Sensitivity and Responsibility

Dr. med. Samuel PfeiferPresentation

ACC StrassbourgMarch 2011

Biblical text

Ephesians 4 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God

and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves,

and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Characteristics of gentile life style: – Futility of their thinking– Sensuality– Anger more?

The «shadow»

C.G. Jung speaks of the «shadow» in our lives The inacceptable drives «The flesh» Galatians 5:17: For the flesh desires what is contrary to

the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want.

What are conflicts between flesh and spirit?

Which conflicts do you encounter in couselling that involve a conflict between «the flesh» and «the spirit»?

Sin and psychopathology– Are these terms equivalent? Why not?– How would you distinguish the two?

Meanings of the term «Responsibility»

The source of a problem («Who / What / which behavior is responsible for this?»)

– Danger: blaming, causing guilt feelings, religion as an instrument to create neurotic guilt and condemnation

Accountability for my behavior

Efforts (basic attitude, will power, and actions) to live a life compatible with Biblical values.

Ambivalence is a core feature of neuroticism

On the one hand – on the other hand

AmbivalenceAmbivalence

Reducedability toperform

Reducedability toperform

VegetativeComplaints

VegetativeComplaints

Emotionallability

Emotionallability

InhibitionsInhibitionsImpairedcontact

Impairedcontact

Zones de tension

Besoins, DésirsMotivations, ImpulsionsEmotions

Je veux faire ce qui est juste et bien pour plaire à DIEU

*** d’autres idéaux ??

I D E A UX

“Pourquoi dois-je souffrir?”situation de vie- réseau social – constitutionphysique /émotionelle

R E A L I T E

Construction Extérieure

ExpérienceIntérieure

lois et limitations

(Sub)culturellesRESPONSABILITE

Brain activity and mental conflict

When a test person gets conflicting informations, there is an increased brain activity. There is a biology of conflicting value decisions.

Conflicts cost energy

Binder, J. R. et al. J. Neurosci. 1997;17:353-362Decision: “Du you hear a tone or a voice?”

Irresponsibility: «Flies in the ointment»

"Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to putrefy and send forth a vile odor; so does a little folly (in him who is valued for wisdom) outweigh wisdom and honor" (Amplified). – (Ecclesiastes 10,1)

We are „a fragrance of Christ“(2 Corinthians 2:15)

The following slides are inspired by Kelly O’Donald’s essay on «foxes and flies»

Flies in the fragrance of Christ

Like flies in perfume, our folly – our sin – can alight in our souls, and wreak havoc on our wisdom, honor, and work.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough, as Paul says (I Corinthians 5:6).

Typology: Small flies and dangerous insects

Some types of folly are more damaging than others. Household flies are a nuisance: unwanted habits in our

life and minor character weaknesses of which we are trying to rid ourselves.

Dangerous flies, can bite, sting, and carry diseases, could really hurt us. Serious folly: unconfessed sin, unrecognized arrogance, hidden compulsive addictions, and pervasive personality patterns that are un-healthy/unholy.

Just one public or even private manifestation of such serious folly -- these wrong behaviors and attitudes -- can neutralize our work effectiveness, compromise our integrity, destabilize our emotional life, and hurt others?

"Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good" (Ecclesiastes 9:18).

Folly and Dis-grace

Folly leads to disgrace. Just a bit of it is all it takes to damage our reputation -- and God's

Examples: rash words, questionable financial dealings, physical and emotional affairs

Disgrace not only results from the actual content of the folly.

Problem 1: external shame and disgrace Problem 2: denying or minimizing our problem/sin. Problem 3: not believing in God's restorative desire

to forgive and help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Desire – Temptation – Fear / Values

James 1:14ff: – 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away

by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Temptation reveals the desires in us that are at conflict with the values of stability, order, tradition

DISCUSS: What are Christian / Biblical values which conflict with human desires? (If applicable, use examples from your counseling experience).

Humanistic philosophy vs. Counseling

If it feels good – it is good

IN COUNSELLING– Is it o.k. to look for happiness?– Is it good for my health to give up legitimate desires?– May I test the limits in pursuit of happiness?

Encouraging integrity

Tension in counselling– Accepting legitimate desires for closeness, love, security– Encouraging integrity

Is it o.k. to establish rules? Is it o,k, to encourage resistance? How can we establish a «healthy conscience» What is «freedom»?

Responsibility in Therapy (B. Narramore)

1. The individual is immediately responsible for altering the problem behavior (regardless of who was responsible for its origin).

2. The individual is responsible for maturing in a way that alters his or her inner sinful patterns (nature) that led to the problem.

3. The individual is responsible for altering both the sins and the sinful nature.

4. Parents, spouses, therapists or others are responsible for evoking specific behavioral changes.

Narramore B. The concept of responsibility in psychopathology and psychotherapy. Journal of Psychology and Theology 13:91-96, 1985.

Responsibility in Therapy (B. Narramore)

“A comprehensive view of responsibility avoids both irresponsible acting out and unhealthy repression. It acknowledges both that we have been sinned against and that we are sinners. It acknowledges that both our specific sinful choices and the sinfulness inherent in our fallen natures contribute to our problems. And it acknowledges that we are responsible even for our unconscious sins – not because we purposefully choose them but because they grow out of our own fallen natures.”

Narramore B. The concept of responsibility in psychopathology and psychotherapy. Journal of Psychology and Theology 13:91-96, 1985.

The limitations of conscience

Romans 14 1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable

matters. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.

Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

1. John 3 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and

he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God