Proleptic Spiritual Transformation: Living in the not yet

274 Pages·2014·2.08 MB·English

Proleptic Spiritual Transformation:
Living in the not yet

Rev. Darryl Wooldridge, B.Th., M.Div.
# 23001216

Thesis submitted for the degree Doctor of
Philosophy
at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West
University
in co-operation with
Greenwich School of Theology
United Kingdom

Promoter: Prof. Daniel Lioy
Co-Promoter: Prof. Nico Vorster

March 2014
Copyright © 2013 by Darryl Wooldridge
All right reserved
DECLARATION OF AUTHENTICITY

I declare that all material presented to Potchefstroom Campus of North-West University, SA is
my own work, or fully and specifically acknowledged wherever adapted from other sources. I
understand that if at any time it is shown that I have significantly misrepresented material
presented to Potchefstroom Campus of North-West University, SA, any degree or credits
awarded to me on the basis of that material may be revoked.
ABSTRACT

God is at the centre of an, often inarticulate, innate human desire and pursuit to enjoy and
reflect the divine image in which every human being was created. The purpose of this
research project is to affirm that human elemental pursuit as God‘s intent to fulfill this
created, intrinsic human desire in the now or, what is referred to in this doctoral thesis as,
proleptic spiritual transformation (PrōST).

It seems that the world, and the extent, of spiritual transformation range from an etiolated
theology to experiential fullness. Considered herein is God‘s heart, in relationship, and its
implication toward an image-bearing human spiritually and how the Edenic fall interrupted
this intent. From this is considered God‘s active interest in recovery of his fully-expressed
image in humanity especially as experienced in PrōST. To corroborate this purpose, the
means and methods of God‘s revelation in unveiling his heart, truth, and intents toward
creation and humanity in particular toward spiritual recovery and PrōST, is examined.
Moreover, the transformative and soteriological implications of proleptic spiritual
transformation (PrōST) are investigated and whether a unified theory regarding PrōST
emerges.

The primary aim of this work investigates whether individuals must wait for the afterlife to
have purification and spiritual transformation fully or largely ―worked out‖, This thesis
investigate the provisions of God‘s economy to include a present enjoyment of the imago Dei
(image of God) in transformation as inclusive of the existential life of Christ as the imago
Christi, reflected and represented by humans in relation to God and creation. That is, this
study demonstrates that PrōST, an experience of transformation usually reserved for heaven
in eternity, is greatly available today.

The central theoretical argument of this study, as set out, is that humans were created in the
image of God; however, the enjoyment and expression of this imago Dei, not its essence, has
been greatly blemished, marred, and damaged by a God-defying wilfulness of humanity.
Despite this rebellion, God desired a full restoration of the enjoyment and expression of his
image. God has not forgotten or abandoned this intent. Moreover, the imago Dei now carries
something more—the God-man (imago Christi). God‘s image in Jesus now carries the
existential realities of his incarnate life toward which PrōST drives. This study re-examines
the conventional partitioning of the ―now‖ and ―not yet‖ for a new balance and paradigm in
expressed PrōST toward imago Dei.

KEY WORDS
Imago Dei, Now and Not Yet, Proleptic, Spirituality, Theosis, Transformation
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The road travelled for this doctoral thesis has been arduous but never onerous. Like its subject,
the sweet journey of research and composition has aided me in a measure of intimacy with God
in relationship and beholding his glory. My deepest hope is that readers of this work may, in
like manner, receive a gift of intimacy with God and behold God‘s glory in a transformative
work in their whole beings: spirit, soul, and body.

A formidable work such as this begins considerably before the demanding, formal process of a
PhD program. There were the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs, along with
thousands of hours of disciplined reading, study, and prayer over many learning and growing
years of life. Of course, there are the many conversations, debates, and disputations with other
seeking individuals and communities over time and present, in person, in books and other forms
of media, which contributed to a rigorous process of the dialectical, heuristic processes of
learning.

There have, of course, been a number of people, to whom I am greatly indebted, that have
lovingly enabled the research and writing necessary to produce this thesis. First, is always my
family that inspires me and drives me to excellence: My wife, Ruth, whose deep love, support,
dialogue, and patience have made room for the necessary focus of such a challenge as this.
Loving thanks to my children, grandchildren, and siblings, who bring me sustaining joy,
inspiration, and simple respite.

There are the many instructors in my life both in formal settings and informal, some of whom I
have only met in the numerous books and journals I have read, debated with, and from which I
have learned. Some have been the most unassuming members of society. Others have been the
famous, lauded, and acclaimed, that have taught and advised me from university, lectern, pulpit,
history, and face to face consult and encouragement.

A special note of gratitude to those whom allowed me, at times, differing views from their own;
although, often rigorously questioning my support for such conjectures and recommending
helpful readings. Among them, thanks to Professor Dr. Lioy‘s for his rigor, reviews, related
research, book recommendations, including his monographs, attention to detail, and especially
alternative viewpoints on Lutheranism. Thanks to Professor Dr. Vorster for his extensive
critiques, recommended research, and reading sources especially in the subject of imago Dei,
his recommendations of Van Huyssteen Alone in the World? and Canlis‘s Calvin’s Ladder.
Both promoters have been of great value to this doctoral work and to my personal growth and
understanding especially in the areas of academic standards, dogmatics, and spiritual
transformation. Although his involvement was brief, Professor Dr. Warner, too, has been of
great value to this endeavour and me. His understanding heart provided comfort regarding
critiques that can, at times, seem too punctilious and personal in nature.

Liaison Administrator, Dr. Peggy Evans‘ pleasant reception at GST, Central Office UK, has
been a kind guide in the process of administrational necessities and standard UK English usage,
thesis format, and expectations. I treasure her gentleness. Also thanks to Tienie Buys, a Liaison
Administrator in the Faculty of Theology at North-West University, who joined the process a
bit later, for her part in assuring an uninterrupted NWU connection. A special note of gratitude
to Jessica Bratt (2005) who graciously allowed me to cite her paper, ―Wolfhart Pannenberg:
Imago Dei as gift and destiny‖.

I extend my gratitude for the library services of the North-West University, Potchefstroom
Campus. The access to extensive journal and academic resources was especially useful to my
research, arguments, and composition. Such access, without the provisions of NWU, would
have been prohibitively cumbersome and expensive.

The incidents of my life, both trials and mercies, have taught me deeply and enriched me
beyond measure. Whatever small light I may have been able to shine in this work is due to
God‘s mercies, the people, and the incidents noted. Moreover, of exceeding note, it is God‘s
mercy and grace that have nourished me, nurtured me, and made me capable for this task.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure
1. Notional Chart of Spiritual Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
2. Righteousness, Peace, and Joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

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LIST OF TABLES

Table
1. Selected Spiritual Disciplines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114-118
2. Proposed PrōST Disciplines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION OF AUTHENTICITY
ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii-iv
1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
2. GOD‘S HEART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
2.1. PREFATORY
2.2. DRIVE FOR THE DIVINE
2.3. SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL
2.4. VERY GOOD
2.5. IMAGO DEI
2.6. DISAFFECTION AND REBELLION
2.7. PUTTING DOWN THE REBELLION
2.8. CONCLUSIONS
3. TRANSFORMING-SALVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
3.1. PREFATORY
3.2. LEBENFORM
3.3. UNION
3.4. JUSTIFICATION
3.5. NOT WITHOUT RESEMBLANCE
3.6. SOTERIOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTS
3.7. OUTSIDE THE PALE AND UNTOUCHABLE
3.8. CHRIST PARTICULARISM
3.9. CHRISTOSIS AS IMAGO DEI
3.10. CONCLUSIONS
4. DEVICES IN THE UNVEILING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
4.1. PREFATORY
4.2. REVELATION
4.3. DISCIPLINE
4.4. THEODICY AND OTHER TRIALS
4.5. RELATIONSHIP AND BEING
4.6. STORY, ALLEGORY, AND PARABLE
4.7. TELEOLOGICAL MOTIF
4.8. CONCLUSIONS
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