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Health, Spirituality, & Religion:Health, Spirituality, & Religion:Perspectives of a Physician-turned-Perspectives of a Physician-turned-
PriestPriest
Health, Spirituality, & Religion:Health, Spirituality, & Religion:Perspectives of a Physician-turned-Perspectives of a Physician-turned-
PriestPriest
The Rev. Ronald David, MDAmerican Association of Pastoral Counselors
St. Louis, MIApril 4, 2014
The Rev. Ronald David, MDAmerican Association of Pastoral Counselors
St. Louis, MIApril 4, 2014
Invitation to a Dialog in Cyberspace
Invitation to a Dialog in Cyberspace
[email protected]@goodsam.org
The Task . . .The Task . . .
• A theory of pastoral care (or relevant thereto)
• An autobiographical sketch
• A theory of pastoral care (or relevant thereto)
• An autobiographical sketch
Ineinander . . . In-each-otherness
Ineinander . . . In-each-otherness
• Health, Spirituality, & Religion are intimately intertwined, inseperable
• Health, Spirituality, & Religion are intimately intertwined, inseperable
A Critique of the Literature. . .A Critique of the Literature. . .
None offers a definition of health except to imply that it is the absence of disease
None define “spirituality” from a theological perspective; one contrives a “RS factor”
Most conflate “religion & spirituality” or offer simplistic, monolithic notions of religion
Conclusions regarding the salutary effect of religion and spirituality are suspect
None offers a definition of health except to imply that it is the absence of disease
None define “spirituality” from a theological perspective; one contrives a “RS factor”
Most conflate “religion & spirituality” or offer simplistic, monolithic notions of religion
Conclusions regarding the salutary effect of religion and spirituality are suspect
Proverb 18:14Proverb 18:14
“The human spirit will endure sickness; but a wounded spirit—who can bear?”
“The human spirit will endure sickness; but a wounded spirit—who can bear?”
Autobiography . . . A Thumbnail Sketch
Autobiography . . . A Thumbnail Sketch
• Eden• Tragedy & Trauma• Exile• Conviction & Commitment
• Eden• Tragedy & Trauma• Exile• Conviction & Commitment
Autobiography as HypothesisAutobiography as Hypothesis
“Research as re-search is a searching again for what one has already felt as a call, perhaps long ago and now only dimly recalled . . . re-search that proceeds in depth and from the depths, is about finding what has been lost, forgotten, neglected, marginalized, or otherwise left behind.”
“Research as re-search is a searching again for what one has already felt as a call, perhaps long ago and now only dimly recalled . . . re-search that proceeds in depth and from the depths, is about finding what has been lost, forgotten, neglected, marginalized, or otherwise left behind.”
The Meaning of HealthThe Meaning of Health
• “We study health, and we deliberate upon our meats, and drink, and air, and exercises, and we hew and polish every stone that goes to the building; and so our health is a long and regular work . . .” John Donne
• “ . . . In this world perfect health never exists in absolute form . . . Jean-Claude Larchet
• “We study health, and we deliberate upon our meats, and drink, and air, and exercises, and we hew and polish every stone that goes to the building; and so our health is a long and regular work . . .” John Donne
• “ . . . In this world perfect health never exists in absolute form . . . Jean-Claude Larchet
The Meaning of HealthThe Meaning of Health
• “The concept of health cannot be defined without relations to its opposite—disease.” Paul Tillich
• “health . . . is a state of optimal physical, and social well-being; the popular idea that it is merely the absence of disease and infirmity is not complete.” Dorland’s Medical Dictionary
• “The concept of health cannot be defined without relations to its opposite—disease.” Paul Tillich
• “health . . . is a state of optimal physical, and social well-being; the popular idea that it is merely the absence of disease and infirmity is not complete.” Dorland’s Medical Dictionary
Intuition about HealthIntuition about Health
• “This is a permanent difficulty of philosophic discussion: namely, that words must be stretched beyond their common meanings in the marketplace.” Alfred North Whitehead
• “It is evident that the numinous feeling also, in its first outbreak in consciousness, must have found sounds for its expression . . .” Rudolf Otto
• “In prayer we speak out of our ‘flesh,’ the ground of all our experience, collecting into awareness what our self is saying . . .” Ann & Barry Ulanov
• “The body is not mute, but it is inarticulate; it does not use speech but begets it.” Arthur Frank
• “This is a permanent difficulty of philosophic discussion: namely, that words must be stretched beyond their common meanings in the marketplace.” Alfred North Whitehead
• “It is evident that the numinous feeling also, in its first outbreak in consciousness, must have found sounds for its expression . . .” Rudolf Otto
• “In prayer we speak out of our ‘flesh,’ the ground of all our experience, collecting into awareness what our self is saying . . .” Ann & Barry Ulanov
• “The body is not mute, but it is inarticulate; it does not use speech but begets it.” Arthur Frank
Helen Keller Discovers WaterHelen Keller Discovers Water
“I knew then that ‘w-a-t-e-r’ meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!”
“I knew then that ‘w-a-t-e-r’ meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!”
KailoKailo
• Indo-European root word for whole, holy, and hale
• A visceral, lived experience
• Indo-European root word for whole, holy, and hale
• A visceral, lived experience
Whole, Holy, and Hale . . .Whole, Holy, and Hale . . .
. . . As complexity, creativity, and vitality. . . As complexity, creativity, and vitality
Hydrogen: An Icon of Complexity Creativity, and Vitality
Hydrogen: An Icon of Complexity Creativity, and Vitality
• 90% of “normal” atoms in the universe
• 63% of atoms in the human body
• 100% “left over” from the Big Bang
• 90% of “normal” atoms in the universe
• 63% of atoms in the human body
• 100% “left over” from the Big Bang
The Meaning of SpiritualityThe Meaning of Spirituality
• “It seems that while it may be possible to rescue the term ‘spirit,’ the adjective ‘spiritual’ is lost beyond hope.” Paul Tillich
• "Spirituality is that dimension of living in which we are aware of God's presence . . . “ Lawrence Kushner
• “The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part.” Proverb 20: 27
• “It seems that while it may be possible to rescue the term ‘spirit,’ the adjective ‘spiritual’ is lost beyond hope.” Paul Tillich
• "Spirituality is that dimension of living in which we are aware of God's presence . . . “ Lawrence Kushner
• “The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part.” Proverb 20: 27
A Grammar of SpiritA Grammar of Spirit
• Spirit– Spirit is as Spirit does: enlighten, create, animate,
differentiate, integrate
• Spiritual– Illuminating, creative, animating, differentiating,
integrating
• Spirituality– Having the quality of spirit
• Spirit– Spirit is as Spirit does: enlighten, create, animate,
differentiate, integrate
• Spiritual– Illuminating, creative, animating, differentiating,
integrating
• Spirituality– Having the quality of spirit
Spirituality as Awareness—NTSpirituality as Awareness—NT
1 Corinthians 2:10-16
[T]hese things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13 And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. 14 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 179 words 22 = spirit (un-, -ual, -ually, God) (12%) 14 = reveal, know, taught, wisdom, understand, comprehend, mind etc. (7%)
1 Corinthians 2:10-16
[T]hese things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13 And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. 14 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 179 words 22 = spirit (un-, -ual, -ually, God) (12%) 14 = reveal, know, taught, wisdom, understand, comprehend, mind etc. (7%)
The Spectrum of AwarenessThe Spectrum of Awareness
• Prehension—tactile • Apprehension—emotive/intuitive• Comprehension—cognitive • Ascension—numinous/mystical
• Prehension—tactile • Apprehension—emotive/intuitive• Comprehension—cognitive • Ascension—numinous/mystical
Inherent Relationships . . . Ineinander
Inherent Relationships . . . Ineinander
• Health is experience as such--quidditas
• Spirituality is awareness of suchness--veritas
• Religion is what is done in response to awareness--effectus
• Health is experience as such--quidditas
• Spirituality is awareness of suchness--veritas
• Religion is what is done in response to awareness--effectus
Medicine as ReligionMedicine as Religion
If longevity without disease or even a dollop of discomfort is one’s “ultimate concern” as Paul Tillich might put it—that to which we devote our life to with the hope of salvation—then medical care becomes a religion. I know because I was once a devotee of that religion. It is a religion for which the human genome project is considered the “book of life,” and medical centers are Meccas, wherein hospitals are cathedrals, operating rooms are the “holy of holies,” and surgeons are the high priests and priestesses.
If longevity without disease or even a dollop of discomfort is one’s “ultimate concern” as Paul Tillich might put it—that to which we devote our life to with the hope of salvation—then medical care becomes a religion. I know because I was once a devotee of that religion. It is a religion for which the human genome project is considered the “book of life,” and medical centers are Meccas, wherein hospitals are cathedrals, operating rooms are the “holy of holies,” and surgeons are the high priests and priestesses.
Defining Religion--ImplicationalDefining Religion--Implicational
• “Outward and visible sign of an inward grace”
• The human endeavor to witness and celebrate and sustain and restore and remember relationships
• “Outward and visible sign of an inward grace”
• The human endeavor to witness and celebrate and sustain and restore and remember relationships
Defining Religion--PropositonalDefining Religion--Propositonal
• Ethics of being in relationship• Virtues of being—humility,
charity, veracity• Vision of being—things are more
integrated, better, and more mysterious than they seem
• Ethics of being in relationship• Virtues of being—humility,
charity, veracity• Vision of being—things are more
integrated, better, and more mysterious than they seem
DenouementDenouement
• AAPC Mission• Deeper theological reflection and engagement• Freedom from mundane assessments and
charting• Sentinels and advocates for complexity,
creativity, vitality• Apologists for Church, Temple, & Mosque
• AAPC Mission• Deeper theological reflection and engagement• Freedom from mundane assessments and
charting• Sentinels and advocates for complexity,
creativity, vitality• Apologists for Church, Temple, & Mosque
