"The Holy Spirit and Christian Formation edited by Diane J. Chandler is an important addition to the bookshelf of pastors, practical theologians, and Christian counselors. ... By offering this multidisciplinary perspective, Chandler brings to light the need for conversations surrounding Christian formation that calls for a holistic and integrative move towards Christ-likeness for the whole self." (Carmelle Beaugelin, Pneuma, Vol. 39 (3), 2017)
Introduction; Diane J. Chandler
Part I. Interdisciplinary Perspectives
1. Spiritual And Relational Formation: How Contemplative Prayer And Psychodynamic Therapy Enhance Loving God And Others; Kelly Breen Boyce and Nanci Fisher Erkert
2. Emotional Formation: A Trinitarian Interaction; Ray S. Yeo
3. Psychological Formation: A Pentecostal Pneumatology And Implications For Therapy; Stephen Parker
4. Suffering As Formation: The Hard Road To Glory; Elizabeth Lewis Hall
Part II. Theological Perspectives
5. Scriptural Formation: The Power Of The Biblical Story; Cornelius J. Bekker
6. Ethical Formation: The Theological Virtues; Michael Palmer
7. Theological Formation: Dialogical Interplay Between Barth, Hauerwas, and Bonhoeffer; Derek W. Taylor
Part III. Practice-Oriented Perspectives
8. Sacramental Formation: The Role Of The Eucharistic; Mary Patton Baker
9. Vocational Formation: Navigating Leadership Disorientation; Philip T. Howard
10. Physical Formation: Health Stewardship And Embodied Realities; Diane J. Chandler
11. Character Convergence: The Prospect Of Holy Living; Stanley Hauerwas
Epilogue; Diane J. Chandler
Diane J. Chandler is an associate professor of spiritual formation and Christian leadership at Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. Along with published book chapters and journal articles, she has authored Christian Spiritual Formation: An Integrated Approach to Personal and Relational Wholeness (2014).
This volume discusses the importance of a multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach to Christian formation based upon godly love and the imago Dei (Latin, image of God). Grounded biblically and theologically, this interdisciplinary collection offers perspectives drawn from spirituality, ethics, philosophy, psychology, counselling, ecclesiology, physical health sciences, and leadership studies. Contributors address spiritual, emotional, and psychological formation, while highlighting how suffering has the potential to draw one closer to God and others. The book also details vocational development, appropriate stewardship of the physical body, and the ways in which the Eucharist sacramentally contributes to the process of formation. The book concludes with a call for further exploration of additional research trajectories, not the least of which is how Christian formation contributes to the missio Dei, the mission of God.