Louw, D.J. (Dirk Jakobus)2011-01-072011-01-071999Louw, DJ 1999, 'Pastoraat as vertolking : Metaforiese teologie binne die konteks van 'n pastorale hermeneutiek', HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies, vol. 55, no. 2&3, pp. 334-359.0259-9422 (print)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/15503Spine cut of Journal binding and pages scanned on flatbed EPSON Expression 10000 XL; 400dpi; text/lineart - black and white - stored to Tiff Derivation: Abbyy Fine Reader v.9 work with PNG-format (black and white); Photoshop CS3; Adobe Acrobat v.9 Web display format PDFA hermeneutics of pastoral care should be viewed as a theological issue. Hence the importance of God-language and the naming of God in pastoral care. The underlying assumption is that inappropriate images of God have a hampering effect on faith experiences. It is, therefore, important that a hermeneutics of pastoral care should probe into the meaning dimension of God-images in order to instil hope and foster spirituality. Four biblical metaphors are discussed: shepherd, servant, paraclete and wisdom. Our choice, within the context of postmodernity, is for the metaphor "God as Friend". It conveys not only the compassion of God, but also the covenantal intimacy and faithfulness of God (God as "Soul Friend" within "koinonia").AfrikaansFaculty of Theology, University of PretoriaMetaphorical theologyHermeneuticsGod-languagePastoral careHermeneutics -- Religious aspectsCounseling -- Religious aspects -- ChristianityExperience (Religion)Article