Page 65 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 7

Foundational Discussions in Christian Psychology

connections between individual and systemic world and seek ways to express it. We look for
errors and wrongs. We break away from unhel- practical bridges between imagination and rea-
pful narratives and question former interpreta- lity. We engage spiritual resources in ways that
tions. make a difference in the real world.
Lesson Three – We find ways to tear down what The tendency toward bifurcation of this facet is
is not working well, to deconstruct what is not heightened when one’s focus is inward or pro-
helping. We face the tension between this de- tective. Possibilities of uniting both aspects are
construction and the strains it places on our enhanced when built on empathy and solidarity
networks of relationships. If the tension is too with others; then radical faith and compassio-
much we might exchange one community for nate humanism can come together in powerful
another, but we may prefer to tolerate the ten- ways. The potential intensity of either pathway
sion and bridge communities in spite of diffe- (probably most when combined) can be seen
rence. We may head “into the wilderness” for when there arises a willingness to sacrifice or
a time, separating ourselves from any close even die for the sake of others or a better world.
community in order to detach more completely Getting Stuck (for A & B) – Despair or hope-
from the unhelpful patterns we are resisting. lessness may be the primary obstacle here. This
Lesson Four – We counter the old by speaking can result from being overwhelmed at the im-
or acting prophetically – boldly naming new in- mensity of all that is wrong or from early def-
terpretations, or symbolically or experimentally eats in either pathway. Some personalities also
helping to build new alternatives. With others, find any questioning of the status quo a very
we try to embody new ways and interact in new anxious process and would rather not “rock the
systems. Often such new communities struggle boat” limiting development in this facet.
to find a new balance between critique and af- One of the central spiritual questions is where
firmation, since the critical mode has been so we do (or don’t) see God in the process. If God
crucial for a season. is understood to be more a part of the problem,
then theism may be scrapped in order to sepa-
B) Imagination and Hope. While some respond rate ourselves from all the wrong and violence
to the brokenness of human culture with resi- for which the concept of God has stood. If, on
stance, others have the ability to see hope and the other hand, we see God as the voice calling
possibility in the midst of our messy world. us into the wilderness, then we meet God as if
Usually with an intuitive or disciplined spiri- for the first time.
tual insight, they envision alternative pathways
that are not immediately obvious. When viewed 4 - Mystery, Peace and Trust
from more conventional standpoints, these vi- While much development in the other facets
sions seem idealistic or fantastical when descri- has to do with increased knowledge and maste-
bed, and miraculous when achieved. ry, of confident acting in the world, this fourth
There is a vulnerability to this hopeful envisio- facet has more to do with not knowing and let-
ning of possibility that could threaten to crush ting go. This is the facet that is founded on the
those who set out more tentatively or timid- acceptance of contradictions and paradoxes. In
ly. Others imagine and hope with a resilience place of certainty and objectivity, there is living
which has great strength, flexibility and creati- wisdom and trust.
vity. Lesson One – We struggle with paradox and
Lesson One – We open ourselves to unpredic- contradiction, seeking not a resolution or an
table possibilities of healing and change. We “answer” but an acceptance of the tension or a
consider trusting against apparent evidence, narrative that makes sense of the lack of reso-
hoping when circumstances are discouraging. lution. We come to terms with the limits of our
We find creativity in chaos and inspiration in understanding and the inevitability of times of
compassionate solidarity with the poor and failure. We let go of certainty or even the desire
broken. for certainty and learn to embrace and act on
Lesson Two – We imagine and envision a new confidence instead. We get more comfortable

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