Spiritual Marriage and - Durham e-Theses - Durham University

life. The Spiritual Movement Matrix will be employed to guide this examination.^15 Spiritual directors use the Matrix for observ ...

The Spiritual Movement Matrix consists of four arenas or dimensions:^19 Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Structural, and Environmen ...

experiences and to notice where God is amid those experiences. Second, the Matrix is not rigid or restrictive in categorizing ex ...

and reflection upon Ambrose’s life is to observe the dynamic contours of his heart and soul in relationship with God and those a ...

either. By this Rahner posits that there is an intimate connection between the experience of self or one’s neighbor and experien ...

people gravitate only towards the more spectacular and intense visionary accounts.^27 He downplays this, stressing that some of ...

himself.”^32 Therefore, with sensitivity to these concerns I will examine some of the personal experiences that Ambrose recorded ...

studying his own heart that the intentional choices that he makes to engage them reaps rich dividends in his relationship with G ...

fairly unique to him.^41 One wonders whether he first began this spiritual discipline by following the practice of his biblical ...

and discovered the causes for his troubles and discouragement in ministry. His spiritual intensity reflects his devotion and lov ...

the use of the word sweetness. Ambrose describes his location as the “sweet silent Woods”.^47 Further, he experiences God throug ...

outward touches. Allelujah.”^51 Clearly God’s Spirit made deep impressions upon Ambrose’s soul. The comparison suggests that thi ...

mentioned twice. Ambrose comments that he has never had an experience of this depth before. In fact, he traces this experience t ...

from the numerous illustrations cited to support the reality that he was deeply transformed by his contemplative visits with God ...

Song of Songs where Jesus, the Bridegroom, offers a biblical warrant for this practice of solitude or removing one’s self from t ...

offers a greater opportunity to “enjoy the benefits” of God.^63 Therefore, he believes his practice of taking a month-long annua ...

retreats, deepening his contemplative joy in communion with God. Unfortunately, Ambrose does not mention any of his personal “cl ...

spiritual struggle was a sign of God’s saving grace; the torment of temptation, the affliction of conscience born of an awarenes ...

several sorts.”^74 That reality reveals the wide spectrum of struggles experienced by Puritans in the seventeenth-century. Henry ...

Christian in Complete Armour employed the Pauline battle imagery of Ephesians 6 and was one of the most popular Puritan works on ...