Abstract:
Postmodern theologians like Hal Taussig are not very optimistic about the future of Christianity.
To them, the theistic (mythological) understanding of God is of little use in the postmodern
world of the 21st century. Taussig prefers the grassroots Christianity, which has room for persons
of all sexual orientations, and advocates ecological sensitivity. The question is: What do the
followers of this spirituality teach their children about God? The solution is what Wilber calls
‘the conveyer belt’ and God’s ‘Kosmic address’. Everyone starts at square one, ‘traditional’ and
grassroots Christians alike, and move along this conveyer belt. Along the way, there are seven
stages and three perspectives, i.e. the first, second and third-person perspective, through which
human consciousness could evolve. That means that any given person could have one of 21
different possible understandings and experiences of God. A questionnaire could assist pastors
to determine at which stage or level of evolution an individual is, as well as the ‘Kosmic address’
that God has for that individual. Through spiritual exercises, pastors could then support the
individual’s further growth towards mature human consciousness.
Description:
Hierdie artikel is ‘n
verwerking van ‘n deel
van I.W. Ferreira se MTh verhandeling
getiteld
‘Die relevansie van
Ken Wilber se integrale
ontwikkelingsteorie
vir die pastoraat’ onder
studieleiding van prof.
dr Yolanda Dreyer,
voorgelê en aanvaar in
Augustus 2008 deur die
Departement Praktiese
Teologie, Fakulteit
Teologie, Universiteit van
Pretoria.