An Interreligious Comparative Study on The Pastoral Metaphor as The Theological Basis of Spiritual Care and Counseling

Abstract

The concept of 'shepherding,' which holds increasing significance in the field of pastoral care and counseling, constitutes the foundation of spiritual counseling in the West. Examining this concept from an interreligious perspective, ranging from etymology to theology, contributes to a deeper understanding of spiritual care and guidance practices. This study addresses the function and importance of the shepher metaphor in the context of spiritual counseling in both Christianity and Islam. The research, conducted through document analysis, identifies the fundamental elements of spiritual counseling practice. This article not only adds to the existing literature but also provides a new perspective on the theological and cultural development of the field often referred to as spiritual counseling and guidance. The relationship between the concept of shepherding and the fundamental principles of spiritual care and counseling is an important topic that needs to be examined in light of contemporary social and cultural changes. By deeply analyzing the role of the shepherding concept in the field of spiritual counseling and guidance, this article points out the similarities and differences of the concept in Christianity and Islam. Therefore, this study serves as a valuable resource for future research in the field of spiritual counseling and guidance.

Keywords

• Pastoral Care and Counseling
• Islam
• Christianity
• Spiritual Care
• Shepherding Metaphor

Manevi Bakım ve Danışmanlığın Teolojik Temeli Olarak Çoban Metaforu Üzerine Dinlerarası Karşılaştırmalı Bir İnceleme

Öz

Manevi bakım ve danışmanlık alanında giderek artan öneme sahip olan 'çobanlık' kavramı, Batı'da manevi danışmanlığın temelini oluşturmaktadır. Bu kavramın, etimolojiden teolojiye kadar dinler arası bir perspektifle incelenmesi, manevi bakım ve rehberlik pratiklerinin derinlemesine anlaşılmasına katkı sağlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Hristiyanlık’ta ve İslam’da çobanlık metaforunun manevi danışmanlık bağlamındaki işlevi ve önemi ele alınmıştır. Doküman analizi yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilen araştırma, manevi danışmanlık pratiğinin temel unsurlarını belirlemektedir. Bu makale, mevcut literatürdeki bilgilerin yanı sıra, bazen manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik olarak adlandırılan alanın teolojik ve kültürel bağlamdaki gelişimine yeni bir bakış açısı getirmektedir. Çünkü çobanlık kavramının, manevi bakım ve danışmanlığın temel prensipleriyle olan ilişkisi, günümüz toplumsal ve kültürel değişimlerin ışığında incelenmesi gereken önemli bir konudur. Bu makale, akademik literatüre çobanlık kavramının manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik alanındaki rolünü derinlemesine inceleyerek kavramın Hristiyanlık’ta ve İslam’daki benzerlik ve farlılıklarına işaret etmektedir. Dolayısıyla, bu çalışma, manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik alanındaki araştırmalara katkı sağlayacak bir kaynak niteliği taşımaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Manevi Danışmanlık ve Rehberlik
• İslam
• Hristiyanlık
• Manevi Bakım
• Çobanlık Metaforu

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