What Is Beyond Conversion? 2. Practical Theological Approaches to Spiritual Formation

Following the theological grounding of spiritual formation in a previous study, this paper explores how we can approach the topic of faith growth in a way that maintains both human responsibility and the divine supremacy of grace. To this end, the threefold path of via purgativa – via illuminativa – via unitiva will be explored in a new way, rather than the stair-step paths of the mystical tradition. Further on, the spiritual and religious dimensions of spiritual formation will be presented, integrating Diana J. Chandler’s model with the trinity of the Great Commandment. According to the Great Commandment, the triune unity of God–man–fellow man is the space of spiritual formation. It is based on a personal intimate relationship with God, in which God has the priority. A fruitful, ethical life lived towards one’s neighbour comes from this personal, spiritual formation based on a spiritual relationship with God. Keywords: spiritual formation, via purgativa, via illuminativa, via unitiva, the Great Commandment