Finding God in All Things: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of Praying the Ignatian Examen
Title
Finding God in All Things: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of Praying the Ignatian Examen
Description
By James Pevehouse, 2020 -- "As part of the clergy staff of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waco, Texas, I have wondered what practices are used to help experience a deep relationship with God, especially when it is affirmed that believing in God is important. The percentage of those affirming belief in God as important is high for adults at St. Paul’s and throughout the state of Texas. However, religious practices, once seen as necessary for deepening one’s relationship with God, are sharply declining.
In a post-Christendom context, when religious practices have declined and belief in God is no longer assumed necessary, it is vital for faith communities to offer tools that will aid in experiencing a life-giving relationship with God. The act of ministry at the center of this thesis project is a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative inquiry of the lived experience of St. Paul’s parishioners praying the Ignatian Examen during Lent 2019.
Using a hermeneutic phenomenological method in a qualitative inquiry means arriving at the essence of the experience of participants. As the researcher, I am also involved in this study. I have my own experience of praying the Examen and being shaped by Ignatian Spirituality. I believe the Ignatian Examen could help one experience a deeper relationship with God. Part of hermeneutic phenomenology is to name my presuppositions and suspend them, as much as possible, in order to hear the experience of participants.
The act of ministry culminates in a composite description of the lived experience of St. Paul’s parishioners praying the Ignatian Examen. The final chapter reflects upon lessons learned and future possibilities of how practicing the Ignatian Examen might have a positive affect upon experiencing a relationship with God in a post-Christendom context"
In a post-Christendom context, when religious practices have declined and belief in God is no longer assumed necessary, it is vital for faith communities to offer tools that will aid in experiencing a life-giving relationship with God. The act of ministry at the center of this thesis project is a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative inquiry of the lived experience of St. Paul’s parishioners praying the Ignatian Examen during Lent 2019.
Using a hermeneutic phenomenological method in a qualitative inquiry means arriving at the essence of the experience of participants. As the researcher, I am also involved in this study. I have my own experience of praying the Examen and being shaped by Ignatian Spirituality. I believe the Ignatian Examen could help one experience a deeper relationship with God. Part of hermeneutic phenomenology is to name my presuppositions and suspend them, as much as possible, in order to hear the experience of participants.
The act of ministry culminates in a composite description of the lived experience of St. Paul’s parishioners praying the Ignatian Examen. The final chapter reflects upon lessons learned and future possibilities of how practicing the Ignatian Examen might have a positive affect upon experiencing a relationship with God in a post-Christendom context"
Creator
Pevehouse, James Melvin
Publisher
Virginia Theological Seminary
Date
February 10, 2020
Rights
Copyright 2020, the author.
Format
PDF
Type
Project thesis.
Files
- Date Added
- March 1, 2021
- Collection
- VTS Doctoral Theses
- Item Type
- Text
- Citation
- Pevehouse, James Melvin, “Finding God in All Things: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of Praying the Ignatian Examen,” Bishop Payne Library at Virginia Theological Seminary, accessed March 29, 2024, https://vtsbpl.omeka.net/items/show/92.