Embodied Spiritualities

Abstract

The article addresses methodological issues in diaconia research by picking up some fundamental insights from phenomenology, especially the traditions from Sara Ahmed and Bernhard Waldenfels. By presenting recent diaconia research the author claims that the phenomenological conception of the human as always a humanbeing- in-the-world should be taken as a basic human conception also in diaconia research. Phenomenology analyzes human beings as related philosophically, not theologically. However, presenting different kinds of human relations as a basic part of what diaconia is about, diaconia research will be able to discuss what the author calls a concept of a generous Christianity.

Keywords

• methodology
• phenomenology
• empathy
• sensibilities
• ecclesiology
• ethnography
• scandinavian creation theology