Transpersonal Psychology and redemption
Near the end of Maslow’s life, he began to think about a new kind of psychology that goes beyond personal experience and includes a fourth force which would be the spiritual aspects of human nature. He believed that humanistic and third-force psychology were a preparation for this acclaimed fourth force. It continues to address human needs and identity, but it goes beyond those things. He suggested that this would offer a tangible and effective satisfaction of the frustration that many desperate people have. This gives promise of life and value, instead of confusion and worthlessness.
This perfectly fits with the idea of redemption! Because of the blood we are sons and daughters of God. How can we worry about who we are, what others think, and our needs if we come to a grasp on the idea that salvation doesn’t just mean we are going to heaven, but it means that heaven is coming into us through a relationship with the holy spirit?!? There can be no doubt, hopelessness, or fear because the devil has already lost. We have been clothed by the father in purity and that brings us back to the identity of who we were created to be from the beginning, before the fall. If we focus on our true identity, sons and daughters that already please God because of his grace, we deny ourselves and everything God has we receive because we are his and ALREADY seated in the throne room of grace. We have his mind because of the holy spirit. My goodness, there cannot be doubt or fear in a Christian who knows their true identity. We weren’t called to believe in God and then live in hell until we get to heaven. We were called to die to ourselves, take up our cross and follow him while letting heaven manifest through us because of our relationship with the holy spirit!! People need to know how amazing they are because everyone was created in the image of God and everyone was washed by the blood. Maslow is right! People are broken, confused, lost, seeking their true identity, and the fourth factor of psychology brings freedom! The truth sets us free and gives us life and value; just like Maslow said, just like Jesus said. Jesus is the way, the truth, the life, whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Deny yourself, learn your identity, and receive the father’s love. Seriously, almost every Christian has a problem with themselves. Once we start believing that the cross is enough this world is going to change!
Zach Stromberg on Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the Fall
9:07 pm, 10.20.13
Interesting point, and I definitely can relate to his ideas in a sense. Community is influential in any way you look at it. It can be detrimental and fake, full of fear and insecurity, trying to fit in and look better than everyone else. However, it can also be life giving and wonderful. Living in a community of people who walk in the Spirit and genuinely love each other has blessed me and grown me more than any other place in my life. What an uplifting blessing it is to live with people who seek Jesus while living in life-giving love (am I right Irene, Haley, Rebecca, Jenny, Laura Kate?!?!)
Zach Stromberg on Human Studies
8:57 pm, 10.20.13
The truth in redemption is such a beautiful realism. Like you said there became a newly found curiosity and awareness of who we were, so studying it is only natural. Thankfully there is redemption in a sense of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual (etc.) refreshment. People know there is more in truth, that’s why opening our hearts to the spirit can essentially bring life!!
Zach Stromberg on Goethe and Redemption
4:17 pm, 10.05.13
I definitely agree with these thoughts concerning Goethe. The fact that he looked at the two sides of things and saw that there was always a way to move past, and move forward. There will always be hardships, but, like you said, there is a sense of overcoming these trials and that is a direct connection with the idea of resurrection. There is always a way to move past, and something greater to look to. Thankfully we have access to the grace and power in the resurrection that has overcome all of our sins, pains, weaknesses, etc. I can’t think of anything much more encouraging than that.
Zach Stromberg on Hume and The Fall
4:09 pm, 10.05.13
It is definitely interesting to see how influential thinkers label morality. I think that actions can definitely be driven by passions, but that we need to balance that with a sense of rationality. Like you mentioned, when we just base our actions and responses on our passions we can tend to not live morally in accordance to God’s heart and will. Thankfully, God molds and guides our hearts so those sinful desires become erased as we behold him and experience more of a fullness in his spirit.
Zach Stromberg on Immanuel Kant and the Fall of Humanity
4:04 pm, 10.05.13
Great point about Kant. This idea of the fall of man is so prevalent in regards to so many thinkers. Because he even questions good and evil, and the intention of man, that points him in the direction of belief that man has fallen from perfection. Humanity certainly has downfalls, and Kant recognizes that. This whole idea of good and evil really sets a precedent for many thinkers throughout history.
Zach Stromberg on
6:53 pm, 09.22.13
Yeah, very good thoughts about the connection between peace and restoration. I’ve always loved the idea presented in the sermon of the mount: “blessed are the peaceMAKERS for they will be called children of God.” There is a distinction between peace keepers and peace makers, and I think that being a peace maker has so much influence because of the difficulty of the task. It is not just about keeping everyone happy, it is tied back to love and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. That is why this idea of restoration is so beautiful.
Zach Stromberg on Averroes and Redemption
6:41 pm, 09.22.13
Averroes definitely had some interesting ideas. I think you made a great point by unraveling some of his contribution to thoughts surrounding redemption. This idea of harmony and unification Averroes promoted and suggested really does open up the door for overcoming the fall and starting anew. The world is still under the influence of the fall, but Averroes saw that there was something more to be had. He really stepped out of his time period with these suggestions of unification and equality.
Zach Stromberg on Johannes Gutenberg
6:32 pm, 09.22.13
Through his innovation and creation of the printing press, Gutenberg significantly impacted the kingdom of God. What a blessed and brilliant idea. He paved the way for Jesus to be accessible to all people, just by making the Bible a book that many people could own. Even with the power of the churches, and the lack of literacy, Gutenberg’s mass printing of the Bible opened the door for many people to live intimately with Jesus. What a magnificent thought.
Zach Stromberg on Thales and Creation
8:17 pm, 09.09.13
It’s interesting to think how paradigm shifts in accepted beliefs really challenge people. It’s especially challenging when we consider the creation of what man has known for so long. It’s important to continue to live a life that challenges what is commonly accepted and believed, because we are called to go deeper into unraveling of truth. This is especially relevant to our intimate relationships with Christ. I am challenged and grown when I seek to know him in a deeper place and it definitely continues to shape my beliefs and the position of my heart.
Zach Stromberg on Hippocrates: Fall and Future Hope
8:07 pm, 09.09.13
Great comparison of Hippocrates’ way of thinking to the idea of redemption, new creation, and even the teachings of Jesus. It’s interesting that when we experience some sort of pain or discomfort we tend to dwell in the idea of restoration. Even throughout history, all the way to the present, there is that sense of hope you mentioned, whether it was in natural healing, medicine, or the power of Jesus’ sacrifice. Because of the state of the fallen world, we are blessed to be able to hope in restoration because there is a form of redemption that can push us past our fallen selves.