Only child
spirituality is ethical spirituality, in which
it is important to decide what is right and wrong. Having
settled it, the only child then lives by the ethical issues.
This kind of spirituality is found in the Gospel According to
Mark, in which the writer raises the ethical questions
relating to belief in Jesus Christ.
First born
spirituality is the spirituality of the
loving community. Love, forgiveness, acceptance, turning the
other cheek, refusal to retaliate, compassion and valuing
others is the expression of spirituality. This kind of
spirituality is found in the Gospel According to Matthew,
especially in chapters 5, 6 and 7 where the Sermon on the
Mount is found.
Second born
spirituality is the spirituality of
self-discipline, the practice of self-denial in order to
bring salvation to others. The call to this spirituality is
expressed in the words "Take up your cross and follow me.
This spirituality is found in the Gospel According to Luke,
especially the fifteenth chapter in the stories of the Lost
Coin, the Good Shepherd and The Prodigal Son.
Third born
spirituality is devotional spirituality in
which prayer is the way to appropriate the power of God. It
is being filled with the spirit of God. Devotional
spirituality is is full of metaphors about Jesus being the
vine of which we are the branches, the door of the sheepfold,
the bread of life and so on. This spirituality can be seen
in the Gospel According to John.
Fourth born
spirituality is mystical spirituality, in
which a person makes direct contact with God. This kind of
spirituality can be seen the writings of the Apostle
Paul - Romans, Galatians, I & II Corinthians, Ephesians,
Colossians, Philippians, I & II Thessalonians and I & II
Timothy.
CHURCHES
Churches tend to lean toward a favorite kind of spirituality.
Lutheran Churches tend toward only child spirituality,
Presbyterian and Reformed churches toward first born,
Methodist toward second born, Charismatic churches toward
third born and Roman Catholic toward fourth born. Of course,
each of the church includes the other forms of spirituality
also.
