Relational Spirituality: A Psychological-Theological Paradigm for Transformation (Christian Association for Psychological Studies)
Overview
While many sanctification models are fragmented and individualistic, the relational paradigm paints a coherent picture of both process and goal, supported by both ancient wisdom and cutting-edge research.
Integrating insights from psychology and theology, this book lays out the basis for relational transformation and how it works practically in the context of relationships and community. Highlighting key characteristics of spiritual communities that foster transformation, Hall and Hall equip spiritual leaders and practitioners to more effectively facilitate spiritual growth for themselves and those they serve.
- Highlights key characteristics of spiritual communities that foster transformation
- Presents the basis for relational transformation and how it works practically
- Integrates insights from psychology and theology
Top Highlights
“When we synthesize recent insights from fields such as trinitarian theology, spiritual theology, attachment theory, affective neuroscience, emotion theory, and interpersonal neurobiology, to name a few, we see common findings that converge on one unified reality and one big idea: human beings are fundamentally relational, reflecting the relational nature of our triune God.” (Page 3)
“From a theological vantage point, a relational spirituality paradigm is showing us more clearly that we are born to love and created to connect.” (Page 4)
“In fact, until the thirteenth century, theology (theologia) was foundationally a deeply experiential way of knowing. There were not distinct terms, such as spirituality, referring to experiential or even mystical knowledge of God on the one hand, and theology, representing academic, conceptual knowledge of God on the other hand.” (Pages 11–12)
“In all he did, Jesus sought to promote the well-being of others and sought union or connection with others. Moreover, he gave his life to make union with God possible, which is our greatest good. In Jesus, we have the ultimate model of love that transforms our natural love into a heavenly realm.” (Page 223)
“The emerging evidence is that insecure attachment hinders, and secure attachment fosters, our capacity to fulfill the greatest commandments of loving God and loving others.” (Page 173)
- Title: Relational Spirituality: A Psychological-Theological Paradigm for Transformation
- Authors: Todd W. Hall, M. Elizabeth Lewis Hall
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Pages: 298
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations › Religious aspects--Christianity; Spiritual formation › Psychology; Christianity › Psychology
- ISBNs: 9780830899579, 9780830851188, 083089957X, 0830851186
- Resource ID: LLS:RLTNLSPRTLTY
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:44:23Z
Todd W. Hall (Ph.D., Biola University, Doctoral specialization, University of California—Los Angeles) is director of the Institute for Research on Psychology and Spirituality, associate professor of psychology, and editor of theJournal of Psychology and Theology at Biola University. He is also the president of Alidade Research (alidaderesearch.com), a research and organizational development consulting firm. Hall developed the Furnishing the Soul Inventory, one of the most widely used measures of Christian spirituality among Christian colleges, Bible institutes and secondary schools in North America. He speaks and consults regularly on spiritual transformation, leadership and organizational development to Christian schools, nonprofits, businesses and churches around the country. Having conducted research on spiritual transformation for over fifteen years, Hall has published extensively on the topic in journals such as the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, Journal of Psychology and Theology, Journal of Psychology and Christianity and Mental Health, Culture and Religion. He is also the author of Spiritual Formation, Counseling and Psychotherapy (Nova Science, 2004).