Proleptic spiritual transformation : living in the not yet / Darryl Wooldridge

• Main Author: Wooldridge, Darryl
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Imago Dei; Now and Not Yet; Proleptic; Spirituality; Theosis; Transformation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10394/10741

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. === PhD (Dogmatics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in co-operation with Greenwich School of Theology, United Kingdom, 2014