None So Tender-Hearted: The Christological Pattern of Compassion in the Pastoral Care of John Flavel

Abstract

This dissertation examines compassion as an integral component of John Flavel’s pastoral theology. The research explores the connection between Flavel’s Christology and pastoral care through a prism of three interconnected theological unions: the hypostatic union, the mystical union of believers to Christ, and the moral union of believers in Christ’s mystical body. Flavel’s Christological focus lies at the center of all his considerations of pastoral compassion. The dissertation also explores several moorings for pastoral compassion in contrast to contemporary empathy-centric approaches to soul care.