ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the first of four key themes in the model of relational integration: embodiment. It discusses theological and psychological resources for understanding the embodied reality of human existence and suggests embodiment serves as an integrative theme rather than being limited to a discrete level of analysis. The chapter then offers embodied ways for understanding relational integration between psychology and theology, including an understanding of the pursuit of human knowledge as a thoroughly embodied endeavor. Finally, it suggests the viability of a natural theology for supporting and amplifying the notion of embodiment in interdisciplinary integration. The importance of acknowledging the finitude of embodied integration can be seen in the connections between several broad areas of interdisciplinary research, such as sexuality, health psychology and psychoanalytic research on coping with illness and trauma, and embodiment theology and pastoral care related to disability. The finitude of embodied integration also has implications for the relational stance of integrators.
