Page 62 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 7

Foundational Discussions in Christian Psychology

conventional understandings or later themes of quences of our actions (individual and shared)
developing the capacity to accept paradox or to in order to increase the kinds of outcomes that
value multiple perspectives. we want and need in our lives. We do more and
So my second dimension of facets honours more of what works. In the beginning this will
these themes but separates them from distinct be based on fairly immediate consequences, but
stages of development, particularly from any as we get older we develop the ability to delay
sense of progressing through these themes in gratification. There may be shifts in the de-
a way which is invariant, sequential or hierar- gree to which we are motivated by personal or
chical; rather, these facets, I propose: a) are al- shared consequences.
ways simultaneously present within us even if Lesson Two – We find ways to cope with the
often relatively latent in terms of our attending chaos and unfairness of the world. There are
to them, b) become more or less the focus of our probably two key aspects of such coping – a
attention for a season (possibly more than one narrative belief, to “make sense” of the chaos,
at a time), c) will proceed through their seasons and a corresponding behaviour that grows out
in any sequence and with much repetition, d) of that belief. For some, accepting a set of rules
will often provide the shape by which the other and punishments helps to impose some order,
dimension (i.e. maturity) develops, e) highlight at least for a time, though eventually we come
the spiritual elements of maturity, and f) are to see the chaos that remains or is even caused
linked to each other; i.e., increasing maturity by “law.”
in any one facet enhances the opportunities for Lesson Three – A serious complication deve-
deeper maturing in the other facets. lops, possibly quite early in life, when we realise
There is little doubt in my mind that these facets that chaos is not only in the external world, but
are somewhat arbitrary – they could be descri- in our own internal world. Thoughts and fee-
bed in very different terms, and there could lings take a hold of us that don’t seem to be our
easily be value in seeing more (or perhaps fe- choice. We have difficulty choosing actions that
wer) facets than these four. Nevertheless, I have lead to the consequences that we want, leading
found it possible to see how much of our spiri- to personal confusion and pain. We explore
tual development can be described in relation to ways of coping with this apparent inner divisi-
the four facets introduced below. For the sake on or multiplicity.
4
of brevity, each facet will largely be described by Getting Stuck – We can get bogged down in this
a summary of suggested “lessons,” which may facet by not mastering goal-oriented action. We
exemplify the type of growth possible as that stay focused on instant gratification or develop
facet is highlighted in one’s life. For some, these no impulse control. We blame or envy others
lessons may be very empirical, human and ra- when we are not able to get what we desire. We
tional, while for many they deeply integrate re- feel a deep sense of shame when we fail or when
ligious practices, institutions and beliefs as well others see our weakness. We believe that we are
as experienced interaction with transcendence. helpless and unable to change the circumstances
of our lives, as in our experience of addictions.
1 - Chaos and Order Of course, there are a myriad of spiritual questi-
The first facet centres around responding to cau- ons in these lessons. Do we understand God as
se and effect, to learning the consequences of a Judge? Is it God that accuses or Satan? Or do
our actions and those of others. During seasons we see karmic forces at work? How were chaos
when this facet is prominent, we give attention and order formed in the origins of our world –
to the nature of what is predictable and what is in Creation? Is there spiritual help or are there
not in the world around us. We explore expe- disciplines that we can learn to deal with our in-
riences of justice that at times seem inexorable ner chaos? Are there consequences beyond that
and at other times elusive. which we can see – in the bigger global context
Lesson One – We pay attention to the conse- or in the afterlife?

4 I assume that it is possible to see some echoes of the ma-
jor central stages from the models of Fowler and others.
61