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Quadrant/Type 4: Kingdom
Spirituality
[Speculative (Thinking)/Apophatic (Mystical)]
Agenda or Goal: regeneration of
society
o
Active visionary
o
Seek to build kingdom on
earth
o
Seek to transform society
o
Take responsibility for
change
o
“I pray with my hands and
feet”
o
Often push embarrassing and
difficult issues
o
Have a vision of the ideal
and often very driven
o
Ralph Nader/Joseph Smith type
Danger: Encratism – tunnel vision
on moral and spiritual matters.
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Quadrant/Type 1: Head
Spirituality
[Speculative (Thinking)/Kataphatic (Concrete Imaging)]
Agenda or Goal: renewal of the
worshipping community
o
Emphasis on activity &
corporate gathering
o
More study groups
o
Seeks better sermons
o
Emphasis on help for
vocational life
o
Scripture study & spoken word
important
o
Supports education and
publication of position papers
o
Content is primary importance
o
Seek systematic congruence
between thought & belief
o
Prayer is language or
word-based
Danger: Rationalism – overly
intellectual approach to one’s spiritual life with subsequent loss of
emotion, often perceived as dry and dogmatic. |
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Quadrant/Type 3: Mystic
Spirituality
[Affective (Heartfelt)/Apophatic
(Mystical)]
Agenda or Goal: renewal of the
inner life
o
Seek to hear God rather than
speak to God
o
Aim is spiritual unity with
God
o
“The Journey” satisfies
o
Contemplative, introspective,
intuitive
o
Focus on inner (spiritual)
world
o
View God as indescribable
o
Finds God often through
austerity (hardship) and asceticism (self-denial)
o
Lean toward mystical writings
o
Prayer is wordless, opening
mind and spirit to God
Danger: Quietism – retreat from
the world and others, spiritual isolation and passivity.
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Quadrant/Type 2: Heart
Spirituality
[Affective (Heartfelt)/Kataphatic (Concrete Imaging)]
Agenda or Goal: Personal renewal
o
Worship is all heart
o
Centrality of scripture
combined with charismatic spirituality
o
Thirst for emotionally moving
experience
o
Prefer witnessing,
testimonials
o
Music important in corporate
worship
o
Faith based on heartfelt
intuition
o
“God is real, because I can
feel him in my soul”
o
Prayer is less formal and
usually extemporaneous
o
Personal service to others
accompanied by opportunity to witness
o
Contribute warmth, energy &
freedom
Danger: Pietism – “It us against
the world” attitude; which fails to value the spiritual experiences of
others.
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