Spiritual Identity Personal Narratives for Faith and Spiritual？Living 英文参考文献.docVIP

Religions 2012, 3, 251–265; doi:10.3390/rel3020251 OPEN ACCESS religions ISSN 2077-1444 /journal/religions Article Spiritual Identity: Personal Narratives for Faith and Spiritual Living Kevin S. Reimer 1,* and Alvin C. Dueck 2 1 School of Humanities, Religion Social Sciences, MCD 210, Fresno Pacific University, 1717 South Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702, USA 2 Department of Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family, School of Psychology, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, 135 N, Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91182, USA; E-Mail: adueck@ * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: kevin.reimer@; Tel.: +559-453-2075 or +559-453-5558. Received: 21 March 2012; in revised form: 1 April 2012 / Accepted: 6 April 2012 / Published: 13 April 2012 Abstract: In this article we outline a theoretical and methodological framework for spiritual identity as meaning in folk psychology. Identity is associated with psychological elements of personality that help people manage a time-bound existence. This discussion is extended on anthropological grounds, noting that spiritual goals are reinforced when they become symbolically self-important, often through religious ritual. This makes religious tradition and culture of monotheist exemplars centrally important to understanding idiosyncratic folk narratives like spiritual success. Keywords: spiritual identity; personal narratives; traits; goals Introduction: Spiritual Identity and Narrative As the introduction to this special edition explains, spiritual exemplars are persons who have acted and achieved. Also as explained, their actions and achievements are motivated by powerful faith. But how are we to explain the workings of powerful faith? Here, we explore one way of explaining, namely, in terms of mature spiritual identity that becomes a core feature of the faith of spiritual exemplars and also becomes a way of connecting personality tr