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Untangling Spiritual Contradictions Through the Psychology of Lived Paradox: Integrating Theological Diversity in the Old Testament with Durand’s Framework on the Imaginary

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Chris Kam at Adams State University
Chris Kam
Christian Bellehumeur at Saint Paul University
Christian Bellehumeur
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Abstract

There are many theological themes that appear in the Old Testament in Israel’s relationship with Yahweh. These themes contain multiple emphases throughout different times in Israel’s history that can richly inform how the contemporary believer is to relate with God. At times though, these varied themes can seem to cross in opposition with one another. Having a framework of theological diversity is helpful in untangling potential theological contradictions that can otherwise threaten to strangle the well-being of the believer trying to live faithfully in light of the whole canon of Scripture. Insights from the French anthropologist Gilbert Durand on the psyche’s unconscious structures of the imaginary seem to be of help in this endeavor. They can aid the contemporary believer’s journey in discerning when to take the initiative in acting on behalf of God, when to be expectantly passive while waiting for God to fulfill his promises, and when to engage in a joint decision-making process with him. They can also aid the believer toward both psychological and spiritual maturity as well as provide help in navigating different seasons in one’s spiritual journey.
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Vol:.(1234567890)
Journal of Religion and Health (2020) 59:1982–1995
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00923-6
1 3
PHILOSOPHICAL EXPLORATION
Untangling Spiritual Contradictions Through
thePsychology ofLived Paradox: Integrating Theological
Diversity intheOld Testament withDurand’s Framework
ontheImaginary
ChristopherKam1 · ChristianBellehumeur1
Published online: 4 October 2019
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019
Abstract
There are many theological themes that appear in the Old Testament in Israel’s rela-
tionship with Yahweh. These themes contain multiple emphases throughout differ-
ent times in Israel’s history that can richly inform how the contemporary believer is
to relate with God. At times though, these varied themes can seem to cross in oppo-
sition with one another. Having a framework of theological diversity is helpful in
untangling potential theological contradictions that can otherwise threaten to stran-
gle the well-being of the believer trying to live faithfully in light of the whole canon
of Scripture. Insights from the French anthropologist Gilbert Durand on the psyche’s
unconscious structures of the imaginary seem to be of help in this endeavor. They
can aid the contemporary believer’s journey in discerning when to take the initiative
in acting on behalf of God, when to be expectantly passive while waiting for God
to fulfill his promises, and when to engage in a joint decision-making process with
him. They can also aid the believer toward both psychological and spiritual maturity
as well as provide help in navigating different seasons in one’s spiritual journey.
Keywords Integration· Spirituality· Theology· Psychology· Paradox·
Developmental maturity
* Christopher Kam
ckam060@uottawa.ca
Christian Bellehumeur
cbellehumeur@ustpaul.ca
1 Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
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