Most Christians and Christian communities enjoy a particular emphasis within one of the quadrants of the 'modes' diagram above;

and tension from persons or groups preferring the opposite emphasis serves as a corrective against overemphasis (heresy).

By avoiding dialogue, persons or communities can find themselves moving too far in one direction,

or even expressing two extremes or opposites within their own group.

The greatest difficulty in understanding or accepting the forms of others' spirituality

seems to emerge between those preferring emphases that lie in adjoining quadrants.

Health and wholeness seems to be nourished and sustained by the affirmation and maintenance of an emphasis in any quadrant

if it is lived out in the context of a harmonious balance with the others.

In history, it appears that when theological reflection among the people has been flourishing,

then the emphases of theology and piety in religious life have increased.

When the society or culture has been in upheaval,

there has been a greater emphasis on withdrawal and inner life.

The various emphases on the following chart are based on the standard

 of the New Testament period, as a whole, being considered a 'balance'.

The material offered is intended as a preliminary analysis and overview only,

and is in no way exhaustive.

Further study will produce modifications and adjustments.