ABSTRACT
This chapter describes hermeneutical foundation together with the use of empiricism in the empirical–theological cycle and suggests a distinctive perspective which emerges from authors own evangelical-charismatic commitment. Johannes A. van der Ven considers whether practical theology should be viewed as monodisciplinary – in other words, as the application of theology to situations in church and society. Tillich's assessment of the empirical–analytical approach to experience in theology can be summarized. The empirical research is to be evaluated within the hermeneutical communicative praxis. In addition, a theologia crucis will be used to critique both the use of Scripture and empirical research in the construction of an empirical-theology of charismatic glossolalia. Although Wright is essentially a New Testament historian and theologian, a critical realist epistemology is not unique to Wright and realism has its advocates in the discipline of sociology too. Church history with the aid of historical methods and that culture be understood in the same fashion.
