George Kelly: Do you see what I see?
George Kelly had quite an adventurous childhood and young adulthood. His life consisted of multiple moves, schooling in a one-room school, tutoring from his parents, attendance to four different high schools, giving speech classes to immigrants wishing to become U.S. citizens, becoming a member of the Navy in World War II, and living during the Great Depression. It is interesting also to note that at one point Kelly taught drama. His life was filled with many different roles and opportunities. Then, once the Great Depression hit, he gained a passion for psychology. He desperately wanted to help all of the troubled people. And shortly after, he got the opportunity to do so. Kelly began working with students and teachers both, and they all experienced a variety of emotional problems. Because Kelly didn’t have an extensive background in psychology nor was he trained in any therapeutic approaches, “he began to experiment with a variety of approaches, and he discovered that anything that caused his clients to view themselves or their problems differently improved the situation” (p. 545). This is why I would argue that George Kelly informs us about redemption. In his theories, I see hope. In his theories, I see a glimpse of a brighter future.
One thing I really like about Kelly is that, yes, he recognizes human fault. He sees the “fall” of humans. He recognizes emotional disturbances, limitations on human perspectives, and different ways humans process events and situations. But, Kelly doesn’t think we have to stay there. He thinks if we can just begin to see ourselves differently, if we can continue to play “make-believe” as adults, then we can pull ourselves out of the pits. Kelly’s therapeutic approach reflected his belief that psychological problems are largely related to perceptual problems, meaning the goal of therapy is to help the client view themselves and situations differently. I love this quote by Kelly:
We take the stand that there are always some alternative constructions available to choose among in dealing with the world. No one needs to paint himself into a corner; no one needs to be completely hemmed in by circumstances; no one needs to be the victim of his biography.
We don’t have to play the victim, and because of that I see freedom, hope, and redemption.
Jacey Ferrara on Spencer: God or Evolution
5:26 pm, 10.21.13
Nicci,
I love your post. Spencer is so intriguing. A believer in a massive blob of individual things such as the nervous system that through evolution just came together… how peculiar. It’s hard for me to picture this kind of development. It reminds me of magic almost… like fluff on the ground, a needle and thread, and some fabric just flying off the ground and being placed together into a pillow while birds hum in the background. Haha! It just sounds so silly to me, but it is a very interesting train of thought and I can’t say I would’ve ever had a thought like this! I think it’s cool that you can see the need for a higher power in such deeply rooted evolutionary ideas. This post has me thinking! Thanks!
Jacey Ferrara on Gall's Phrenology and Fall
5:14 pm, 10.21.13
Mengyuan,
I think Gall is so interesting. It’s fascinating to me the idea of looking at the outside physical appearances of someones head to determine a set of behaviors and attitudes. I agree that Gall can easily be placed under the Fall. Phrenology very obviously states that people are well developed in some areas and underdeveloped in other faculties, which leads us to understand we are not all created equal and therefore have faults, thus the fall. In addition, I think it’s interesting that Gall typically seems to be describing faculties that lead to judgements of stealing, lying, etc. I don’t recall hearing too many positive things he. For example, he doesn’t say a raised faculty in “X” area is associated with resilient person. I like reading other people’s thoughts on Gall, so thanks for posting!
Jacey Ferrara on Kierkegaard and Humanity
6:40 pm, 10.07.13
Kasey, I too, had trouble identifying one category to put Kierkegaard into. I agree that he teaches us about each aspect of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. I like that you saw his theory as an allegory for how we must grow as individuals. I also liked that you focused on the three stages of life he talks about. I took a more broad approach when I was trying to identify what his thinking contributes to, but even focusing on these three stages there is so much to unpack. I see how Tyler could say overall, he is a redemption-ist (?) because even these stages show he believes people can make improvements and advancements in their stages of life.
Jacey Ferrara on Schopenhauer's pessimism
5:59 pm, 10.07.13
Zach,
I definitely see how Schopenhauer teaches us about the fall. His ideas definitely seem pessimistic and all geared at discussing the flaws of humans. It seems like he really doesn’t hold any hope for humans, and honestly if I thought the way he did, I think I would feel depressed. I really like that you ended your blog post with mentioning the resurrection of Jesus and the power that holds! We are fallen, but we don’t have to stay that way by the grace and mercy of God.
Jacey Ferrara on Born free
5:26 pm, 10.07.13
Anna,
First of all, I love this post! Secondly, I love how you included Rousseau’s ideas about education. I am considering teaching in my future, and I think ideals and perspectives about learning and education are very impactful. I really like how you question the idea of sovereign power found through people. I’ve never really thought of the emphasis we place on society and people as the “cause” for why some things are the way they are. I know I have often blamed things on society, viewing it as the most influential source of someone’s life. In truth, God is the highest, reigning power. And the Bible also warns that this battle is not of flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:10-20). Awesome post… has me thinking! Thanks!
Jacey Ferrara on Francesco Petrarch - Blog Post #2
8:37 pm, 09.21.13
Nicci,
I haven’t seen too many posts that connect philosophers with Creation, so I really like that you were able to see that! I can see how Petrarch contributes to both creation and to restoration. When you brought up some of Petrarch’s beliefs about the vast human capabilities and man’s ability to do good things and make something of himself, it reminds me of a verse in Genesis. Genesis 1:31 states, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning–the sixth day.” I like your perspective!
Jacey Ferrara on Averroes and Redemption
7:43 pm, 09.21.13
Kasey,
You make some very good cases that support Averroes and his contribution to redemption. I thought it was especially interesting that he thought religion and philosophy were two different paths to get to the same truth, and that man’s destiny was to progress towards pure thinking. About the two different paths to the same truth, I used to think they would only lead to different beliefs until a friend of mine researched a lot of philosophy and concluded for himself that everything pointed back to God. Additionally, the idea that man should be improving his thoughts into more pure ones matches a lot of scripture I know of! Scripture tells us to fix our gaze on Jesus, be like-minded with Jesus, be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect, to be of sober mind, etc. Your post definitely had me thinking! Thanks.
Jacey Ferrara on Luther and the Fall
6:55 pm, 09.21.13
Hillary,
I also agree that Luther teaches us about the fall! I think it’s interesting that Luther believed that you essentially had to live a perfect life in order to make it to Heaven. And yet, in his interactions with Erasmus, Luther is described as “mean, disrespectful, and dogmatic” (98). I wonder if Luther thought of himself as safe and going to Heaven? He is such an interesting person to study!
Jacey Ferrara on Creation-Fall-Redemption-Restoration
9:09 pm, 09.09.13
Nicci,
My favorite part of your post was definitely when you pointed out that Plato would say that a tree we see is only a slight resemblance to the perfect, full form of that tree. You then proceeded to make a connection as a Christian and the redemption process. I have never thought of that before. I really liked your point and I could connect it with a verse in 1 Corinthians 13!
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV
Jacey Ferrara on Thales and Creation
8:59 pm, 09.09.13
Hillary,
I can definitely see your thinking behind Thales and creation. It’s very interesting that you pointed out he was looking at nature and even at the stars, and was the creator of Greek astronomy. The things you were describing actually reminded me of Genesis 1 and although Thales didn’t believe in supernatural forces, he was seeking to understand the how’s and why’s of creation!