Youth identity discovery: A theological journey
Any discussion on youth identity would have its focus on identity formation during the adolescent years. Adolescence is universally considered a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that commonly occurs during the period of one’s puberty from to lawful adulthood. Adolescen...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Africajournals
2019-11-01
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| Series: | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_31_vol_100_2019_unisa.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818750426485358592 |
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| author | Rev Dr Garth Aziz |
| author_facet | Rev Dr Garth Aziz |
| author_sort | Rev Dr Garth Aziz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Any discussion on youth identity would have its focus on identity formation during the
adolescent years. Adolescence is universally considered a transitional stage of physical and
psychological development that commonly occurs during the period of one’s puberty from to
lawful adulthood. Adolescence is thus usually associated with the teenage years, however its
physical, psychological, spiritual or cultural expressions very often begin earlier and could
end later. This identity formation has always been closely linked to the developmental theories
used in the various disciplines of the social sciences. While it remains important to collaborate
with the social sciences as dialogue partners as part of the interdisciplinary nature of practical
theology, practical theology has unfortunately become subservient to the social sciences in
this regard. The social sciences argue that identity is about formation through various tasks
and phases resulting in the individuation of the person. The journey of youth identity, however,
is primarily a theological journey seeking answers to existential questions, ‘Who am I?’,
‘Whose am I?’ and ‘What is my purpose?’ In practical theology, adolescence is viewed as a
journey where identity should be a discovery and not a formation as youth identity is found in
the person of Jesus Christ. This article, through the theory and methodology of James E.
Loder, attempts to address the theological significance of already having an identity in Jesus
Christ and it argues that the adolescent journey is not a process of forming an identity, but
rather a journey of discovering that identity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:19:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-821f8dca680a41c9b4aa44d851115241 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2414-3324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:19:29Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | Africajournals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| spelling | doaj.art-821f8dca680a41c9b4aa44d8511152412022-12-21T21:21:16ZengAfricajournalsPharos Journal of Theology2414-33242019-11-01100Youth identity discovery: A theological journeyRev Dr Garth Aziz0Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology University of South AfricaAny discussion on youth identity would have its focus on identity formation during the adolescent years. Adolescence is universally considered a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that commonly occurs during the period of one’s puberty from to lawful adulthood. Adolescence is thus usually associated with the teenage years, however its physical, psychological, spiritual or cultural expressions very often begin earlier and could end later. This identity formation has always been closely linked to the developmental theories used in the various disciplines of the social sciences. While it remains important to collaborate with the social sciences as dialogue partners as part of the interdisciplinary nature of practical theology, practical theology has unfortunately become subservient to the social sciences in this regard. The social sciences argue that identity is about formation through various tasks and phases resulting in the individuation of the person. The journey of youth identity, however, is primarily a theological journey seeking answers to existential questions, ‘Who am I?’, ‘Whose am I?’ and ‘What is my purpose?’ In practical theology, adolescence is viewed as a journey where identity should be a discovery and not a formation as youth identity is found in the person of Jesus Christ. This article, through the theory and methodology of James E. Loder, attempts to address the theological significance of already having an identity in Jesus Christ and it argues that the adolescent journey is not a process of forming an identity, but rather a journey of discovering that identity.https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_31_vol_100_2019_unisa.pdfyouthyouth ministryloderidentity discoveryadolescents |
| spellingShingle | Rev Dr Garth Aziz Youth identity discovery: A theological journey Pharos Journal of Theology youth youth ministry loder identity discovery adolescents |
| title | Youth identity discovery: A theological journey |
| title_full | Youth identity discovery: A theological journey |
| title_fullStr | Youth identity discovery: A theological journey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Youth identity discovery: A theological journey |
| title_short | Youth identity discovery: A theological journey |
| title_sort | youth identity discovery a theological journey |
| topic | youth youth ministry loder identity discovery adolescents |
| url | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_31_vol_100_2019_unisa.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT revdrgarthaziz youthidentitydiscoveryatheologicaljourney |