Interpersonal communication and intimate relationships are complex and sophisticated phenomena, constructed, engaged, and sustained by people through discourses with one another. This implies that continuous understanding and maintaining connections with others is a challenging endeavor only enabled by integrating and practicing grace in daily interactions. According to Seymour (2012), communication is a distinctive attribute of humans, supporting their relational nature. Seymour’s (2012) research question interrogates explores C. S. Lewis’ writings on the compelling essenceendorsement of grace as a critical vital ingredient in intimate relationships and interpersonal communications.
The quality of discourse and conversations determine the progress or degeneration of relationships. Seymour’s (2012) publication underscores the indispensability of grace in intimate connections and interpersonal communication as the dominant argument. It is imperative to observe high standards of interactions as the “quality of communication patterns and exchanges within intimate relationships lead either to relational health and growth or stagnation and decline” (Seymour, 2012, p. 6). Consequently, engagements should integrate all the critical components which reflect human nature and its characteristics, including biological, psychological, and gender aspects. Seymour (2012) argues that these disparities contribute to the “substantial differences between men and women’s communication patterns” (p. 174). However, an outstanding refutation in the article is the simplicity and binarity of nature versus nurture argument in communication within the context of relationships.
The article has significant implications regarding fostering and practicing grace in communication and relationships. According to Seymour (2012), integrating communication elegance in daily exchanges enhances the quality of life since “grace begets graciousness” and “turns what is natural into supernatural” (p. 207). However, the publication’s major setback is the exclusive exploration of C. S. Lewis’ work, although the limitation is offset by the extensive comparisons and incorporation of diverse perspectives, including Christian and philosophical communication dimensions. Although the author points to the availability of presence and practice of grace in communicative relationships, a transpiring question is how scholars should properly name and fully articulate such concepts in their works.
Reference
Seymour, C. G. (2012). Grace in intimate interpersonal communication: C. S. Lewis on its presence and practice (Publication No. 3518622) [Doctoral dissertation, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.