Grounded theory approach in sermon analysis of sermons on poverty and directed at the poor as listeners¹

Abstract

The challenge of working with metatheoretical assumptions in a postmodern situation of a plurality of scientific-theoretical approaches is taken up in this article. The question whether the researcher must, in a practical-theological study, begin with theory analysis first or with praxis analysis first, is discussed. In sermon analysis with a grounded theory, abductive approach, the question is whether we have to begin with a blank mind. In order to answer this question the theory-praxis relationship is discussed. This leads to the argument of the article that wherever we begin the researcher cannot work without a theological perspective and in the case of homiletics, without a homiletical-theoretical framework.

The Grounded Theory methodology to conduct content analysis of sermons and interviews: Critique and response

“…This perspective on preaching also guided the decision regarding how to collect documents to be analysed. In my research project of preaching on poverty (Pieterse 2010(Pieterse , 2011(Pieterse , 2013, I needed sermons from Matthew 25:31-46 as the sermon text. The literature study also provided sensitising concepts that help to guide the researcher in the description of the content of the documents in the inductive open coding phase (for more information on these sensitising concepts refer to Pieterse 2011:98).…”

“…Later, Charmaz (2006) strengthened the methodology by adding constructivist methods, and then practical theologians started making use of this method to conduct research in a specific context and a specific problematic situation by means of the three stages of inductive qualitative empirical research to develop an emerging praxis theory derived from practice in that specific problematic situation (cf. Boonstra 2016;Pieterse 1995Pieterse , 2010Pieterse , 2011Pieterse , 2013Pieterse & Wepener 2018;Pleizier 2010;Verweij 2014). Practical theology deals with the study of contemporary contexts where we conduct research on the communication of the gospel in preaching, liturgy, pastoral care and youth work (cathegesis).…”

Healing as transformation and restoration: A ritual-liturgical exploration

“…One of the main reasons the topic of reconciliation was discovered was because of the fact that, during one of the interviews, the interviewer noticed the repeated mention of the word 'restores' or 'restored' by the co-researchers which was also confirmed in the coding process (cf. Pieterse 2010;2012;2013a;2013b). The word 'restores' and its related forms were mentioned 20 times during this and other interviews.…”

“…A process of inductive coding was used in order to identify the core themes recurring in these interviews. In this regard, the work of Pieterse (2010;2012;2013a;2013b) in homiletics and Wepener (2013; cf. also Wepener & Pieterse 2016) in liturgical studies guided the process.…”

Metatheoretical Decisions for the Grounded Theory Research of Sermons on Poverty and to the Poor as Listeners

“…This grounded theory emerges from the data and can then be brought into interaction with current homiletical theories (cf. Charmaz 2006;Immink & Verweij 2007;Immink, Boonstra, Pleizier & Verweij 2009;Pieterse 2010). This way of empirical research works abductively, namely constructing theories for practice moving from an analysis of the praxis to theory.…”