CURA VITAE: THE HERMENEUTICS OF SPIRITUAL HEALING AND THE BEAUTIFICATION OF LIFE
Abstract
In the social and healing sciences the notion of a holistic approach in human health is a well-established concept. In care-giving an interdisciplinary model is inevitable. However, what is the contribution of a Christian spiritual approach to human health and healing? It is argued that the human soul (nephesh) is a relational concept embedded in the concrete existential realities of life. The methodological background is an existential philosophical analysis of our being. A pastoral hermeneutics is developed that takes the unique dimension of an eschatological approach to healing into account. In order to help pastoral caregivers to ‘see’ the bigger picture, a diagram is designed that could assist the pastor to make a pastoral diagnosis in order to understand better the spiritual dimension of human health. Spiritual healing is in the first place an aesthetic category (the meaning, purpose, value, destiny and quality of life) and not a moral issue about good and bad, benevolence and evil.Downloads
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