EPISODE · Jul 29, 2022 · 21 MIN

Integral Christianity

from Back to the Garden · host rev. tomas de león

This episode is based on two ideas. The first is the concept of integral theory as developed by American Philosopher and mystic, Ken Wilbur. The second on a book by Rev. Paul Smith applying the integral approach to Christianity. The title is: “Integral Christianity, The Spirit’s Call to Evolve.” From Ken Wilbur (the innovator of integral thought) comes this: “The word integral means comprehensive, inclusive, non-marginalizing, embracing. Integral approaches to any field attempt to be exactly that—to include as many perspectives, styles, and methodologies as possible within a coherent view of the topic. In a certain sense integral approaches are “meta-paradigms” or ways to draw together an already existing number of separate paradigms into a network of interrelated mutually enriching perspectives” In simple English, it means taking existing points of view and bringing them together to form a BIGGER, broader point of view! Basically, it’s making a bigger puzzle using smaller puzzles. From the forward, by Jim Marion, comes this: “[Rev. Smith’s book] sets forth the evolutionary stages of human spiritual development. It also explains the three stages of human spiritual development as well as the three standpoints through which humans experience the reality of God”. In his introduction to the book, Rev. Paul says, “We all wear glasses, our glasses are our worldview. The lens through which I now look at Christianity had not taken shape and did not have a name 50 years ago…. What if there is a Christian path that more closely follows Jesus than many of us have seen in the past? What if it is possible to hear the continuing voice of the Spirit as Jesus promised?”