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PDF and .doc files of the overheads used for this presentation are available from the Christian Spirituality Home Page or from the download page.
Topics (These topics are from Chapter 1 in Christian Spirituality. An Introduction. Alister E. McGrath. Blackwell Publishers, 1999. ISBN: 0631212817)
1.1.1. A Working Definition of Christian Spirituality 1.1.2. Quotes from Other Authors on the Definition of Christian Spirituality 1.2. Mysticism and Spirituality
2.1. Factors Which Shape Spirituality 2.4.1. Introduction 2.4.2. Differences in Aesthetic Sensibilities 2.4.3. Psychological Differences 2.4.4. Sociological Differences 2.5.1. Introduction 2.5.4. Evangelical Protestantism 2.6. Attitudes to the World, Culture, and History 2.6.1. Introduction 2.6.3. Christ and Culture in Paradox 2.6.4. Christ Above Culture, The Transformer of Culture
1.1. What is Spirituality? 1.1.1. A Working Definition of Christian Spirituality "Spirituality" = is derived from Hebrew ruach, which had a range of meanings:
Spirituality then is:
To further flesh out a definition of Christian Spirituality, we may consider the elements that make up Christianity:
Christianity Spirituality is part of our way of life as Christians.
Putting all the above together, we may say:
1.1.2. Quotes from Other Authors on the Definition of Christian Spirituality Here are some quotes from other authors on the definition of Christian Spirituality
... spiritual maturity or spiritual fulfillment necessarily involves the whole person – body, mind and soul, place, relationships – in connection with the whole of creation throughout the era of time. ...spirituality encompasses the whole person in the totality of existence in the world, not some fragment or scrap or incident of a person - William Stringfellow, in Politics of Spirituality, p. 22
Spirituality is a lived experience, the effort to apply relevant elements in the deposit of Christian faith to the guidance of men and women towards their spiritual growth, the progressive development of their persons which flowers into a proportionately increased insight and joy. - George Ganss, in "Introduction" to Ignatius of Loyola, p. 61
Spirituality has to do with our experiencing of God and with the transformation of our consciousness and our lives as outcomes of that experience - Richard O'Brien, in Catholicism, p. 1058
Spirituality ... arises from a creative and dynamic synthesis of faith and life, forged in the crucible of the desire to live out the Christian faith authentically, responsibly, effectively, and fully - Alister McGrath, in Christian Spirituality, p. 9
These quotes emphasize that Spirituality:
To recap: Christianity Spirituality is the quest for a fulfilled and authentic life, that involves
1.2. Mysticism and Spirituality McGrath suggests the word mysticism should probably be avoided, as it has assumed multiple definitions and connotations:
The definition of Mysticism as an approach to faith emphasizing relational, spiritual, experiential aspects of faith, the inner experience of faith = is encompassed in the definition of Spirituality
2.1. Factors Which Shape Spirituality Factors important in shaping Spirituality include:
There are variations in the set of beliefs and values (the theology) of different Christians that can give rise to different Spiritualities Examples:
2.3. Historical Variables History defines the "horizons" of a Christian and the available resources for Spirituality. The spiritualities of men and women of different centuries will be of course influenced and limited by those "horizons" and resources. Examples:
2.4. Personal Variables 2.4.1. Introduction Personal variables that influence types of Spirituality can be subdivided into:
2.4.2. Differences in Aesthetic Sensibilities Differences in aesthetic sensibilities: Examples: different views on what is the "beautiful" language, music, architecture for the worship of God lead to different types of Spirituality
2.4.3. Psychological Differences Psychological differences: Examples:
2.4.4. Sociological Differences Sociological differences includes differences in gender, race, class. Examples:
2.5.1. Introduction While all mainstream Christian denominations share the same core beliefs, there are also differences,
that create opportunities for differing spiritualities
In the following sections, we list some of the denominational differences that can lead to distinctly different "denominational spiritualities" (Catholic Spirituality, Orthodox Spirituality, Protestant Spirituality, Anglican Spirituality).
2.5.2. Catholicism Catholicism
2.5.3. Orthodoxy Orthodoxy
2.5.4. Evangelical Protestantism Evangelical Protestantism
2.5.5. Anglicanism Anglicanism
2.6. Attitudes to the World, Culture, and History 2.6.1. Introduction Views of the relationship between Christianity and culture can be divided into four basic groups:
1 and 4 are the extremes views, the former emphasizing the conflict between Christian faith and culture, the latter affirming a radically positive view of the relationship between Christian faith and culture. 2 and 3 are more "centrist" views.
2.6.2. Christ Against Culture Christ Against Culture In this view, the world is seen as a hostile environment for Christian belief and practice. We should renounce the world, for the Kingdom of God is in conflict with the "secular Behemoth." Examples of this attitude include:
2.6.3. Christ and Culture in Paradox Christ and Culture in Paradox In this view, the world is sometimes in direct conflict with Christian belief and practice, and sometimes not. An authentic Christian life therefore:
2.6.4. Christ Above Culture, The Transformer of Culture Christ above Culture, the Transformer of Culture In this view:
This attitude towards the world and secular culture often includes spiritualities emphasizing a sacramental view of the nature and the Incarnation
2.6.5. Christ of Culture Christ of Culture This view is a strongly positive understanding of the relationship between faith and secular culture Examples:
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