Spiritual Friendship: A Metaphor for Integrating Attachment Theory into Classic Christian Spiritual Direction

Authors

• D. Gregory McElyea, Asbury Theological Seminary

Abstract

This article originated in the author’s doctoral dissertation. It refines and expands the literature review with respect to attachment processes in Christian spirituality. The central thesis is that insights from attachment theory, specifically as framed in Todd Hall’s “relational spirituality” model, can be integrated into the scope of classic Christian spiritual direction. The goal is to reimagine the dynamics of insecure attachment to God as expressions of dissonance in what Adrian van Kaam called the intrasphere, which includes the disciple’s emotional life, and the intersphere, which involves the disciple’s relational life.

In fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Ministry program, the author conducted a pilot study that explored the effects of an attachment-informed spiritual direction group experience. The participants were comprised of students enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary during the Fall 2022 term. A summary of key findings is included below. The dissertation, which contains the full research design and analyses, is available in print and electronically at the B. L. Fisher Library.

DOI

10.7252/Journal.02.2026F.03

Recommended Citation

McElyea, D. Gregory (2026) "Spiritual Friendship: A Metaphor for Integrating Attachment Theory into Classic Christian Spiritual Direction," The Asbury Theological Journal: Vol. 81: No. 2, p. 431-462.
Available at: https://place.asburyseminary.edu/asburyjournal/vol81/iss2/4