Frankl in a Fallen World
Viktor Frankl. We learned about him in class today, and I think that was one of my favorite lectures of this semester. What an incredible man. His story is heart wrenching, his character is beyond unique; it is steadfast and loving and humble and open. He has many Christ-like qualities and I put him in the category of the Fall- not because he himself seemed fallen, but because the world around him was crumbling and he rose above it.
I have been to Auschwitz concentration camp. It was at the end of a mission trip to Poland my youth group went on. I remember reading Night by Elie Wiesel and actually finishing it as we pulled up to the camp. You can’t really describe what it is like to walk around and see all the brick buildings, the dorms, the shoes, combs, hair. The gas chambers. It is like walking around a ghost town, only wondering in a sort of awe at the horrors that happened there. That was a fallen time. That was a time where death and life intermixed in a twisted dance that left everyone stumbling. Evil prevailed in expected and unexpected ways. Evil blinded; evil killed.
Frankl seemed to remain certain through his time at Auschwitz. He helped others, he cared for the sick, he survived. Frankl decided to persevere as best he could, and he did so with grace. This reminds me of Christ as he carried the cross through the streets of Jerusalem. He was scorned, spit at, discouraged, beaten, broken. Yet he showed kindness and perseverance to finish the task. Frankl had accepted death as a possibility. So did Jesus.
Caroline Nikolaus on The most a human can be
1:01 pm, 12.03.13
Very well done, Levi, love this argument. Your friend’s comment about Jesus’ sacrifice sort of hits one in the heart- not many Christians choose to think about it. I also think, as Christians, we tend to forget Jesus was entirely human. It is a hard thing to grasp, looking at the story from the end, knowing he is the Son of God all along. But your post reminds us about Jesus’ human reactions- the fear of death, and how it DOES give us a “new way to think about our fragile humanity.” Thanks.
Caroline Nikolaus on Maslow and Redemption
12:50 pm, 12.03.13
I like your statement that we “do not really understand our full potential until we see what God can do in our lives.” I think we can achieve things on our own, but if we allow God to work through us, we get a fuller and much more satisfying result. We probably get outcomes we are not expecting as well.
Caroline Nikolaus on The meaningful life
12:46 pm, 12.03.13
“No one can find meaning for you.” I think about how when I came to college, I realized how much of my faith was just a reflection of my parents values, morals, and faith. How I had to rediscover Christ for myself to truly have a real relationship with him. I do believe that everyone believes in something, where its that there is a God, there isn’t a God, whatever. But we base our life and actions around that inner belief system, that code or understanding that gives us direction.
Caroline Nikolaus on Modeling and Fall
11:16 pm, 11.18.13
Jess, I think modeling could fit into many categories too. Creation-we are modeled after God, we act and think and have hearts in God’s own image. Fall-we see society and lust for things that gain us power, fame, popularity, wealth. Redemption and Restoration- learning from the positive forces in our lives, our faith, communities, etc. Modeling is a powerful thing.
Caroline Nikolaus on
11:11 pm, 11.18.13
I agree Matt, it does fit into the redemption category when looking at how behavior can be altered to enhance someone’s well being, as with all therapy. I like how you relate a hopefulness to behaviorism, that it is a symbol to how our sinful natures can change to be more like Christ, I hadn’t thought about it in that way before.
Caroline Nikolaus on The Fall of Reinforcement
11:08 pm, 11.18.13
This is an interesting point Nicole. Miley Cyrus is definitely a good example to choose, but we see a lot more. Especially celebrities that are women, I’ve noticed. It is not so apparent with men, there isn’t as much a drastic change as it is with women in the media, like Hillary Duff, MaryKate and Ashley, Lindsey Lohan, etc. This type of reinforcement/pressure is a good thing to be aware of and realize how much influence it has on our thoughts and actions.
Caroline Nikolaus on The Collective Unconscious
10:42 pm, 11.04.13
It is an interesting idea to think about what all generations have left before us. I think about long ago, when stories were passed down, when skills were passed on. But I think it is true that we somehow acquire instincts or some innate feelings (like fear for certain things, or things like anger or threats) from people before us. So we should be aware that what we do now as a generation could, in fact, influence how generations way into the future act. Kind of a cool thought…
Caroline Nikolaus on James-Lange Theory of Emotion and Redemption
10:45 am, 11.04.13
Wow that is really interesting, I love how you work through Lange’s theory. When we start thinking about what came first, the emotions or the reactions, it sounds a lot like the “chicken and the egg” conundrum. Is there a way prove which one is right? Or do we just know that both things-emotions and bodily responses- influence our actions?
Caroline Nikolaus on William James- emotions
10:35 am, 11.04.13
It is interesting to think about how people would truly act if they were acting because of emotions alone, that would be quite scary. What about thoughts? Do our thoughts influence our emotions, or is it because of our emotions that we begin to think things? Your post reminds me of Freud’s id, ego and superego. Those barriers and safe guards we put in our mind to control our actions are like the superego and ego subduing the id.
Caroline Nikolaus on Weber and Creation
10:41 pm, 10.21.13
Good reflections, Zach. Weber looked into the details that make humans human, he saw and understood our complexities and the amazing features we are born with and grow into. One of your lines struck me, that “senses guide humans through a natural and harmonious life so much so that when we are impaired in one of these areas it is considered a short coming.” How true that we rely on our senses for everything, and yet they almost go unappreciated unless some harm comes to them, and we are left in dysfunction. I respect Weber for seeing the tiny but significant beauties and workings of humans.