HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
May 31, 2016
Carter Haynes
12 citations
The article examines how the ideas of Thomas Merton, Carl Jung, Fritz Kunkel, and Viktor Frankl connect psychology and spirituality. It traces themes of human identity, psychological and spiritual transcendence, and the true self versus false self metaphor across their works. The authors suggest that epistemological flexibility and holistic thinking can help interdisciplinary practitioners—such as pastoral counselors, spiritual directors, and spiritually oriented psychotherapists—provide more integrated care. Practical applications, including a vignette and recommendations for deepening personal and professional integrative practice, are offered.
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
June 23, 2020
M. Nel
10 citations
Western academic theology fails to explain the identity and faith culture of African Pentecostals because the movement grew from Pietism and emphasizes holistic effective spirituality, and because it links with African traditional religions and worldview that share aspects of Old Testament realism. African Pentecostalism requires a different language to describe its unique way of doing theology in conjunction with spirituality. The language of mysticism is suitable for explaining this spirituality. Theology and spirituality should mutually inform each other, as in mystical theology, for Pentecostal theology to reflect on the experience of God's involvement. Aspects of Pentecostal spirituality, such as sanctification, affections, ecstatic speech, and personal encounter with the Spirit, demonstrate this relation.
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
August 31, 2022
Richard Alan Northover
5 citations
Arthur Schopenhauer, a 19th-century atheist Romantic philosopher, reinterpreted religious myths—especially Christian ones—through his metaphysical system, which was based on Kant's distinction between phenomena and noumena. He viewed Roman Catholicism as sharing the pessimism and focus on suffering found in Hinduism and Buddhism, contrasting with the alleged optimism of Protestantism, Judaism, and Islam, excepting the myth of the Fall. The crucified Christ symbolized this pessimism. Schopenhauer's ethic of compassion and asceticism aligned with altruistic world religions. The article applies his panpsychist-like philosophy to shamanistic and animistic religions, arguing that his concept of the noumenon as a universal will to life was itself an explanatory myth, making his system contain a myth at its core. His argument may appeal to those dissatisfied with materialism yet unwilling to accept a supernatural order.
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
January 11, 2012
Stephen D. Edwards, David J. Edwards
5 citations
In a small group of 10 practicing Christians who meditated for at least 15 minutes, the meditation process generally moved from body to mind to spirit, with participants reporting increasingly relaxed, contented, and focused states of consciousness marked by Christian Trinitarian imagery, wonder, surrender, peace, bliss, openness, and formlessness. Brainwave recordings showed significant increases in alpha and beta activity from baseline to meditation, along with rising trends in theta and gamma activity and decreasing trends in delta activity, muscle tension, blood volume pulse, and respiration. The findings suggest that brief sessions of Christian Trinitarian meditation may enhance spiritual life and support everyday conscious behavior.
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
March 23, 2015
Francois Wessels
4 citations
Conflict and stuckness arise from actions, behaviors, or events—the 'landscape of action.' Attempts to escape by swapping one set of actions for another, without examining the intentionality or 'why' behind them, often perpetuate the problem. Alternating initiatives in the landscape of action offers only temporary relief. The intentionality behind actions must be revisited, and contemplative practices—such as mindfulness and reflecting on soul—can facilitate this reflection. This is a teleological exercise traversing the dimensions of 'what' (actions), 'how' (methodology), and 'why' (intentionality), drawing on the biology of human decision-making.
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
February 8, 2017
Stephen D. Edwards, David J. Edwards
1 citation
A small pilot study with eight Christian participants found that a Christ-centered contemplation combined with HeartMath techniques was linked to increases in psychophysiological coherence, sense of coherence, spirituality, and health perceptions. Participants reported feelings of peaceful oneness and connection with Christ. The integrative findings suggest Christ consciousness may be a non-dual process of sensing vibrational resonance from the human heart.