David G. Benner has been very productive in his semiretirement. His latest book, Soulful Spirituality: Becoming Fully Alive and Deeply Human, addresses many important topics, including the neglect of the body in many approaches to spirituality. How could we resist inviting David to the table for another frank conversation?
GWM: The title of your new book is Soulful Spirituality.What is soulful spirituality and why is it important for Christians?
DGB: The reason I wrote this book is that being a good Christian clearly does not automatically make one a good human being. I am struck by the fact that spirituality—even our own unique Christian spirituality—does not always make people more deeply human and whole. Honesty forces me to conclude that the spiritual path can lead to an escape from a robust commitment to reality, the repression or dissociation of sexuality, disconnection from the emotions, alienation from the body, and increasing distance from one’s unconscious depths. Too easily spiritual practices lead to increasing identification with those of one’s own religious tribe and an ever-weakening sense of solidarity with all humankind. Too often it involves a narcissistic me-and-God relationship that insulates us from, rather than sensitizes us to, the problems of our world. Too frequently it is associated with a focus on beliefs rather than being and directs us away from life rather than toward a genuinely deeper, fuller, and more vital life.
GWM: Please don’t spare anyone’s feelings. But did you discover any good news?
DGB: The good news is that our spirituality can uniquely move us toward the full and abundant life that Jesus promised. For humans, that life will always involve being human and becoming, therefore, deeply and fully human.
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