Diaconia: princípios para a vida cristã pessoal e pública

Abstract

The research object of this thesis is Diakonia: Principles in personal and public Christian life. The proposed challenge is to investigate the theme which for many is usual and doesn’t present any novelty. The goal of the research presents diakonia and its various forms of manifestation in current times, believing that there is still much to be added to and developed in knowledge. Diakonia is a reflection on current times and the practice of serving as a manifestation of a divine practice. The challenges are the reflection that arises upon thinking about society, current Christian community and its urgencies. How to think about the politics behind the diaconal actions and diakonia in the practice of politics? Seeking the center of the issue in spite of the tenuous trench between reason and faith. The provocation is placed faced with serving and the practice of worship in contemporaneity, serving as a diaconal practice with new readings of action, understanding that in the first three centuries the Christians were known for their practice in serving during the great plagues that happened. Understanding that the Christians from the first centuries have much to teach; and the need arises from this point to seek in current times this role so common in the church, yet distant in contemporary society, such as: Diakonia in the NGOs, Diakonia in governmental actions, etc. The Christian institutions need deeper and broader looks to awaken the need to seek forms and methods for capacitating people who have in their interior the awakening to their practice and diaconal actions in serving, with the lightness of volunteerism and are willing to work in the Christian community. This means that all forms of action in benefit of the subject as a social community needs to be planned with the intention of thinking clear and contemporary ways of diakonia, being that the comprehension goes beyond, understanding that their actions are understood as political. This thesis seeks to be carried out according to aspects of Social Work and theology explained in the works of Gisela Beulke in her work, as well as through the works of Fred Bornschein; Rodolfo Gaede Neto and other thinkers in current times. We need to recover the past in order to understand their actions, their involvement and mainly the legacy of their activities which marked history with gestures and many actions of love in their historical context. In this sense one seeks to follow a line of investigation which configures the desire to find the best answers or conflicts, because it doesn’t only promote the comprehension and interpretation of the phenomenon, but comes closer to the meanings which the others give to the practices when one places oneself in a questioning position. It is necessary to highlight that there are no principles or pre-established rules for the realization and investigation of this quest, but it is fundamental that one declares the intentionality of studying the phenomenon. Within this perspective, the knowledge produced is inscribed in the dimension of complexity, with an interdisciplinary look and looking at the possible contributions of theology, seeking comprehension, knowing that this posture is counter the model of knowledge seated in certainties and absolute truths.