A Mature FaithA Mature Faith is an attempt to develop an anthropology for pastoral care and counseling which deals with both Christian perspective and important data from the human sciences, such as psychology. This book presents an integrative approach which views spirituality and our human quest for meaning as central to a psycho-pastoral approach. A doctrine of persons is designed which deals with both the dimension of creation (image of God) and of salvation (the new being in Christ). This book argues for an understanding of human beings in terms of their human identity before God (Coram Deo) as well as the empowerment of persons by the gift and fruit of the Spirit. Hence the importance of a pneumatological perspective on maturity and adulthood. The interplay between God-images and our human selfunderstanding is discussed. In this regard the question about diagnosis in pastoral counseling and the technique of storytelling receive attention. A pastoral hermeneutics which tries to understand our human predicament in terms of both the social and cultural context as well as our relationship with God is fundamental to the models presented in this book. In spiritual direction, the basic assumption is that God-images and the implication of different perceptions of God on life issues should play a decisive role. In terms of our human quest for meaning within a secularized society, the following metaphor for God is proposed: God as our "Soul Friend". The book is written for priests, ministers and pastoral caregivers involved in counseling and spiritual direction. Its main focus is on professional training within an academic setting. It will also be useful for the training of lay members within a congregational setting. |
Contents
ANTHROPOLOGY IN A THEOLOGY | 15 |
New Developments | 27 |
Spirituality and | 33 |
Soteriology | 40 |
in the Image of God Creaturehood | 57 |
the Function of Christology in Theological | 63 |
the Ambivalence and Unity of Being Human | 76 |
Spirituality and the Transcendental | 92 |
Person | 113 |
Maturity in Faith and the EmbodimentEnfleshment | 123 |
Pastoral Model | 145 |
Understanding of Maturity Adulthood | 155 |
Design for a Psychology of Grace | 193 |
Pastoral Care and Psychology | 227 |
Godimages | 246 |
Bibliography | 301 |
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Common terms and phrases
analysis approach assessment awareness Barth basic becomes believers character Christ Christian anthropology Christian faith Christology components concept conscience context covenantal created creation cultural describes determined dimension dynamic effect emotions eschatological ethical Eusebeia existential factor focus focuses functions gifts God-images God's growth guilt healing Hence his/her Holy Spirit human existence Ibid identity implies important role incarnation inculturation indicates influence integration interplay interpretation issues knowledge linked living mature faith metaphors moral nature needs norms notion panentheism pastoral anthropology pastoral care pastoral diagnosis pastoral encounter pastoral hermeneutics pastoral theology person perspective phenomenological play pneuma pneumatology psyche psychic psychology of grace psychology of religion psychotherapy quest for meaning question reality reflect regarding relation relationship religion religious experiences result resurrection reveals salvation salvific sanctification Scripture self-actualization social soteriology soul spiritual direction symbols theological anthropology theonomous therapy tion toral transcendence transcendental transformation understanding unique values virtues