Developing a Christian Worldview of Spiritual Formation and Growth
Developing a Christian Worldview of Spiritual Formation and Growth
Liberty University
Abstract
This paper looks at how spiritual formation and growth can develop through a person’s lifetime. The goal is to show how modern day human development theories relate to Christlike living. Erikson’s developmental theory and Kohlberg’s moral development theory both give a guide to maturity in a secular worldview. By looking at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we can see God’s directions to living a Christlike life in a Christian worldview. It’s also important to look at the influence of the Holy Spirit in developing a person’s spiritual life. By relating a worldly view of personal development with god’s guidance through scripture and the Holy Spirit, we can show how to live a Christlike life in this world.
Developing a Biblical Worldview for Spiritual Formation and Growth Human development is the fields of studies that “seeks to understand how and why people—all kinds of people, everywhere—change or remain the same over time” (Berger, 2008, p.3). This development occurs in four specific areas; physical, cognitive, psychological, and spiritual. Berger explains that physical, cognitive, and psychological development helps explain why or how a person’s body and mind changes or remains the same over his or her lifetime. Spiritual development or spiritual formation helps explain the spiritual changes through one’s life. The search to understand physical, cognitive, and psychological development is a science. The understanding of the areas of development comes from research, data, and eventually theories born from the data. Developmentalist Erik Erikson and Lawrence Kohlberg both authored theories for how and why a person develops throughout his lifetime (Berger, 2008). Berger explains these theories work to make sense out of the actions of a person through his life span in a secular world viewpoint.
Spiritual formation is an intentional growth in awareness and
Liberty University
Abstract
This paper looks at how spiritual formation and growth can develop through a person’s lifetime. The goal is to show how modern day human development theories relate to Christlike living. Erikson’s developmental theory and Kohlberg’s moral development theory both give a guide to maturity in a secular worldview. By looking at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we can see God’s directions to living a Christlike life in a Christian worldview. It’s also important to look at the influence of the Holy Spirit in developing a person’s spiritual life. By relating a worldly view of personal development with god’s guidance through scripture and the Holy Spirit, we can show how to live a Christlike life in this world.
Developing a Biblical Worldview for Spiritual Formation and Growth Human development is the fields of studies that “seeks to understand how and why people—all kinds of people, everywhere—change or remain the same over time” (Berger, 2008, p.3). This development occurs in four specific areas; physical, cognitive, psychological, and spiritual. Berger explains that physical, cognitive, and psychological development helps explain why or how a person’s body and mind changes or remains the same over his or her lifetime. Spiritual development or spiritual formation helps explain the spiritual changes through one’s life. The search to understand physical, cognitive, and psychological development is a science. The understanding of the areas of development comes from research, data, and eventually theories born from the data. Developmentalist Erik Erikson and Lawrence Kohlberg both authored theories for how and why a person develops throughout his lifetime (Berger, 2008). Berger explains these theories work to make sense out of the actions of a person through his life span in a secular world viewpoint.
Spiritual formation is an intentional growth in awareness and
References: Berger, K. S. (2008). The Developing Person Through the Life Span (7th ed.). New York: Worth. Bramer, P. (2007). Christian Formation: Tweaking the Paradigm. Christian Education Journal, 4(2). Hiebert, P. G. (2008). Transforming worldviews: an anthropological understanding of how people change. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Issler, K. (2010). Six Themes to Guide Spiritual Formation Minisrty Based on Jesus ' Sermon on the Mount. Christian Education Journal, 7(2), 3rd ser. Life Application Study Bible New International Version, Chocolate/tan, European Leather. (1983). Zondervan. Nelson, D. (2004). Bible Knowledge and Moral Judgment: Knowing Scripture and Using Ethical Reasoning. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 13(1). Tate, Y., & Parker, S. (2007). Using Erikson 's Developmental Theory to Understand and Nurture Spiritual Development in Christians. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 26(3).