Relationality in a digital age : a pastoral theological perspective on the counselling of couples

Abstract

This study investigated relationality within the digital age in order to gain a pastoral theological perspective on the counselling of couples. As the aim of this study was to equip the pastoral counsellor in effective ministry towards couples within the digital age a literature study was done to determine what the context of the digital age consists of and what challenges it offers towards couples' relationships. The research process followed was based on Osmer's (2008) method of practical theological interpretation where normative perspectives concerning relationality were gathered from the book of 1 Peter. Pastoral guidelines were discovered by comparing the results from the literature study to the norms portrayed in 1 Peter. The results of this study showed that pastoral support towards couples can increase in effectiveness when pastoral counsellors understand the context and challenge of the digital age and have the ability to bring contextual realities in hermeneutical conversation with theological normative perspectives that remain true and valid irrespective of ever changing environments.