Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 28:1 (Sep 2019)
Article: A Critical Evaluation Of John Robert Stevens’ Theology Of Spiritual Formation In Dialogue With Søren Kierkegaard: A Dissertation Summary
Author: Jeremiah Gruenberg

Conspectus 28:1 (September 2019) p. 179

A Critical Evaluation Of John Robert Stevens’ Theology Of Spiritual Formation In Dialogue With Søren Kierkegaard: A Dissertation Summary1

Jeremiah Gruenberg

and

Annang Asumang

Abstract

John Robert Stevens (1919–1983) was a Pentecostal/Charismatic minister whose teachings emphasize Christian maturity. Utilizing the existential voice of Søren Kierkegaard as a dialogical partner, this project identifies, synthesizes, systematizes, assesses, analyses, and critiques John Robert Stevens’ teachings on a walk with God. Stevens’ concept of a walk with God includes the primary interrelated topics of Christlikeness, the Kingdom, and the believer’s relationship with God. According to Stevens, Christian formation is an existential and relational endeavour. It naturally arises from a daily focus of relating to God in the course of life, and consistently moving in the direction of God’s will. True spiritual formation results from an ongoing, obedient relationship with God, who is the only source of genuine transformation. The dialogue with Kierkegaard—the father of existentialism—highlights and sharpens Stevens’ view of Christian spiritual formation.

This article: https://www.sats.edu.za/gruenberg-asumang-critical-evaluation-of-john-robert-stevens-theology-of-spiritual-formation

Keywords

spirituality, existentialism, relationship, walk, holism

About The Authors2

Jeremiah Gruenberg

PhD Student, SATS

Annang Asumang

PhD, SATS, Dr Asumang is a consultant with Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom. A Clinician in Intensive Care Medicine, Annang has also made a significant contribution as a academic and researcher in theology.

Conspectus 28:1 (September 2019) p. 180

1. Introduction

The late John Robert Stevens (1919–1983) grew up in Iowa, in the United States. He graduated from LIFE Bible College with his G.Th. (Graduate in Theology) in 1947. In 1951, Stevens founded a worldwide fellowship of churches, and his ministry grew concurrently with the Charismatic movement. This ministry particularly flourished in the 1970s when his emphasis on the individual’s relationship with God struck a chord with the hippie generation in the United States. At the height of his ministry, there were more than one hundred churches functioning under his ministry (Stevens 1976b:n.p.). That most of Stevens’ books remain in print, particularly in Logos Bible Software form...