I'm one of those strange ones: Having grown up a Pentecostal and ministering wholeheartedly as a Pentecostal pastor, my style is rational, with a tendency towards doctrinal. The result of the test didn't really surprise me, but I'm amazed by how much I find myself in the description of the rational style.
My native style is rational (leaning toward doctinal) and I have just re-read that part of the book. I definitley relate to the feeling of mistrust of simple answers and the striving for explanations that are mentioned. I have also experienced how the questioning mindset confuses people - and how it can offend people.
This is my response to the suggestion made in the "28 Days..." exploration of the Mystical style to re-read the section in "3 Colors..." on the mystical style and post reflections.
I was directed to TED.com as part of my 28 days... work in the Rational Style, my native style. I came across a talk by the Turkish novelist Elif Sharak. Where I connect with her presentation is through my own conviction that our Bible is a literary work, and must be understood and interpreted on literary terms. Heretical as it may sound, I believe that much (by no means all) of our scriptures are fiction, or at least remembered history with fictional embellishments.
I have been working with "The 3 Colors of Spirituality" for about two weeks now. I have discovered my native style to be Rational, leaning toward Sensory. I have just begun exploring the Sensory style in the "28 days of discipline," and was asked to share thoughts in this venue after re-reading the chapter on the Sensory style. Here are two of my thoughts:
I began working through the Three Colors of Spirituality book about a week ago, and reached the place of taking the spiritual style inventory a couple of days ago. I learned to my surprise that my native style is Rational, leaning toward Sensory (making my opposite style Ascetic--it is also surprising, therefore, that my second highest score on the inventory was Ascetic (!)).
My native style is Rational, with Enthusiastic at the opposite pole. I've been working through the 28 Days of Discipline process in the Enthusiastic style. Having re-read the appropriate 3 Colors material, here's my main question: When we have what appears to be a trans-rational experience, how can we tell if it's really God's power, rather than something in our imagination or of our own subconscious making? I know rational people are supposed to have the highest level of discernment and be best able to make such judgments.
When I took The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality Test, I could not believe that my native style was the Enthusiastic style. I have wished to be uninhibited enough to worship this way, but have not been able to really open up (pray out loud, speak in tongues, etc.)
I am rational, and focusing on my own style for 28 days... I am thinking about what the book says on pg 97 (rational style), only when explanations are sufficient, does faith have a solid ground. Last week I started reading Matthew for the first time with a small group that has also read 3 Colors. Matthew starts out very rationally and it is helping me with my quest to "know" Jesus. I need to know the details and facts for it all to make sense in my mind...
As my wife and I started this journey, we both immediately began to relate non christian family members to different styles. This has opened our eyes to look at different ways to show Christ according to how the person relates to spiritual issues.
For example, it is obvious to us that one relative is rational, and another is mystical.
I am curious as to the practical side of having a rational style. For instance I am anxious to get feed back from how another rational style views sin. My hope is that we will have something in common. From this experience, I will develope confidence in learning and hopefully be able to ask intelligent questions of other that provides me some insight into their style of spirituatity. I am seeking feedback please.
As directed by my 28 day tutor, I re-read the section on the ascetic style. Form a rational point of view I discovered that giving up a pleasure to take more time thinking of God was not a difficult thing to do. Everything we have is from God and we are just stewards of our "things." What I discovered was that I can give up things for God, but it just does not seem to be that important. I wonder if anyone else feels this way.
If you've not done so already, get involved in a Mutual Mentoring relationship with someone who has the rational spiritual style.
The Mutual Mentoring guide is contained in Part 2 of the workbook How to Embrace The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality in Your World, or can be downloaded freely from the web site (click the link below and then go to "Mutual Mentoring").
In any discussion that reflects different opinions today, present your perspective, but also change positions to present what you agree with or see as positive about any of the other opinions expressed.
As required, finish by expressing your considered opinion, belief or preference, but only after fully embracing what you can from the other people's perspectives.
What would it require for you personally to obey Jesus' command to more fully "love the Lord with all your mind" (Mark 12:30).
Note down your thoughts.
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
If you have any negative feelings toward the rational style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.
Or...
Visit the web site below and look for a topic that catches your attention. Regardless of the stated or possible beliefs of the person presenting the ideas, read, listen or watch their presentation and ask yourself the following three questions...
1. What can I learn about God or God's creation from this person?
2. How could or should this person's research shape my day-to-day spiritual life?
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the rational style
Motto: understanding the nature of God
Focus: logic & science
Key Scripture: By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundation, by understanding he set the heavens in place. (Proverbs 3:19)
Share them with a friend.
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of logic and science in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the rational style.
Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.
Note down anything you sense during this time.
Recall a topic from your Christian experience that does not fully seem to make sense to you. It may be something you've read in the Bible, words you've heard spoken by a Christian about their beliefs or something that God has or hasn't done that is a surprise to you - basically anything that could be considered "one of the mysteries of God." Now make up a question about that topic that starts with the word "Why?"
In any discussion that reflects different opinions today, present your perspective, but also change positions to present what you agree with or see as positive about any of the other opinions expressed.
As required, finish by expressing your considered opinion, belief or preference, but only after fully embracing what you can from the other people's perspectives.
What would it require for you personally to obey Jesus' command to more fully "love the Lord with all your mind" (Mark 12:30).
Note down your thoughts.
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
If you have any negative feelings toward the rational style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.
Or...
Visit the web site below and look for a topic that catches your attention. Regardless of the stated or possible beliefs of the person presenting the ideas, read, listen or watch their presentation and ask yourself the following three questions...
1. What can I learn about God or God's creation from this person?
2. How could or should this person's research shape my day-to-day spiritual life?
Für Christen mit einem rationalen Stil ist es am natürlichsten, ihrer Spiritualität über gedankliche Reflektion Ausdruck zu verleihen. Stärke des Stils ist die ausgeprägte Reflektionsfähigkeit; die Gefährdung liegt in seiner Neigung zur Überbetonung des rationalen Elements (Intellektualismus).Auszug von Die 3 Farben Deiner Spiritualität - Christian A. Schwarz
Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the rational style
Motto: understanding the nature of God
Focus: logic & science
Key Scripture: By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundation, by understanding he set the heavens in place. (Proverbs 3:19)
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org
Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of logic and science in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the rational style.
Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.
Note down anything you sense during this time.
Re-read the chapter in The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality about the rational style. Note down any thoughts or questions that have come to mind about the topic and post one of them on the web site for others to consider and perhaps respond to or comment on.
- Just visit the link below
- Create a free account on the site or just log in if you already have an account
In any discussion that reflects different opinions today, present your perspective, but also change positions to present what you agree with or see as positive about any of the other opinions expressed.
As required, finish by expressing your considered opinion, belief or preference, but only after fully embracing what you can from the other people's perspectives.
What would it require for you personally to obey Jesus' command to more fully "love the Lord with all your mind" (Mark 12:30).
Note down your thoughts.
-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org