ENCOMPASSING SPIRIT: A THEOLOGICAL SOURCE FOR PASTORAL PRACTICE

The transcendent and immanent dimensions of the experience of God carry difficulties and contradictions for some, particularly if transcendence is associated largely with remoteness, exclusive transcendence, or self-containment. In contrast to the more static ways of describing transcendence and immanence found in classic theism, I hope to construct a concept of God as Encompassing or Sacred Spirit and describe how this concept of God may inform the activity of pastoral care-giving. Contextual pastoral theologians are always working to redefine and clarify the meanings of fundamental base-terms in light of current issues and questions. The God-word is no exception. Asa working definition, I am proposing an understanding of Encompassing or Sacred Spirit as the ever-creative/wholeness-seeking activity of God.