This dissertation suggests the Song of Songs as a biblical paradigm for Christian spiritual
direction based on the poem’s human dynamics, theological poetics and mystical aesthetic.
The Song of Songs is paradigmatic as a journey from a state of self-neglect (depletion),
through dynamic encounters of love (transformation), to living who I am in union with the
divine I AM (deification). Identifying the human beloved as archetypal seeker and positing
transformation in love as the raison-d’être for spiritual direction, the research delineates
important implications for spiritual praxis, namely: the human subject (locus); human
yearning (focus); the human search (journey); dynamics of human transformation and
spiritual maturation (process); aspects of life-integration and union with God (purpose); and
becoming a living sacrament in the world (epiphany). With its experiential-existential
approach, The Canticle of Spiritual Direction serves as an interdisciplinary and intercultural
resource on the Song of Songs, Christian spiritual direction, and Christian mysticism. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Christian Spirituality)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/8103 |
| Date | 02 1900 |
| Creators | Lam, Judy Elise |
| Contributors | Kourie, Celia Ellen Teresa, 1946-, Hardy, Richard P. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (v, 200 leaves) |
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