Page 117 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 2

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The fundamental meaning of conscience in Christian Psychology

A very short Survey of Conscience, Faith and Will in Christian Psychology and Psychotherapy

Since Bultmann‘s introduction in a theology of the New grace. Faith means the actual provision of grace for the
Testament (1958) the term conscience (as the conscience, individual in its ultimate responsibility.
the awareness of oneself) has become a main focus in un- As a provider of meaning for human consciousness the
derstanding faith as a decision taking attitude in human function of conscience is also closely related to human
existence regarding god‘s revelation. Conscience there- will as the action guiding authority. Relating to Harry
fore means an awareness of guilt (or the possibility of Frankfurt ( Drew University) the will can be considered
becoming guilty) as well as an awareness of an intrinsic as a two level system: first the level of immediate action
meaning in life. The first – in the perspective of refor- (will in action) and second the level of valuating and ap-
mational thinkers – is a prerequisite for an accurate un- praising ones action. The latter is a kind of will for value
derstanding of grace as the center of redemption and of strongly connected with the conscience as the keeper of
spiritual life according to the New Testament. The second meaning for the own self in human consciousness (and
aspect is more important for the individual‘s general sa- unconsciousness). Therefore the forming of a functioning
tisfaction in life – especially in overcoming stressful life- conscience is crucial for any will and value guided human
events like loss and injury. acting in overcoming severe distortions between will in
action and will as valuation and appraisal of action (as
Both, the taking of personal responsibility for ones ini- i.e. addiction).
quities and the capability of giving intrinsic meaning to
things in life – even the harsh ones - , are very important Conscience is what human consciousness informed by
for counselling as well as for christian psychology and human spirit intends to create and to preserve in order
psychotherapy. According to Victor Frankl the consci- to protect the entity and integrity of the own self in it‘s
ence in it‘s function as a prerequisite for ultimate respon- perilous journey through life. As psychologists, psycho-
sibility is an element of personal consistency and conti- therapists and counsellors we will therefore have to pro-
nuity. Only individuals who can be held responsible for vide any support possible to save and to strengthen the
their acting, thinking and speaking appear as persons in a functions and contents of the individual conscience.
full sense. So conscience must be a basic approach to per-
sonal development and change. Being aware of ones own
responsibility in a specific situation in life is the starting
point of every meaningful action in the process of trans-
formation. Meaning itself is a crucial aspect of human
life. Only things that provide meaning for the human
consciousness can be considered as reasonable and con-
sistent for what is called the individual self. The integrity
of the latter is founded in meaningful thoughts, feelings
and actions. So any loss of integrity of self (as far as I can
see this is the main reason for individuals searching help
with a professional psychotherapist) is a loss of meaning
and therefore a menacing state of mind for any person.
Help often begins with the understanding of responsibili-
ty and out of this handles the question of guilt and finally
comes to a search for meaning.
Roland Mahler, Dr.,
Guilt is a main topic of Christian counselling and there- Theologist, Psychologist
fore a main focus of Christian psychology. It has to be MSc, Psychotherapist
separated from what Christian traditions calls sin. The SPV, Director of ICPTP-
latter means a metaphysical distortion between god and Switzerland, he ist the
man that has been overcome by grace in the redeeming author of „Gewissen
act of Jesus Christ. What stays as a remaining quantity is und Gewissensbildung
the feeling of guilt caused by (what Luther calls) a dis- in der Psychotherapie“
comforted conscience. (Conscience and For-
ming of Conscience in
So conscience also stands for the human need of com- Psychotherapy) VS Ver-
fort, which must be the focus of counselling as well as of lag für Sozialwissen-
psychotherapy – on the background of a proclamation of schaften: 2009
icptp@bluewin.ch

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