‘That you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught’ (Luke 1:4) : reflections on research, certainty and spirituality from an evangelical perspective

Abstract

In the Western tradition, research and sin the Western tradition, research and spirituality are often, probably in most cases, considered ‘uneasy bedfellows’. The characteristics of the former cannot and, as many insist, must not be applied to the latter. The Cambridge Dictionary defines research as ‘a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding’. In contrast, spirituality is understood to be ‘the quality that involves deep feelings and beliefs of a religious nature, rather than the physical parts of life’. So, the contrast is between detailed study and discovery of new information versus deep feelings and (mere) ‘beliefs’. are often, probably in most cases, considered ‘uneasy bedfellows’. The characteristics of the former cannot and, as many insist, must not be applied to the latter. The Cambridge Dictionary defines research as ‘a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding’. In contrast, spirituality is understood to be ‘the quality that involves deep feelings and beliefs of a religious nature, rather than the physical parts of life’. So, the contrast is between detailed study and discovery of new information versus deep feelings and (mere) ‘beliefs’.