Empirical Evidence of Christian Maturity and Immaturity

The third session of the 2024 Martin Institute Christian Formation Workshop featured a presentation by Dr. David C. Wang (psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary) and comments by Dr. Tyler Greenway (psychology, Calvin University). The session was moderated by Dr. Peter C. Hill (psychology, Biola University). Dr. Wang’s paper was titled “Empirical Evidence of Christian Maturity and Immaturity: A Review of Longitudinal Research on Christian Leaders.” This session and the following session focus on evidence for Christian maturity/immaturity.
For the full paper presentation, summary, and some key quotes from David Wang's paper which is followed by some application questions, please visit conversatio.or...

[@kenroberts819]

Is there a place to get the link to each one of these papers?

[@chucknaill]

Jesus said he had been given all authority in the heavens and on the Earth. Then he told his followers to make apprentices of him and teach them how to do what he prescribed. Were all the first disciples the same? Did some have psychological profiles for which Jesus didn’t account? Did subsequent people who decided to follow Jesus have to drop out because what Jesus said was impossible for only some?
It should be obvious that Jesus meant for us all to be a witness of what we have experienced of him and to enter through him into the Kingdom of God.
What discipleship sometimes consists of is learning how to study the Bible, work in ministry, volunteer, and tithe.
Simply following Dr Willard’s teachings about what Jesus message is, “a transformation into goodness “, it would produce a revolution.

[@matttttt63]

Amen

[@SibleySteve]

I was a sem dropout in 1993. I self diagnosed that I was not mature enough to deal with the pressure cooker. My cohort went into ministry with courage, I often felt they had great hubris as well, like lambs being led to slaughter. Seems like our elders should be older, that our leaders are too young (immature). I know I was. Very interesting field of research. Virtue formation and desert spirituality is fascinating. Bless these people!

[@SethNoorzad]

Such a needed topic of research and discussion. I find the issue itself on its face to be confounding. Should not the whole purpose and end for which the religion was established be the advancement of its followers in spiritual maturity, and the institutions and authority structures of the church be to allow those who are more mature to lead those who are less? If we need empirical research and "brute force" methods to even identify what is meant by spiritual maturity, does that mean the content of our religious education is empty? Those ideals of what makes one spiritually mature should be found in the religion itself. Indeed, they should be the first thing we think of when we ask why we do this.

[@ticoticotaco9898]

I believe that Christian maturity is Christ. People who move in an agape loving disposition. What I believe to be difficult is translating this disposition of love into the context of everyday life, because that would be maturity: putting into practice the teachings of our beloved Lord.
"or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work -which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. " - I Timothy 1v4-5