Attachment and Spiritual Maturity 32
In pursuit of a theoretical study of dependency, Shackelford (1978) compared
psychological dependence to a biblical concept of dependence. He concluded that
spiritual maturity from a biblical perspective involves a mature dependence on God
similar to the mature dependence described by object relations theorists Fairbairn (1954),
Guntrip (1961 ), and Pingleton (1984). Pingleton (1984) argued that this dependence
comprises the ideal or mature form of interpersonal relationship from both an object
relations and biblical perspective. When one is able to stand alone, but chooses to relate
to others who are able and willing to do the same, there is interdependence.
Maturity with respect to God and others, agreed Carter and Barnhurst (1986) is
realized through the dynamic ofrelationship. This is confirmed by Strahan's (1998)
recent study. His results clearly indicate that those who report having received optimal
parenting with high care and low overprotection, tend to be quite resistant to leaving their
Christian beliefs and a God who is available and caring. He argues that this reflects
successful socialization and integration of relational and spiritual maturity.
Kirkpatrick (1994) claims that God, although much more than just an attachment
figure, is a needed attachment particularly in a narcissistic society in which there are so
many broken relationships. He compares God to an attachment figure. The defining
features of an attachment relationship include the feelings of comfort and security. It also
includes the role of the attachment figure as both a haven of safety (in the presence of
threat) and a secure base for exploration (in the absence of threat) and the distress and/or
protest occasioned by potential or actual separation from the attachment figure
(Kirkpatrick, 1992; Kirkpatrick, 1994). These features describe who God has revealed
himself to be, thereby representing an ideal attachment figure. God is infallible and can
always be trusted; whereas humans are not perfectly trustworthy. Therefore relevant to
the development of spiritual maturity is the individual's attachment to God.
Attachment and the emotions that organize attachment behaviors are adaptive and
serve to form a secure base from which the individual can confront the world (Bowlby,
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