Morningstar- Christian Pilgrim Standing

[Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture]

      Turner and Turner state "...the Christian pilgrim experiences no rise in status. His moral standing in the community may be increased, but often at the expense of his economic standing- no great loss in a culture which defines material gain as spiritual retrogression" (1978, p. 15). By this statement, Turner and Turner are examining the life of a Christian in which material gain is not important. The believer cares only for the de-centering of himself to become more like Christ; to put aside the desires of the world and to full heartedly pursue Jesus. Christian pilgrimages offer an inward movement of the heart which enables the seeker to experience the spirit the land has to offer. Regardless of whether the pilgrim intended to go on a spiritual journey or not, the individual will experience the sacredness of the land enabling a change amongst them. Each spiritual journey will be different depending on the individual's life and background. No matter what, the pilgrim will come back different and that change will be projected onto society. In the eyes of a Christian pilgrim that change becomes one of sanctification through desiring less of fleshly items and more on heavenly aspirations (Turner & Turner, 1978, p. 15).



Source: Turner, V., Turner, E., 1978. Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture. Columbia University Press, NY, p.15.

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