Conforming to the Image of Christ: Structuring a Spiritual Growth Paradigm for Churches of the Stone - Campbell Movement

Jerry J. Dean

Abstract

There is a general need for churches of the Stone-Campbell movement to reach beyond reading for the gathering of knowledge for doctrinal purposes. It becomes necessary to balance the desire for biblical truth with a pursuit of spiritual growth. This is referred to as finding a balance. This balance is achieved through a process of spiritual development and maturity. The central claim for this thesis is that Restoration churches of today, given to a rational, empirical form of hermeneutics, need to allow spiritual growth practices to run parallel with rational thinking.