Toward the Development of A Christian Psychology: Emotion

1980 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald L. Koteskey

This article adds to a previous reinterpretation of psychology from a Christian perspective by placing emotion in that perspective. From various definitions, theories, and experiments it is shown that both the animal-like physiological aspects and the God-like cognitive aspects of emotion must be considered. Finally, several positive and negative emotions are discussed as being part of the image of God in humans.

1979 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald L. Kotesky

This is third in a series of articles placing various areas of psychology in a Christian perspective. Biological motivation is seen as emphasizing how humans are similar to animals. Hunger, thirst, and sex are discussed in greatest detail with other biological motives discussed briefly. Cognitive motivation is seen as emphasizing how humans are created in the image of God. Self-actualization, cognitive consistency, and love are discussed in greatest detail with other cognitive motives discussed briefly.


1978 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald L. Koteskey

A Christian perspective on psychology is briefly reviewed. Sensation is seen as emphasizing how humans are similar to animals. Human sensory organs are similar anatomically and physiologically to those of other mammals. Humans are sensitive to similar stimuli and have similar neural pathways to the brain. Perception is seen as emphasizing how humans are created in the image of God. The central nervous system is not simply a passive receiver of sensory inputs, but an organizer of sensations, cognitions, motivations, and emotions into meaningful experiences. Extrasensory perception, meditation, drugs, dreams, and visions are also discussed from this perspective.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-405
Author(s):  
David VanDrunen

AbstractLegal theorists have long debated whether law originates from a single source (the actions of state officials) or from multiple sources (including the innumerable communities and associations that constitute broader civil society). In recent years, proponents have defended polycentrism—and its critics have tried to refute it—from various moral, economic, and historical angles. But no contemporary writer has examined polycentrism from a Christian perspective. In the absence of such a study heretofore, this article attempts to evaluate legal polycentrism from a Christian theological and jurisprudential perspective. The Christian scriptures and Christian theology do not directly address whether law is polycentric or monocentric. Nevertheless, appealing to a number of biblical-theological issues—including the image of God, the Noahic covenant (Genesis 8:21–9:17), wisdom, and the purpose of civil government—I argue that Christians have good reason to regard polycentrism as a more satisfactory view of law.


2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-100
Author(s):  
Bernd Oberdorfer

Abstract According to Notker Slenczka, Jesus redefined the early Jewish understanding of God so radically that the Old Testament could not remain an adequate expression of the Christian idea of God. Moreover, in the light of historical criticism, the messianic promises of the OT could no longer be read as prophetic references to Jesus, either. The OT could hence only be seen as revelation to Jews; for Christians, however, it is valuable as paradigmatic expression of human reality and their necessity of salvation only, and to them authentic information about redemption is provided only by the New Testament. The essay discusses this position and defines a possible Christian view on the relation between Old and New Testament based on the insight that Jesus’ redefinition of the image of God can only be understood in the light of the history of God’s self-revelation to Israel, of which Jesus is a part; from a Christian perspective, the words, actions and fate of Jesus then also shed new light on the history of God’s self-revelation to Israel.


1978 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald L. Koteskey

This is second in a series of articles placing various areas of psychology in a Christian perspective. Learning is seen as emphasizing how humans are similar to animals. Classical conditioning, instrumental learning, verbal learning, reinforcement, and theories of learning are all discussed. Cognitive processes are seen as emphasizing how humans are created in the Image of God. The need to know, theories of cognitive organization, and the specific problem areas of thinking, concept formation, language, and creativity are all discussed from this perspective.


1993 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 256-266
Author(s):  
Wolfhart Pannenberg

Abstract Although modern society emancipated itself from its Christian roots, Christian motivs continue to be effective even in the realm oflaw. Thus, in the 16. cent., the idea oftoleration had Christian, though not ecclesiastic origins. In a Christian perspective, however, toleration does not entail complete neutrality in all religious matters and on the part of society and legal order such complete neutrality is to be considered delusive. The positive attitude of Christians toward the German constitution is largely bound up with its emphasis on human dignity, which is rooted in the biblical idea of the human person being created in the image of God. In the reality of modern society, on the other hand, personal selfrealization tends to become the fundamental human right, and on certain points (abortion) issues in conflicts with the priority of human dignity. Here, the idea of freedom degenerates into licence, which in a Christian perspective is sin. Another area of particular concern for Christians in the legal system is marriage and family. Here, the author pleads for the Christian emphasis on marriage as basis of the family and indicates its legal consequences.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-65
Author(s):  
Beate Schmid

ZusammenfassungDieser Artikel analysiert den jüngsten Anstieg von Populismus in Österreich, der in Verbindung steht mit Debatten über Migration und Globalisierung. Als österreichische Staatsbürgerin sieht die Autorin im aufkeimenden Populismus und beginnenden Rassismus eine Ursache für Besorgnis. Nach Überlegungen zu Themen wie Konflikt und Rassismus betrachtet die Studie Aspekte von Populismus: Populismus als eine Ideologie, seinen Bezug zu Weltanschauung, zu Ethnozentrismus und Rassismus sowie ursächliche Faktoren in der österreichischen Gesellschaft, die populistische Standpunkte hervorrufen. Der Druck, der im österreichischen Kontext auf dem Stellenwert Identität herrscht, wird in Bezug gesetzt zu Faktoren, die eine österreichische Identitätskrise auslösen.Ethnische Identität bildet sich durch einen komplexen Prozess, bei dem gemeinsame Ähnlichkeiten innerhalb einer Gruppe sowie Differenzen zu anderen Gruppen ausgemacht werden. Dieser Prozess hilft Menschen, die Welt zu verstehen und Identität zu erlangen, doch die Gefahr dabei ist, dass die Leute in Stereotype, wie “Würdige“ und ,,Unwürdige“, eingeteilt werden. Eine kritische Überlegung zur ethnischen Identität aus christlicher Sicht legt nahe, dass eine christliche Identität geprägt wird, indem ,,Gottebenbildlichkeit“ und ,,In-Christus-Sein“ gelebt wird. Die Gemeinde, die eine neue Menschheit verkörpert, muss diese Identität bekräftigen und dem Vorbild von Christus folgen, indem sie eine wiederhergestellte und versöhnte multiethnische Gemeinschaft im Königreich Gottes vorlebt.Der Artikel fragt abschließend, wie Ortsgemeinden in Österreich auf die erörterten Anliegen antworten können und welchen Beitrag multikulturelle Gemeinden zu einer ethnischen Versöhnung leisten können, durch einen Umwandlungsprozess der ,,Befreiung“ von einer negativen Haltung dem ,,anderen“ gegenüber. Er endet mit dem Ansinnen, dass die Kirche in Österreich ihre Berufung erkennen muss, eine ,,expansive“ Gemeinschaft zu sein, damit sie ihre Rolle als Handlungsträger ethnischer Versöhnung in der Gesellschaft erfüllen kann.RésuméCet article considère la montée du populisme en Autriche et les débats concernant l’immigration et la globalisation qui lui sont liés. L’auteur, citoyenne autrichienne, juge préoccupante la montée du populisme et le racisme qui se fait jour. Après des réflexions sur les thèmes du conflit et du racisme, elle considère le populisme sous divers angles : le populisme en tant qu’idéologie, son rapport à la vision du monde, à l’ethnocentrisme, puis au racisme, et les facteurs sous-jacents à la société autrichienne qui provoquent des prises de position populistes. Les pressions identitaires dans le contexte autrichien sont analysées en fonction de facteurs favorisant une crise de l’identité autrichienne.L’identité ethnique se forme par un processus complexe qui consiste à identifier des similarités partagées au sein d’un groupe social, ainsi qu’un ensemble de différences par rapport à d’autres groupes. Ce processus aide des êtres humains à donner un sens au monde et à se forger une identité, mais il présente le danger de fabrication de stéréotypes en fonction desquels on va classer les gens en « méritants » et « déméritants ». Une réflexion critique sur l’identité ethnique d’un point de vue chrétien conduit à l’idée que l’identité chrétienne se forme par le fait d’être « image de Dieu » et « en Christ ». L’Église, nouvelle humanité, doit affirmer cette identité et suivre l’exemple de Christ en édifiant une communauté du royaume de Dieu multiethnique restaurée et réconciliée.L’auteur termine en examinant comment les Églises locales autrichiennes peuvent répondre aux problèmes abordés et comment des Églises multiculturelles peuvent contribuer à réconcilier des personnes appartenant à des ethnies différentes, grâce au processus de transformation qui libère d’attitudes négatives vis-à-vis d’autrui. Elle suggère que les Églises autrichiennes doivent considérer leur vocation à être des communautés ouvertes afin de remplir leur rôle d’agents de réconciliation entre ethnies au sein de la société dans son ensemble.SummaryThis article explores the recent rise of populism in Austria which is bound up with debates about migration and globalisation. As an Austrian citizen, the author finds the rise of populism and the incipient racism cause for concern. Following reflection on themes like conflict and racism, the study considers aspects of populism: populism as an ideology, its relationship to world-view, to ethnocentrism and to racism and the underlying factors in Austrian society which provoke populist stances. The pressures on identity in the Austrian setting are viewed in relation to factors prompting an Austrian identity crisis.Ethnic identity is formed through a complex process of finding shared similarities within a group as well as finding differences from other groups. This process helps human beings to make sense of the world and to gain identity, but the dangers include stereotyping people into the 'deserving' and 'undeserving'. Critical reflection on ethnic identity from a Christian perspective suggests that Christian identity is shaped by being in the ‘image of God’ and ‘in Christ’. The Church, a new humanity, needs to affirm this identity and to follow Christ’s example in modelling a restored and reconciled multi-ethnic kingdom community.The article concludes by probing how local churches in Austria can respond to the issues discussed and the potential contribution of multicultural churches to ethnic reconciliation through the transformative process of being ´liberated` from negative attitudes to the ‘other’. It suggests that the church in Austria needs to realise its calling to be an ‘expansive’ community in order to fulfil its role as an agent of ethnic reconciliation in the wider society.


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