On Being and Becoming Human Through Accompaniment and Telos: Ontological Convergences Between Christian Anthropology and the Science of Human Development

We discuss several points of convergence in ontological concepts within Christian anthropology and the contemporary dynamic, relational, developmental systems (RDS)-based approach within developmental science. Both approaches uphold the significance of relationality, particularly of mutually beneficial (nurturing) relationships between every individual and others, as both the means and the ends of human development and thriving. Both magisteriums build similarly on the fundamental significance of dynamic, relational development that provides a goal, or telos, for each individual to live with and for others and that leads to becoming a more fully reciprocating self. We discuss several concepts present in both contemporary developmental science and Christian anthropology: embodiment, holism, specificity of mutually influential individual double left right arrow context coactions, relationality, and telos. We argue that the ontological convergences between Christian anthropology and RDS-based developmental science provide means for enacting mutually beneficial collaborations between religion and science, which, if enacted, could promote thriving lives for individuals and support social justice movements.