How do you define spirituality? In Evan Howard's new book, Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality, The (Brazos Introduction)
, we get an opening chp that is devoted to this discussion. Here are his central claims:
According to Howard, there are three dimensions to the use of the word "spirituality" today:
1. A lived relationship with God.
2. A formulation of how we relate to God.
3. A field of study.
It is not the same as mysticism; mysticism refers to special experiences of God while spirituality refers to the whole relationship to God. Sanctification refers to a doctrine but spirituality to a relationship. It is more narrowly focused than religious studies and is not the same as spiritual formation since that expression focuses on the means of maturity -- and again spirituality refers to the whole relationship.
Howard clearly defines his terms and his focus: he sees spirituality primarily in terms of our relationship with God. This book may be the finest study available on an individual's relationship with God.
How would I define "spirituality"? I'd go to bigger ideas and, in particular, to what Paul means by a "spiritual person" vs. a "carnal person." Hence, I'd define spirituality broader: as our relationship to God and the creation of a spiritual/Spirit-ual life wherein we manifest the fruit of the Spirit in both loving God and others and manifest the gifts of the Spirit as God grants them to us for the good of others.
1. A lived relationship with God.
2. A formulation of how we relate to God.
3. A field of study.
It is not the same as mysticism; mysticism refers to special experiences of God while spirituality refers to the whole relationship to God. Sanctification refers to a doctrine but spirituality to a relationship. It is more narrowly focused than religious studies and is not the same as spiritual formation since that expression focuses on the means of maturity -- and again spirituality refers to the whole relationship.
Howard clearly defines his terms and his focus: he sees spirituality primarily in terms of our relationship with God. This book may be the finest study available on an individual's relationship with God.
How would I define "spirituality"? I'd go to bigger ideas and, in particular, to what Paul means by a "spiritual person" vs. a "carnal person." Hence, I'd define spirituality broader: as our relationship to God and the creation of a spiritual/Spirit-ual life wherein we manifest the fruit of the Spirit in both loving God and others and manifest the gifts of the Spirit as God grants them to us for the good of others.
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I appreciate your definition Scot..my version might be something like this: The process/journey/dynamic of relationship of self, others and the Ultimate Other. As a Christian, of course, all of that centers on Christ as revealed in the Great Story and the discovery/ knowing of God and Self and Others through relationship with the Trinity. Is this too culturally specific or limited? Too vague or generic?
I think any definition of Christian spirituality has to contain some notion of outwardness. And, I think the Lutheran doctrine of justification is actually really instructive here, for it is based on a turning away from ourselves to Christ. Indeed, I think that is what makes Christian spirituality almost paradoxical; that is, where many spiritualities focus on an inward journey, ours is one of dying to self, continually turning away from ourselves to Christ, who in turn sends us to others. Spiritual practices, then, are a performance of the story of God. They remind us of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, which compels us to act.
This is interesting. I've never like this term until recently, when I found a definition for it that seemed really useful. Since then, I've used the term, I think, similarly to the way Howard mentions in points 2 & 3, but I tend to use to denote a specific camp's overall approach to life and the world in light of and formed by their beliefs and practices. For example, I may talk about "Reformed Spirituality" as a way of talking about how their theology, practices, values and priorities all combine to shape individual and corporate lives of those in that camp. I might talk about one of the benefits of Reformed Spirituality (their whole approach to God, life, others, etc.) is __________." I've used the term in the same way to talk about "Benedictine Spirituality" or even "AA Spirituality" or "Buddhist Spirituality". I could be completely misusing the term (!), but for me the term talks about how a given group's understandings of God, people, the physical world all fit together into an approach to life, which forms its participants in different ways.
Your Name (#6),
I think what you are describing is not so much spirituality, but rather their practices. Spirituality is certainly part of a given group's practices, and spirituality is certainly instructive on all the things you mention, but I think it is more specifically a subset of a group's practices. Just my two cents.
Spirituality and mysticism is the foundation of all the outward form of all religions. Jesus and Buddha are archetypal holy men as an example for us to live by. The foundation of all mystics is love of other and peacemakers. It is this realization and bringing to fruition the God that lives in all of us. Once god is experienced religion is not needed anymore. Conflicts in religion happens at the external level
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