Date

4-2012

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Chair

Fred Milacci

Primary Subject Area

Religion, Clergy; Psychology, General; Religion, General; Philosophy

Keywords

Evangelical Men, Finishing Well, Retirement-Age, Spiritual Transformation

Disciplines

Counseling Psychology | Philosophy | Psychology | Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

The baby boomers comprise a large segment of the United States population (78 million) but many of them are without spiritual resources to finish well in life. However, there are a few Evangelical men who have experienced spiritual transformation in retirement-age and have discovered the resources for security and significance in the spiritual dimension. Through a qualitative research design the stories of eight participants gave richness and depth to this study. These men described how they and others were impacted by the transformation experience. They discarded superficial forms of cultural Christianity to embrace authentic intrinsic change. The spiritual transformation experience, triggered by one or more precursors, was evidenced by a life-style of ubiquitous characteristics such as service to others, forgiveness, humility, enhanced bible study and prayer, reduction of worry, and hatred for sin. This research gave understanding of the phenomenon to the participants and others who were questing meaning and purpose in life.

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