Practical Theology - First Comprehensive Examination - RETA6100

• Title: Practical Theology - First Comprehensive Examination
• Guaranteed by: Department of Practical Theology (27-PT)
• Faculty: Protestant Theological Faculty
• Actual: from 2025
• Semester: both
• Points: 3
• E-Credits: 3
• Hours per week, examination: 0/0, Ex [HT]
• Capacity: winter:unknown / unknown (unknown); summer:unknown / unknown (unknown)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment; can be fulfilled in the future; you can enroll for the course in winter and in summer semester
• Guarantor: doc. Tabita Landová, Ph.D.; Mgr. et Mgr. Martin Vaňáč, Ph.D.; Mgr. Ondřej Macek, Ph.D.
• Class: elective
• Pre-requisite : RETA6012
• Is pre-requisite for: RETA6024, RETA6042, RETA6034, RETA6021, RETA6041

Annotation

The exam consists of an oral examination in the basic knowledge in the area of ecumenical (practical)
ecclesiology and main practical theological disciplines (especially homiletics, liturgics, pastoral care and
catechetic), acquired during the compulsory and optional courses. The exam presupposes a proper preparation.

Last update: Landová Tabita, doc., Ph.D. (03.10.2025)

Literature

Required Reading

COOPER-WHITE P., COOPER-WHITE M. L. Exploring Practices of Ministry. Minneapolis. MN: Fortress Press, 2014. ISBN 978-1-4514-8893-7

OSMER, Richard. Practical Theology: An Introduction. Eerdmans 2008. ISBN 978-0802817655

Recommended Reading 

GRETHLEIN Ch. An Introduction to Practical Theology: History, Theory, and the Communication of the Gospel in the Present. Baylor University Press 2016. ISBN 978-1-4813-0517-4

BUSH J. E. Practical Theology in Church and Society [online]. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, [2016] [cit. 2020-03-26]. ISBN 978-1-4982-8274-1. In: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=shib&custid=s1240919&direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1339963&site=eds-live&scope=site&lang=cs

HETINK, Gerben. Practical Theology: History, Theory, Action Domains: Manual for Practical Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999 (translated from the Dutch, 1993).

READER J. Reconstructing Practical Theology: the Impact of Globalization [online]. London: Routledge, [2016] [cit. 2020-03-26]. Explorations in practical, pastoral and empirical theology. ISBN 978-0-7546-6660-8. In: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=shib&custid=s1240919&direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1480159&site=eds-live&scope=site&lang=cs

·      WARD, Pete. Introducing Practical Theology. Mission, Ministry and the Life of the Church. Baker Academic 2017.

Last update: Landová Tabita, doc., Ph.D. (05.10.2025)

Requirements to the exam

Examination Topics

1. Foundations of Practical Theology
   – The fundamental tasks, subject matter, and methodological approaches of practical theology as a theory of Christian practice.

2. Sub-Disciplines and Their Interrelations
   – An overview of the major sub-disciplines within practical theology and how they relate to and inform one another.

3. Key Christian Practices
   – A focus on core practices such as worship, preaching, pastoral care, and Christian education.
   – An examination of their theological significance, functions, and confessional variations.

4. Contemporary Challenges in Christian Practice
   – An exploration of ecclesiastical, pastoral, theological, and spiritual responses to current issues affecting Christian communities.

5. Current Professional Practical-Theological Discourse
   – Identification and analysis of several key areas of contemporary academic and professional debate in practical theology.
   – Critical engagement with relevant scholarly literature.

6. Confessional Diversity and Ecumenism
   – An understanding of confessional diversity and the pursuit of unity through ecumenical dialogue and cooperation.

Last update: Landová Tabita, doc., Ph.D. (03.10.2025)