Spiritual formation in Russian theological institutions of St. Petersburg

Spiritual formation in theological education is an important factor to be deliberately integrated within theological studies. The topic is much discussed by theological educators in the west. However it is lacking in the Russian Protestant theological literature today. Yet, the meaning and understanding of spirituality and practices of spiritual formation are seriously considered by the Russian secular scholars. The findings from empirical data collected at five theological institutions in St Petersburg confirmed that appropriate spiritual formation in theological institutions is usually left to chance – it is conducted implicitly, and not in a very conscious and systematic manner and usually on a personal basis. It appears that strongly confessional institutions (Orthodox and Catholic) provide an awareness of intentional spiritual formation through spiritual fatherhood and a system of spiritual practices. Protestant evangelical institutions put much more effort to wrestle with state accreditation and its requirements for the licensed theological studies. This obscures the task of intentional formative effect within theology studies. The application of the key insights from the literature regarding spiritual formation and from the empirical study contributed new ideas and suggestions for appropriate spiritual formation in theological education. The suggestions and recommendations included in this thesis to encourage the advance of spiritual formation contributed to the study and practice of Russian theological education