The Christian Identity of Diaconal Work in a Secular Age of Authenticity

This article applies the conceptual framework found in Charles Taylor’s “A Secular Age“ (2007) to the developments within the field of diaconia (Christian Social Practice) in a Danish context. It explores how the conditions of a secular “age of authenticity” may affect the Christian identity of diaconal work. Modern diaconia, which was closely linked to the mobilization of church and civil society in the 19th century, today finds itself in new situation, where Christianity is no longer the common moral and religious framework. In this new context, some diaconal organizations and institutions seem to downplay their ecclesial anchoring and Christian identity and seem to carry out their professional helping action within an immanent and exclusivist humanist framework. The author takes this as an occasion for a more general discussion about whether or not and how this development represents a challenge to the Christian identity of diaconia. This is done by engaging the diaconal theologies of J. Moltmann, Pope Benedict XVI, Christoph Sigrist and Heinz Rüegger with Taylor’s ideas. The article argues that diaconal work should have a distinctive Christian character to provide an integral helping action. If diaconia is understood as an essential expression of the church, then it must retain a marked Christian identity. Diaconia thereby becomes one of the church’s unique and authentic contributions in a pluralistic society