Christian Spirituality

Definition and Meaning

Spirituality (Korean yeongseong, 靈性) originally means "spiritual character." In Christianity it refers to the personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit, and it also encompasses the ways that relationship is expressed in prayer, meditation on Scripture, worship, and daily life. In theology it is treated as a branch of practical theology or studied separately as "spiritual theology." In Korean Protestantism the term gyeonggeon ("piety") is also used with a similar meaning.

Biblical and Historical Background

The word "spirituality" does not appear in the Bible. However, passages on walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and longing for God (Psalm 42:1) are regarded as its foundation.

From the early church onward, the monastic tradition cultivated a life that combined prayer and work. Lectio divina, the slow, meditative reading of Scripture, also developed within this tradition. In the medieval and early modern periods, mystics such as Teresa of Ávila wrote about the stages of prayer. After the Reformation, Protestantism emphasized a piety centered on the Word of Scripture and personal prayer. The devotional life of the Puritans, German Pietism, and the regular spiritual disciplines of John Wesley carried this current forward.

Practice in the Korean Church

Spirituality in Korean Protestantism is especially visible in its practices. Notable examples include the early morning prayer meeting, tongseong gido (praying aloud together, crying out to God), prayer mountains and retreat centers, fasting, and quiet time (reading and meditating daily on an assigned passage). In recent years, interest has also grown in spiritual formation, spiritual direction, and contemplative prayer (prayer that uses few words and rests quietly before God).

The understanding of spirituality varies by denomination.

• Presbyterians place sanctification (the process of being made holy) through the Word and prayer at the center.
• Methodists and Holiness churches, following the tradition of Wesleyan theology, emphasize holiness of heart and life.
• Pentecostal churches, including the Full Gospel movement, regard the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the experience of spiritual gifts as an important part of spirituality.
• The Anglican Church of Korea maintains a spirituality centered on daily prayer according to its prayer book and on the liturgy (prescribed forms of worship).

Opinions are divided over contemplative prayer. Some conservative Protestants worry that it may blur the boundaries with Roman Catholic mysticism or Eastern meditation. Those who practice it, by contrast, regard it as a recovery of prayer traditions the church has long maintained.