1. Transformational Conversations
A Theological Framework for the MATUL degree
Finding God (3-6) in a context of oppression (7) through solidarity (8), spiritual power (15,20), advocacy (10), entrepreneurial vision (17), community organization (16-22) - Exodus 3

2. Urban Theological Foundations
Is God or was God?
Is God or does God?
Is God incarnate or cosmic?
Is God a holistic Story teller or a rationalist philosopher?

3. All theologies are Contextual Theologies
Irish Catholic
Italian Catholic = Systematic
German Reformation = Systematic
Latin American Liberation = Justice –Based Theologies
American Evangelical = modernist logical
Slum Pentecostal = Oral theologies

4. Epistemology of MATUL
The MATUL is based of a different understanding of knowledge and theology to that of modernist systematic theology
It does not grow from logical Catholicism
The centre of Jesus’ theological approach was not systematic theology
Systematic theology is one type of contextual theology from Western Europe

5. Transformational Conversations
Developing Oral Theologies
For Oral Cultures
Developing Formal Theologies
From Oral Cultures
In Urban Contexts

6. MATUL Based on Urban Contextual Theology
Poor people are largely oral learners.
They are story-tellers not linear Aristotolean logicians
Jesus reached the poor through oral techniques
Storytelling, parables, proverbs,

7. MATUL Theological Process
Every course in the degree is a theological course
But we utilise a “transformational conversations” approach
We start with situations in the slums and the stories of those situations then reflect on parallel Biblical stories to understand Biblical praxis for those situations

8. Jesus, Paul & Plato
1 Cor 1:30 Paul trained by Gamalial, disciple of Plato and Socrates, as well as Hebrew rabbi
Paul rejects philosophic knowledge approach
Centers on wisdom
Christ is our wisdom
Holy Spirit as centre of revelation

9. Elements of a Web of Belief

10. Part of New Global Theologies
This is part of a trend in developing global theologies around the world in developing nations and represents an information age tribal/global culture 21st century shift.

12. I. Beyond the Pastoral Cycle To Urban Transformation II How to apply this to MATUL research and courses

13. Beyond Dialogue: Transformational Conversations
The Bible is stories (narrative)
Theology is stories
Theology is conversations
Hui for migrant ethnic leaders
2nd generation kids
Role of the theologian as thematizer
The issue, decoding the issue in the midst of the stories in small groups
Integration of the issue

14. Transformational Conversation on an Issue
4. City Transformational Conversation
2.Theological Conversation
3.Postmodern/ Modern City Conversation
The Issue
1.Entrance Stories
Structures as Conversationalists
Interfacing the conversations
5. New Action Story
Biblical Reflection
Theological Analysis
Socio-Economic Analysis

15. Transformational Conversation on Land Rights
4. City Transformational Conversation
2.Theological Conversation
3.Postmodern/ Modern City Conversation
Land Rights
1.Entrance Stories: Violence, Dispossession
Interfacing the conversations:
Engagement with NHA (public theology), Jubilee Year, Research on Latrines (Dignity)
Structures as Conversationalists: Rebuilding Communities, Community Organizations Voicing Biblical Values
5. New Action Stories: Rebuilding, marches, new legislation, comm orgn….
Biblical Reflection on Land and Land Rights, Jubilee, Prophets, Exodus,
Theological Analysis: Brueggeman -3 Movements
Socio-Economic Analysis: UNHabitat Literature, Best Practices, Community Organization,
Cross-nation Legislation

16. Transformational Conversation on an Slum Latrines
4. City Transformational Conversation
2.Theological Conversation
3.Postmodern/ Modern City Conversation
The Issue
1.Entrance Stories
Structures as Conversationalists
Interfacing the conversations
5. New Action Story
Biblical Reflection
Theological Analysis
Socio-Economic Analysis

17. Transformational Conversation on an Entrepreneurship
4. City Transformational Conversation
2.Theological Conversation
3.Postmodern/ Modern City Conversation
The Issue
1.Entrance Stories
Structures as Conversationalists
Interfacing the conversations
5. New Action Story
Biblical Reflection
Theological Analysis
Socio-Economic Analysis

18. Transformational Conversation about psychologically damaged slum children
4. City Transformational Conversation
2.Theological Conversation
3.Postmodern/ Modern City Conversation
The Issue
1.Entrance Stories
Structures as Conversationalists
Interfacing the conversations
5. New Action Story
Biblical Reflection
Theological Analysis
Socio-Economic Analysis

19. Transformational Conversation as a Thesis Framework
4. City Transformational Conversation
2.Theological Conversation
3.Postmodern/ Modern City Conversation
The Issue
1.Entrance Stories
Structures as Conversationalists
Research how structures are speaking.
Interfacing the conversations
5. New Action Story
Working with the church or community organization to act
Biblical Reflection
Theological Analysis
How do the people theologise?
Socio-Economic Analysis
Research indicators
Anthropological analysis

20. Extended Thesis Initial round of research New Action steps
Action reflection 3
Action Reflection2
Action-Reflection1