Page 124 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 8

Foundational Discussions in Christian Psychology

In many cases in Western, Christian reflection be a starting point for the design of a theologi-
on anthropology (theory formation), Platonism cal anthropology that incorporates the corpore-
determined reflection on the interplay between al dimension of our being human? Within the
the human soul and our bodily existence. In the scope of a praxis of hope care and the critical
interpretation of the relationship between body realism of spiritual wholeness, how should one
and soul, a Hellenistic dualism rather than a view the meaning and character of our being
Hebrew systems thinking prevails. Due to the human and what is the role of human embo-
one sided emphasis on human sinfulness, the diment within a holistic approach and integral
body is esteemed as being from a lower order. understanding of soulfulness as embodiment
Caregiving should thus focus predominantly on and embodiment as soulfulness?
the salvation of a substantial and immortal soul.
Man has lost his/her sense for value, dignity and At stake is the question: How can pastoral ca-
purposefulness. regiving contribute to the healing of human life
and the aesthetics of the human soul? Is it pos-
The consequence of a negative and pessimistic sible to incorporate human embodiment and
anthropology is that life has become a toilsome human sexuality as an integral part of spiritual
endeavour and burdensome struggle against wholeness?
nausea, nothingness and sinfulness (failure).
Sin always casts a devastating shadow over the The human being: totally corrupted - the un-
human quest for meaning and the attempt to fortunate twisting of life
design a constructive theology of human af- Within the history of orthodox, Christian faith,
firmation. Caregivers know how to admonish. the confessions of the church were mostly con-
How to affirm and nurture the ‘good of creati- cerned with the formulation and definition of
on’ seems always to be a kind of theological em- “true faith”. Faith is designed for rational for-
barrassment for theologians that are trained to mulae not for aesthetic experiences. Ecclesiasti-
condemn rather than to bless. cal councils, synods and clergy wanted to de-
fend ecclesial doctrine against heresy. Theology
Rather than stereometric and systems thin- was designed to please God (it should be ortho-
king, analytical thinking dominates reflection dox), not to please humans (orthopraxis). Faith
in theory formation on the interconnectedness is a serious business, not a playful enjoyment.
between body and soul. Applied to anthropolo- Questions about right and wrong, good and
gy, the human body is seen as a kind of prison evil, were more ‘spiritual’ than questions about
for the human soul. Due to this Platonic dua- sensual beauty and bodily pleasure.
lism, body and soul are viewed as two opposite,
polar categories. Applied to the field of pasto- It often happened in the history of the Christian
ral caregiving, the impression was left that soul faith that in terms of a dualistic and Hellenistic
care is merely interested in a disembodied soul interpretation of sinfulness and human embo-
and not in the enjoyment of bodily health and diment (sarx), that sinfulness had been asso-
sexual delight. ciated with sexual desires and bodily needs. Sin
has been viewed as a substantial category and
But should we start with fall in the design of a evil principle inherent to all flesh.
pastoral anthropology or rather with grace (the
eschatological perspective of salvation and he- However, if one scrutinize the different concepts
aling)? used in the Biblical text to describe human sin,
they point more to the direction of abhorrent,
The core anthropological question in this essay disobedient behaviour, immoral responses and
is: if a theological anthropology does not start dysfunctional relationships, than substantial
with sin or the fall, or with a romantic assess- categories emanating from a predestined ordi-
ment of the good in human beings due to an nation or inherent evil cosmic principle.
‘optimistic incarnation-humanism’, what should The following concepts in the Old Testament re-

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