Session #7, "Soul Care", (Benner & Moon text, pp. 7-77)

Session #7, "Soul Care", (Benner & Moon text, pp. 7-77)

1) Conversion-->the WTS theological theme for Academic Year 2007-08 is described as one the three stages of spiritual formation when the disciple is maturing (p. 20). How does conversion relate, correspond, and differ from spiritual formation?

I would argue that conversion and spiritual formation could be viewed as opposite sides of the same coin, that being, entering into a personal relationship with God by embracing and accepting Christ as Lord. Experiencing God through Christ leads to conversion which however is a beginning step, but the ongoing process of getting to know God intimately is the goal of our spiritual journey. Intimacy with God is accomplished through the spiritual disciplines of praying, studying the scriptures, cleansing the soul by denouncing anything in us that is not like Christ, learning to embrace God’s love and sense his presence in the world as we share his love through acts of kindness and Christian service in the world. While coming to have a relationship with God through Jesus is the first step, knowing God and who we are in Christ becomes a lifelong journey that can only be obtained through such spiritual disciplines as those afore mentioned, to name a few. Spiritual formation is about “becoming” and “maturing” spiritually as we develop into mature disciples, able to discern God’s presence and his will for us within the context of life.

2) Contrast the roles of the spiritual father (Orthodox) and spiritual director (Roman Catholic) in the life of the church.

Spiritual father (Orthodox) is seen as “one who gives birth to the life of the Spirit in the spiritual child.” There is this dependency on the father (abba) or spiritual director that almost seems to be on par with being dependent on God Himself. Orthodox Christianity sees the sacraments of baptism and confession as the foundation for spiritual life. (Benner pg 32) In listening to confessions, the father plays a pivotal role in leading the “seeker” or “directee” to experience a deeper meaningful relationship with God. Dependency on the father as the conduit for obtaining spiritual formation gives the father quite a bit of authority over the life of the believer. It was essential that the seeker find someone who had taken the journey and place themselves in subjection and submission to their leading.

By contrast, spiritual director (Roman Catholic) is less authoritative and does more leading and asking questions of the directee in the process of spiritual direction. For example, in the Orthodox tradition, the father would listen to the seeker but pretty much tell the him/her what specific disciplines were needed to resolve a specific issue. In contrast, the spiritual director in the Roman Catholic tradition might ask the directee or seeker open ended questions that would lead the seeker to discovering what they discerned or sensed that God was saying to them in the situation through prayer and scripture. I find spiritual direction under the Roman Catholic influence to be more laity friendly as lay folk are encouraged to seek promotion to the level of spiritual director.

Calhoun, Part 4, Memorization

Hiding God's Word in our hearts will provide many benefits and blessings. Renew your mind by cleansing and transforming the Limbic System in our brains-->memorize and meditate on a brief passage of Scripture for the next 41 days. Record your experience after one week of memorization. Recall your memorized passage in times of prayer, frustration, relaxation, and worship.


"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Matthew 17:5 [KJV])

What a blessing it has been for me to have hid this word in my heart. It has been both a sort of spiritual “security blanket” and a shield from fiery darts. The latter part of the verse, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” has been both comforting and assuring in knowing that I too am God’s son. Just being able to say in my prayers to God, “Thanks for accepting me” has enabled me to rise above encounters that would have otherwise been painful. Memorizing scriptures, particularly scriptures that make statements about who we are in Christ and that God’s accepts us is a liberating experience. I felt a sense of freedom in worship this Sunday, particularly when it came to leading worship and preaching. The imagery is that this text gives is that of a son who has learned his father’s trade or his father’s business, being given public approval by the father that he has arrived. For me that is something that I needed to hear again. Yesterday, March 9th I turned 45 in reverse. “Happy birthday” to me. When I got home and opened my e-mail and there was an e-card waiting for me that echoed that same positive theme. God heard my prayers and my desire and sent me an e-mail to that affect. Memorizing this text seems to keep me grounded and able to cope as I hear God saying, “Ben is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. I am God “and I approve of this message.”