Verwondering-in-nederigheid as krities-Christelike spiritualiteit vanuit Skriftuur en natuur

Abstract

The Christian believer has an awareness of and subsequent relationship with God which manifests in life depending on the type of spirituality the believer cultivates. This study seeks to promote and nurture a spirituality where nature in all its appearances is observed and experienced and the observer is filled with awe and amazement. One is filled with wonder of the complexity, enormity, beauty and grandeur of creation. In the realisation of this a person becomes aware of the Creator’s glory and greatness and one’s own smallness but not insignificant. This should encourage a disposition of humility, modesty, respect, and compassion which is a vital component of Christian spirituality. In this study a variety of sources of literature, ranging from secular and theological sources, and Scripture, namely Genesis 1 and a selection of creation psalms, have been scrutinised to determine what the different authors contribute toward the experience of wonderment and how that should colour the Christian experience. The literature reveals that everything has value to lesser or greater extent and should be respected and appreciated accordingly. Everyone, the professional investigator and the layperson should wonder about the material world – it is not a naïve or inferior experience and a sensitivity should be developed where wonderment will be experienced perpetually. The reflection upon wonderment in this study will also put forward that there is no conflict between science and faith but indeed complement each other to achieve a broader perspective and deeper meaning of the material world and what Scripture has to say about the creation and its Creator.