The Unfolding Christian Self Analysis

Within the chapter, Ellens adamantly presents a recurring theme involving the importance of recognizing and understanding the functionality of psychology and spirituality as they pertain to the operation of the human spirit (Ellens , "The Unfolding Christian Self", 1992). It is his belief that one’s psychological development and spiritual growth are intrinsically connected, consequently presenting us with the dyad of the unfolding Christian, the duality being the unpredictable growth of the spirit and the predictable patterns of psychological development (Ellens , "The Unfolding Christian Self", 1992). In the interest of further delving deeper into this matters, Ellens briefly analyzed the works of Jean Piaget, via Margaret Krych, Erik Erikson, Lawrence Kohlberg, James W. Fowler, and Robert C. Fuller. Upon the conclusion of his transitory assessment of the Fowler’s work, Ellens transitioned an in-depth …show more content…
The concentration of Ellens analysis of Fuller’s thesis was to highlight the relationship between psychosocial understandings of fulfillment and how it enables us as mankind to comprehend and appreciate the roles that both faith and spirituality have as we progress through developmental stages (Ellens , "The Unfolding Christian Self", 1992). Point one of this examination was the summarization of Fuller’s thesis. It was Ellens’ conviction that Fuller’s work as a structuralist afforded psychologists the opportunity to utilize natural and social sciences as a means to define the complex functions of human nature, namely faith and religious desire (Ellens , "The Unfolding Christian Self", 1992). He noted that physiology, genetics, instincts, environmental,