Some Definitions.

        What is discernment and what is diagnosis in the religious realm? More importantly, what is true discernment and what is correct diagnosis spiritually and theologically grounded? And how can such discernment and diagnosis, in consultation with other fields of knowledge, such as education, psychology and medicine, be applied to human development? These questions involve complex issues. Formally speaking discernment and diagnosis are parallel terms having to do with knowing and knowledge. Both derive from verbs meaning to recognize, distinguish, and come to know something in a penetrating way. Discernment is the power and skill to see, analyze, and arrive at a deep insight about any given matter. Diagnosis is the ability to compare, assess, and come to a conclusion as a result of the exercise of discernment. Often inseparable and indistinguishable from one another, discernment and diagnosis may well be at times largely intuitive and inspirational. Yet they are also part of a process of observation, thought, and aptitudes developed through accumulated wisdom and trained skill.

        At the heart of the issue is the question of truth both theoretically and functionally, truth as the basis of fulness of life. But truth is as comprehensive as it is complex, all-embracing reality. There are consequently different kinds and various levels of discernment and diagnosis pertaining to the diverse yet related dimensions of human existence and fields of knowledge including religion, philosophy, politics, sociology, economics, and physics, as well as medicine and psychology. An engineer who discerns cracks in the structure of a bridge will make the necessary diagnosis for repairs lest it collapse and cause harm. A marriage counselor who discerns cracks in a marriage will provide the diagnosis for healing lest the marriage break apart. A pastor who discerns cracks in a Christian's life of prayer will provide the diagnosis for spiritual growth lest the Christian lose all sense of relatedness to God. The obvious challenge is how the tasks of discernment and diagnosis in various fields can become cooperative and mutually supportive in the pursuit of truth and the enhancement of all life in its ecological totality.