An Integrative Model of Spiritual Formation: Incorporating Practices from Christian Spirituality and Psychotherapy

Abstract

This portfolio presents an integrative approach to Christian spiritual formation that refutes the dualism of the modern era. This dualism, which has dominated the western world for approximately three hundred years, places a sharp divide between the "spiritual" realities - one's relationship with God and its imperatives - and the subjective realities of people's lived experiences. These include, but not limited to, our personal, social, relational, cultural and physical existence, experiences and functioning. As a result of the dominant dualism, these "non-spiritual" realities - which are key components in shaping what I call the contextualized self - are often left out of the process of Christian spiritual formation, as it focuses primarily on a person's relationship with God - one's "spiritual life". [see rest of Abstract in the pdf or txt files]