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"

Creator

Pevehouse, James Melvin

Publisher

Virginia Theological Seminary

Date

February 10, 2020

Rights

Copyright 2020, the author.

Format

PDF

Type

Project thesis.
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.