplains, as religious professionals, serving within the setting of a disaster, whether natural or man-made. While religion is often considered in terms of structures or individual belief, its sociological function is key in recovery from disasters. Religion provides an interpretation for crises of the past, as well as perspective for addressing the uncertainties of the future. Disaster response chaplains utilize pastoral care, informed by social sciences, to provide short-term guiding, sustaining, healing, and reconciling. Disaster Response Chaplains recognize that there are religious resources within the community and individuals to aid recovery. This paper takes a few "snapshots" of experiences with various disasters in recent years in the Philippines to identify key insights regarding the appropriate roles of chaplains within the context of disasters. In many communities the primary source for social healing is found within its religious institutions. Many communities, in fact, lack alternative resources. Unfortunately, these local religious resources are in a state of crisis as well in times of community disaster. Thus, chaplains as outsiders, provide a needed role in pastoral care until the time that local human and institutional assets are able to function properly. Does religious care have a place in times of crisis? Disaster Response Chaplains serve based on the presumption that the answer is "Yes" and that both the faith of an individual and of a community may aid in healing after a natural disaster. Such a role does not depend necessarily on the specific religion or faith, but in the function of religion within a culture. According to Bronislaw Malinowski, religion provides two major sociological functions. First, it provides a system for dealing with the unknown future. Second, it provides answers for a community in times of crisis. These two functions, then, are directly applicable after a natural disaster. The latter function provides perspective and meaning for the disaster crisis. The former function gives perspective for dealing with the unknowns in the return to (a new) normal. 1 A noted cultural trait of Filipinos is their strong religious fervor and faith. As individuals, they have a strong belief in the divine. Most commonly, this faith is more than just expressed as individuals, but in community as well. Such faith is commonly identifiable in structured communities of faith, or organized religion. But even those who do not identify themselves as religious often see themselves as spiritual and seek comfort in the divine. The following are a few snapshots of disaster response that, perhaps, will be instructive in the role of faith and disaster response chaplaincy in the healing of individuals and communities after a disaster.
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This article has the modest goal of suggesting that the Japanese aesthetic concept of Wabi Sabi m... more This article has the modest goal of suggesting that the Japanese aesthetic concept of Wabi Sabi may provide a useful metaphor for Christian perfection. As such, it is neither an exegetical or theological study of Christian perfection, nor an in-depth look at aesthetic theory. Rather, in seeing the traditional tendency to link " perfection " to both the ethical and to the aesthetic, the author suggests that a view of perfection that, ironically, embraces transience, impermanence, and imperfection may provide a healthier foundation for Christian life and growth. " Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect, " (Matthew 5:48). Located in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:48 is perhaps the most challenging command in a sermon of challenging commands. This challenge is mitigated by two interpretative issues. First, the Greek word translated as " perfection " is teleios. This term has numerous meanings. Aristotle, several centuries prior to the penning of Matthew, gave three understandings of the term in Classical Greek. One suggests something that is unimprovable. This is most in line with the English concept of perfection. The other definitions suggest completeness (needing nothing additional), or fully functional (achieving the purpose for which it was created). These latter two understandings of the Greek term are far less " perfect " than the English term would denote. 1 Second, in the parallel passage, Luke 6:26, the term used is not teleios, but oiktirmos. This term could be defined as compassionate. If both Greek terms inform the same original message, then Jesus was indicating something less than flawless perfection in Matthew. Jonathan Pennington understands teleios in terms of " wholehearted orientation to God, " rather than a state of sinlessness. 2 Word studies only take one so far, but it is pretty clear that aspects of the locus of meanings of the English term " perfection " misinform Jesus' command. Christian perfection is a concept that has bred considerable controversy over the centuries. According to Lewis Sperry Chafer, terms commonly translated in the Bible as " perfection or perfect " are used in seven different ways. The first two relate to the ultimate perfecting of the individual or of the church in heaven. These come the closest to the common-sense understanding of the term " perfection. " The other five usages according by Chafer do not suggest this – perfection is either progressive, limited, or pointing to a less superlative quality such as maturity or sincerity. 3 Perfection as a Christian concept matters on the basis of Biblical exegesis or theological reflection, but perhaps moreso due to the perception of many that perfection is a goal for Christians. This, however, begs two questions. Firstly, how is perfection perceivable by Christians? Secondly, what goal or goals could be described by the term " perfection? " The two questions are linked, since one cannot aim at a target unless one knows what the target is, and one cannot reliably hit a target unless it is seen clearly. Metaphor The challenge of perceivability of perfection is real because perfection is an abstract concept, and is outside of our experience. In fact, even if we saw something that was perfect, it would be unlikely that we have the capability to identify its perfection. Christians, like humanity in general, struggle with
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This paper looks at the challenges involved in church-initiated wholistic community development i... more This paper looks at the challenges involved in church-initiated wholistic community development in the Philippines. Much has been said about community development, wholistic community development,and even wholistic community development in the Philippines. However, information on work that is church-initiated within the Philippines is lacking. Understanding the challenges of church-initiated wholistic community development in the Philippines may lead to corrective measures. Along with literary research, interviews were done with several practitioners of community development in the Philippines.Ten individuals were interviewed involved with different aspects of community development, providing a wide range of experience and involvement. The results of this research are in no sense complete or unabridged. Rather they focus on issues that have been brought up and emphasized by both researchers and practitioners in wholistic community development.
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This article is based on the structural component of the dissertation, “Strategic Use of Medical ... more This article is based on the structural component of the dissertation, “Strategic Use of Medical Mission Events in Long-Term Local Church Outreach: A Consultant-Style Framework for Medical Mission Practitioners in the Ilocos Region, Philippines.” The research was built around semi-structured interviews of individuals involved in medical missions in the Philippines, particularly in the Ilocos Region of Norther Luzon. Nineteen such individuals were interviewed, including medical professionals, medical ministry organizers, and church leaders. The interviews were analyzed utilizing grounded theory analysis, a form of qualitative analysis that focuses on developing a model based on multiple perspectives of a phenomenon.
Analysis of the interview sources led to a visual model, the Medical Mission Structural Model. It is put in an organic form—-a trillium (or three-petaled flower). One flower is shown as healthy with the acronym “REAL” making up the parts of the flower. R is the center of the flower, with E, A, and L comprising the petals. “REAL” (or successful) medical missions have Right Motives, Effective Partnering, Active Community Participation, and Long-term Presence. With proper understanding of the terms, this model can be used to show visually what happens when key components of a medical mission are missing. Another form of the Structural Model is when the opposite occurs. The flower structure forms the acronym “WILT,’ and is shown as a weak or dying plant. Medical Missions WILT (fail) when they have Wrong Motives, Ineffective Partnering, Lack of Community, and Temporary Planning. Wrong Motives takes the center of the flower while the other letters comprise the petals. This model is meant to provide a memorable form for use in training and troubleshooting medical missions.
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This paper considers the role of anthropology, particularly
cultural anthropology, and its import... more This paper considers the role of anthropology, particularly
cultural anthropology, and its importance in theology. Utilizing some of the
ideas of Hans Frei, the paper also supports the greater importance of
cultural analysis of sacred texts over historical analysis, and, utilizing the
terms of Frei, the value of a hermeneutic of description over a hermeneutic
of suspicion. This paper supports the idea that all theology is contextual
and thus gains from the study of the culture in which the theologies is
embedded.
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This paper has the dual purpose of helping to understand the so called "Nestorian" missionary mov... more This paper has the dual purpose of helping to understand the so called "Nestorian" missionary movement of the first millenium in Asia, and see the relevance of this movement for the Church and missions today.
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This paper utilizes some of the literary research utilized in the grounded theory study dissertat... more This paper utilizes some of the literary research utilized in the grounded theory study dissertation of missions work titled: STRATEGIC USE OF MEDICAL MISSION EVENTS IN LONG-TERM LOCAL CHURCH OUTREACH: A CONSULTANT-STYLE FRAMEWORK FOR MEDICAL MISSION PRACTITIONERS IN THE ILOCOS REGION, PHILIPPINES.This article looks at change of priorities and practices in mission work based on the range of valid mission practices and changes in the human condition in time. This article seeks to show that development of missions priorities and practices is a creative process, rather than discovery of “one true method.” Medical missions is used as an example case to demonstrate that there are many forms of ministries that may be valid, and many changes in the human condition over time that effects proper prioritization and best practices.
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This article looks at the Biblical story in I Kings 19 as a response to a crisis event in the lif... more This article looks at the Biblical story in I Kings 19 as a response to a crisis event in the life of the prophet Elijah. It notes a correlation between God's actions pertaining to Elijah's crisis response and present-day methods of crisis response. In this article, the focus is on correlation with the NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance) method for one-on-one crisis response.
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Drafts by Robert H Munson
This article reviews the work of Fr. J. Albert Dalton in his role of initiating Clinical Pastoral... more This article reviews the work of Fr. J. Albert Dalton in his role of initiating Clinical Pastoral Education in the Philippines. The CPE movement was inaugurated on June 7, 1965 and this article looks at Dalton's role, and a few others in this major step in Pastoral Care in the Philippines
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Papers by Robert H Munson
The topic is of course far too big to be covered in a short article, so consider it a gathering of a few examples to support the overall thrust of the article.
Analysis of the interview sources led to a visual model, the Medical Mission Structural Model. It is put in an organic form—-a trillium (or three-petaled flower). One flower is shown as healthy with the acronym “REAL” making up the parts of the flower. R is the center of the flower, with E, A, and L comprising the petals. “REAL” (or successful) medical missions have Right Motives, Effective Partnering, Active Community Participation, and Long-term Presence. With proper understanding of the terms, this model can be used to show visually what happens when key components of a medical mission are missing. Another form of the Structural Model is when the opposite occurs. The flower structure forms the acronym “WILT,’ and is shown as a weak or dying plant. Medical Missions WILT (fail) when they have Wrong Motives, Ineffective Partnering, Lack of Community, and Temporary Planning. Wrong Motives takes the center of the flower while the other letters comprise the petals. This model is meant to provide a memorable form for use in training and troubleshooting medical missions.
cultural anthropology, and its importance in theology. Utilizing some of the
ideas of Hans Frei, the paper also supports the greater importance of
cultural analysis of sacred texts over historical analysis, and, utilizing the
terms of Frei, the value of a hermeneutic of description over a hermeneutic
of suspicion. This paper supports the idea that all theology is contextual
and thus gains from the study of the culture in which the theologies is
embedded.
Drafts by Robert H Munson
The topic is of course far too big to be covered in a short article, so consider it a gathering of a few examples to support the overall thrust of the article.
Analysis of the interview sources led to a visual model, the Medical Mission Structural Model. It is put in an organic form—-a trillium (or three-petaled flower). One flower is shown as healthy with the acronym “REAL” making up the parts of the flower. R is the center of the flower, with E, A, and L comprising the petals. “REAL” (or successful) medical missions have Right Motives, Effective Partnering, Active Community Participation, and Long-term Presence. With proper understanding of the terms, this model can be used to show visually what happens when key components of a medical mission are missing. Another form of the Structural Model is when the opposite occurs. The flower structure forms the acronym “WILT,’ and is shown as a weak or dying plant. Medical Missions WILT (fail) when they have Wrong Motives, Ineffective Partnering, Lack of Community, and Temporary Planning. Wrong Motives takes the center of the flower while the other letters comprise the petals. This model is meant to provide a memorable form for use in training and troubleshooting medical missions.
cultural anthropology, and its importance in theology. Utilizing some of the
ideas of Hans Frei, the paper also supports the greater importance of
cultural analysis of sacred texts over historical analysis, and, utilizing the
terms of Frei, the value of a hermeneutic of description over a hermeneutic
of suspicion. This paper supports the idea that all theology is contextual
and thus gains from the study of the culture in which the theologies is
embedded.
In this thesis, rectangular specimens of a polyester matrix glass-reinforced pultruded composite sheet are subjected to both static tensile loading and creep loading at different temperatures. Of these specimens, some are unnotched, while others have holes of different sizes in them. In this way, short-term creep rupture and notch sensitivity can be determined as a function of tensile strength and temperature. The results reveal a creep rupture behavior that diverges somewhat from standard power law models. Additionally, creep notch sensitivity was shown to mirror closely static tensile notch sensitivity.