Developing a Theology of Caring

July 18, 2007 in Caring, Theology by brnathan | 2 comments

I was stopped the other day while putting in some documents for my Discernment profile. The fellow wanted to make a time with me to talk about a theology of caring. I have been pondering over his request. What is a theology of caring. I don’t think I’ve ever sat down and really thought about that concept. We commonly refer to theology as the study of God. However, if we look at the root word theology (theologia) it in essence means the logos (word) of God. Caring is the adjective of ’care’ which is derived from the Middle English word which means sorrow or anxiety. In its adjective form then caring means to have regard for, to attend to, to have an interest in, to have concern for someone or something. A theology of caring then perhaps is best viewed as an understanding of how the logos of God has regard for, attends to, has an interest in or shows concern for someone or something.

It struck me then that in developing a theology of caring one must begin with understanding how the logos of God acts in the world. St John of course wrote and the logos (word) became flesh and tabernacled (dwelt) among us. If we want to understand a theology of caring we simply need to see how Jesus acts in the world. A theology of caring then is expressed in and through the incarnation of God in the world through Christ.

We could look at many examples of the way in which Christ (the logos of God) cared for humanity. This is simply expressed by St Matthew, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the prisoners, welcome strangers, take care of the sick. Perhaps this is the point one begins in developing a theology of caring.

  1. Sheena’s avatar

    Sheena on July 19, 2007 at 9:39 am

    The phrase “theology of caring” stumps me a bit – it seems to be trying to develop a theory and a scientific distance from something which is entirely emotional, subjective, and unscientific. The theology behind love is in Jesus’ greatest commandment “Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength….Love your neighbour as yourself.” The New Testament does expand on love a bit, particularly in 1 Corinthians 13, but I think you need to apply it creatively to each person you come across. As a nurse, and listening to you talk about your adventures with high school kids, I think you have it pretty well down already.

  2. Nathan James’s avatar

    Nathan James on July 19, 2007 at 12:52 pm

    Thanks for your comments Sheena. I think I’m always stumped by people’s need, desire, to develop theories, explanations etc of anything to do with God. God is an experience not something which can be objectified. For example I’m always perplexed at people’s need to explain Trinity, for me, Trinity is Trinity and no amount of analogies to the three forms of water or clover leaves etc will give me an experience of Trinity. Similarly if one asks for a theology of caring I can objecify the act of caring that arises out of my belief in God but it tells you nothing about how my heart feels drawn to the need to care for others which comes out of experiencing and knowing God. Even that as I read it makes no sense.