Ecumenical and Traditioned Measurement: Measuring Christian Maturation Across Distinct Traditions of Christian Spirituality

The aim of this article is to explore some of the challenges of measuring Christian spiritual development across distinct traditions of Christian spirituality. This presses into questions of what might be universal and what might be particular when it comes to Christian spirituality in how it is understood and practiced. We address the feasibility of a general, ecumenical measure by hearing from representative voices of five traditions of Christian spirituality: African American spirituality, Anglican spirituality, Benedictine spirituality, Pentecostal spirituality, and Reformed spirituality. After noting some of the distinctives of these traditions, we conclude with four strategies for navigating the unity and diversity of Christian spirituality in conceptualizing and measuring Christian formation.

UNIO CUM CHRISTO AND REFORMED COMPLEMENTARITY

This article highlights the reticence of the Reformed community toward spirituality, which is devastating in light of our chief end “to glorify God and enjoy him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism 1). Reformed spirituality, seemingly short of a lively biblical contemporary expression, needs to be rekindled in a way consistent with its heritage. An increased complementarian practice among the Reformed will assist in such a spiritual reanimation, in the form of a corporate Reformed spirituality founded upon union with Christ. An initial trace of a feminine enjoyment of union with Christ demonstrates this proposal, and, in the spirit of semper reformanda, a discussion of areas for an improved complementarity in the pastoral care and employment of women and of the absence of Reformed female scholars follows.

Hendrina Cecilia Kruger se godsdienstige mentaliteitsprofiel in haar mistieke oordenkingsbundel (ca. 1750–1810) uit die trekboertyd

Hendrina Cecilia Kruger’s religious mentality profile in her mystical devotional book (c. 1750−1810) from the Trekboer period. The religious views of the Trekboers on the frontier were shaped by pietistic religious literature circulating in the Cape interior. The religious ego-text of Hendrina Cecilia Kruger reflects elements of two streams of pietism: Dutch Second Reformation devotional literature and the works of German pietists in the line of Spener and other German mystics. The cumulative impact of experiential faith in Reformed mysticism and the mystical views of German pietism produced a spirituality of exceptional intensity in the pioneering communities of Reformed believers on the frontier. It is concluded that the mystical religious mentality of the Trekboer pietists exhibited exceptional levels of faith amidst dire physical and emotional conditions on the frontier. In spite of high levels of mystical pietism in her devotional book Kruger remained committed to the basic tenets of Reformed spirituality.

Postfoundational practical theology as public Christol̶o̶g̶y̶

This article aimed to provide a critical appreciation of a postfoundational practical theology as developed by Julian M�ller and a further exploration of this approach towards a public Christology. The logos of Christology is crossed out, but not erased as it is not a new theory or system or dogma, but rather a spirituality. Such a public Christology was unpacked as a postmetaphysical reformed spirituality in the three publics of academia, society and church.