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Contemplative Prayer and Meditation : Their Role in Spiritual Growth

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Contemplative Prayer and Meditation : Their Role in Spiritual Growth ABSTRACT CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER AND MEDITATION AND THEIR ROLE IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH by Karen L. Bray This dissertation covers the role of contemplative prayer and meditation and the role they may play in spiritual growth. This project included a model for teaching various contemplative practices. The means of teaching these practices included lecture, small group experiential opportunities, and individual practices. The participants for this research were primarily, white, middle-class members of the United Methodist Church. Many, but not all of the participants had previous experience with contemplative prayer and meditation. The project was founded upon theological and historical Christian foundations of meeting God in moments of stillness and contemplation. Each weekly session focused on a contemplative practice, its historical and theological background and experiencing the practice as a small group. The participants were given the opportunity to experience the practice during the following week and to journal about their experience. Evaluation of the project was based on pre- and post-tests, journal entries and short answer questionnaires. The research revealed that participants felt a closer relationship with God after practicing contemplative prayer and meditation. They also came to understand that contemplative prayer was accessible to all Christians. CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER AND MEDITATION: THEIR ROLE IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Karen L. Bray MAY 2021 © 2021 Karen L. Bray ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1 NATURE OF THE PROJECT .....................................................................1 Overview of the Chapter .....................................................................................................1 Personal Introduction ..........................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem ....................................................................................................3 Purpose of the Project ..........................................................................................................5 Research Questions ..............................................................................................................5 Research Question #1 ..............................................................................................5 Research Question #2 ..............................................................................................5 Research Question #3 ..............................................................................................5 Rationale for the Project ......................................................................................................5 Definition of Key Terms .....................................................................................................7 Delimitations .......................................................................................................................8 Review of Relevant Literature .............................................................................................8 Research Methodology .....................................................................................................10 Type of Research ......................................................................................10 Participants ................................................................................................11 Instrumentation .........................................................................................11 Data Collection .........................................................................................11 Data Analysis ............................................................................................13 iii Generalizability .........................................................................................13 Project Overview ..............................................................................................................13 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW FOR THE PROJECT .........................................14 Overview of the Chapter ....................................................................................................14 Biblical Foundations ..........................................................................................................14 The Intent of the Divine to Be in Relationship with Humanity .................14 Old Testament…………………………………………………14 New Testament………………………………………………..18 Prayer and Meditation ................................................................................20 Old Testament…………………………………………………20 New Testament…………………………..……………………22 Spiritual Growth…………………………………………………….……24 Old Testament ............................................................................24 New Testament .......................................................................26 Historical/Theological Foundations ...................................................................................29 The Apostle Paul - Contemplation and Meditation as a Means of Spiritual Growth ............................................................................................................................................29 Desert Fathers and Mothers. ..............................................................................................30 The Greek Fathers…………………………………………………...……………..33 The Cappadocian Fathers ..........................................................................................33 The Latin Fathers…………………………………..………………………………34 Italian Contemplatives………...…………………………………………………...36 French Contemplatives…………………………………………………………….38 iv English Contemplatives ..............................................................................................41 German Contemplatives……………………………………………………………..44 Spanish Contemplatives ..............................................................................................48 Contemplative Prayer and Meditation Renewal in the 20th and 21st Century…........……50 Opposition to Contemplative Movement ...........................................................................56 Research Design Literature ...............................................................................................58 Summary of Literature ......................................................................................................59 CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR THE PROJECT .............................61 Overview of the Chapter…………………………………………………………………61 Nature and Purpose of the Project .....................................................................................61 Research Questions ............................................................................................................62 Research Question #1 ............................................................................................62 Research Question #2 ............................................................................................63 Research Question #3 ............................................................................................63 Ministry Context ................................................................................................................64 Participants ........................................................................................................................64 Criteria for Selection .................................................................................64 Description of Participants .......................................................................64 Ethical Considerations ..............................................................................66 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................................66 Expert Review ...........................................................................................67 Reliability & Validity of Project Design ..................................................68 Data Collection ..................................................................................................................68 v Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................70 CHAPTER 4 EVIDENCE FOR THE PROJECT ..............................................................72 Overview of the Chapter ...................................................................................................72 Participants ........................................................................................................................72 Research Question #1: Description of Evidence ..............................................................73 Research Question #2: Description of Evidence ..............................................................76 Research Question #3: Description of Evidence .............................................................81
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