Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Part 1. The Responsibilities and Limitations of the Task - 4. Methods of Treatment - Three Characteristics of the Care of Souls
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
METHODS OF TREATMENT
book, Sanctification. He writes: ‘Faith must express itself in a new
condition of activity into which my whole mental and spiritual
life have come through Christ. It cannot be merely a change of
opinion or a new point of view. There is nothing decisive about that.
Faith must be manifested by a new psychic nature within me so
that I function in a different way. Whether or not I really
function cannot possibly be an unimportant criterion of the
reality of my faith. It is of prime importance.’
Thus spiritual teaching means giving directions for living,
not merely imparting knowledge. It should be so presented to
the confidant that he begins to function religiously. The
continually renewed aim should be the development of religious
action. Teaching about the Christian life and guidance in it
must both, therefore, be included.
Thus the care of souls is also spiritual guidance. The person
who mediates this guidance is in the service of a supernatural
reality, a vital power. Not only does he speak of spiritual laws—
he represents the Lawmaker. In everything pertaining to
spiritual relationships he may therefore both lead and advise
the person who has confided in him. No one can receive real
spiritual help who is unwilling to place himself in such a
relationship with another.
From an evangelical point of view, spiritual guidance is
freely offered help in finding a way into the spiritual world.
There is no compulsion. Each individual may accept or reject
the help offered. There is, however, a law governing the very
innermost being of the spiritual life that imposes its own
limitation: something which commands the Christian to subject
himself freely to spiritual influences that will help him both
to find himself and his place in the fellowship of souls.
The individual is a part of the whole: a whole that must not
be injured but must be enriched and fulfilled. The care of souls
is concerned with the individual, but not as if he were the centre
of the universe—or even an isolated microcosm. He is part of a
great continuity. The spiritual adviser represents fellowship,
communion. He sees the individual, his activities, his needs and
his way of life in the perspective of spiritual fellowship.
43
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
