Taking God seriously, taking life seriously : praying the Psalms as a congregational strategy for integrated spirituality

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is concerned with integrated spirituality. Spirituality is understood as a life orientationthat presents itself both in worship and in a re-ordering of the elements of aperson's life to a growing correspondence with the reality presented in worship. It findsexpression in a web of relationships between God, the particular individual, the otherand creation. Integrated spirituality is spirituality that is equally serious about God andour life in the material world, and it refuses to separate these two passions.God is the constitutive reality of Christian spirituality. He is the source of perspectiveand energy for Christian spirituality. However, the shape of spirituality is co-determinedby factors from material existence, such as context, confessional tradition, narratives(both personal narratives and narratives of one's community) and the personal make-upof an individual. Any congregational strategy that aims at facilitating integratedspirituality, needs to incorporate both these aspects of spirituality. Nonetheless, it willhave to give priority to the focus on God, but in such a way that the focus on materiallife retains full attention.The spirituality that we encounter in the Psalter is a clear example of integratedspirituality. Both the subject-matter and the editorial structure of the Psalter exhibit apassion for God and full attention to the concrete realities of daily life. As such, theypresent us with a valuable tool for facilitating integrated spirituality.We contend that the strategy of using the Psalms as prayers in congregations will have adistinct impact on the kind of spirituality that will evolve in these congregations. ThePsalms can be used as prayers in liturgical and pastoral contexts, as well as in the privatedevotions of members of congregations. Praying the Psalms in these contexts will leadto integrated spirituality. However, this will depend on a number of prerequisites: ThePsalms should be prayed from a proper understanding of their meaning and innerdynamics. Additionally, the whole spectrum of meaning found in the Psalms shouldbecome part of the prayer life of a congregation. If a congregation attains this, the resultwill be growth in integrated spirituality. Our exploration into the dynamics ofspirituality as well as our overview of the Psalter's dual focus on God and life in thematerial world, forms the basis for this conviction.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University