1. For Spiritual Growth

2. Affects their ability to grow spiritually

3. Positions of Intellectual Development (Perry, 1968, 1999) 2 Multiplicity 3 Contextual Relativism 4 Commitment or Generativity Retreat Escape

4. 1. Dualism—(either right or wrong) 2. Multiplicity—(people have their own opinions and everybody is entitled to them)

5. 3. Relativism—(depends on situation) 4. Commitment in Relativism or Generativity—(it does depend, but some answers are better than others— or I have generated a new answer)

6.  Tends to see the world in black and white terms  Sees authority as the source of truth

7.  Depends on authority to give the truth to them (rather than seeking it out and thinking about it)  Tends to be a passive learner  Many beginning believers default to this way of thinking regularly

8.  There are many opinions out there in the world  People are entitled to their own opinions  My opinions are the correct views, however  Must begin to critique the validity of opinions

9.  Some opinions are acceptable in some circumstances  Since context varies, perspectives and positions on issues will necessarily vary  It’s OK to have different views for different contexts  Your views are generally right for you, my views are generally right for me

10.  I have thought through all the different perspectives and checked the validity of my assumptions, beliefs, and values, about issues outside orthodoxy and I commit to a particular belief about a particular issue.  I accept the truth of Scripture, the testimony of the Spirit, reason, and experience to generate new understanding for me (after serious consideration)

11.  A new believer may be a dualist and may accept whatever is taught or preached, and rarely critiques his or her own assumptions, beliefs, or values.

12.  A mature believer is not afraid to engage with “disorienting dilemmas” and to check the validity of his or her assumptions, beliefs, or values so that perspectives can transform.

13. “Perspective transformation is the engine of adult development.” Jack Mezirow (1994)

14. Assumptions, Beliefs, Values Knowledge Skills Emotions Behaviorism Constructivism Humanism Transformative Learning Learning Tree

15. Disorienting Dilemma Recognition, Exploration, Planning Trying on New Roles, Building Competence and Confidence Reintegration Self Examination, Critical Assessment Of Assumptions REFLECTIVE DISCOURSE The people of Berea were more open-minded...Acts 17:11 (NLT)

16. Dualism Multiplicity Relativism Commitment or Generativity Being Formed and Informed Being Transformed

17.  Viewing the world as predominantly known, certain, and knowable  Viewing the world as predominantly ambiguous, complex, and not completely knowable.  A mature Christian understands that there are many complexities in living out the Christian life and that answers are not always easy.

18.  A mature Christian settles on “orthodoxy” as what is knowable by faith and uses “deliberation” to transform his or her views (to renew the mind).