In regards to foot note #3, I have a pet essay that I want to write at some point, but I agree with your notion that we need to find practical biblical ways to respond to suffering. I think modern christians have a tendency to "Psychologize" our struggles and suffering, sorting them into modern theraputic categories rather than biblical ones. This results in us trying to treat issues theraputically, rather than with biblical and pastoral counsel. This is why I find reading Anne Bradstreets poetry about her grandchildren's deaths so profound. My generation (Z) would speak of processing trauma, Anne speaks of submitting to the Lord's will. Obviously current theraputic categories would be anachronistic for her, but my point is she doesn't try to plumb of the depths of her psyche and over-analyze every thought and emotion, rather she first grieves, shows reverence, and praises God's will.
I think therapy can be helpful in certain cases, but I think our modern ( western...coddled?As you put it. I appreciate the tension in searching for a proper term) mindset has largely stripped us of biblical pastoral guidance and given us therapists and counselors.
Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate your perspective here. 100% agree. I think we (modern Christians) tend to create a false division between earthly and spiritual struggles and have gradually handed over the former to earthly solutions—but since the division is false to begin with, it leads to more and more of our life being consumed by whatever earthly solutions we think exist.
In regards to foot note #3, I have a pet essay that I want to write at some point, but I agree with your notion that we need to find practical biblical ways to respond to suffering. I think modern christians have a tendency to "Psychologize" our struggles and suffering, sorting them into modern theraputic categories rather than biblical ones. This results in us trying to treat issues theraputically, rather than with biblical and pastoral counsel. This is why I find reading Anne Bradstreets poetry about her grandchildren's deaths so profound. My generation (Z) would speak of processing trauma, Anne speaks of submitting to the Lord's will. Obviously current theraputic categories would be anachronistic for her, but my point is she doesn't try to plumb of the depths of her psyche and over-analyze every thought and emotion, rather she first grieves, shows reverence, and praises God's will.
I think therapy can be helpful in certain cases, but I think our modern ( western...coddled?As you put it. I appreciate the tension in searching for a proper term) mindset has largely stripped us of biblical pastoral guidance and given us therapists and counselors.
Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate your perspective here. 100% agree. I think we (modern Christians) tend to create a false division between earthly and spiritual struggles and have gradually handed over the former to earthly solutions—but since the division is false to begin with, it leads to more and more of our life being consumed by whatever earthly solutions we think exist.