A Paradigm of Spiritual Development

Dr. David K. Barnett
Good Shepherd Church, Cedar Hill, Texas

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Stage Spiritual Issue View of God Faith Witness
Sinner
authority - truth

God as void
God as impartial judge weighing scales of justice

Atheism
Agnosticism
Apathy
Raise curiosity
Seeker (flesh)
anxiety, paradox

Valuable Vendor of Self-Help
Projection of idealized self
God wants only my "happiness"
God as fairy godmother
magic "religion"
what I need/want
Explore paradox
Sulker
reality
Vicious Enemy
God is "troubler" of my soul
anger/hurt/demand
Hear Word of God
conviction

^ Religion (Churchianity) -- Faith as what I do to appease God

v Follower of Christ -- Faith initaited by God's grace

Surrender
repentence
Vicarious Deliverer
trust (baptism)
what God wants
introduce toBody discipline
Saint
reconciliation
Victorious Lord
longing in community (Eucharist)
speaking truth in love