emotional health
Richard Rhodes briefly discussed Peter Scazzero's book The Emotionally Healthy Church over on the Better Bible's Blog (8/21/08). It is a good post.
Here is the question of the day:
Is it possible to be a spiritually mature person while remaining emotionally immature?
Yes or no? Why or why not?
If you haven't read the book, no peeking at the Amazon reviews just yet.
Let me know what you think.
posted by Brian @ 7:35 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
What does it mean to be emotionally immature?
basically it means not being able to relate to other people in emotionally healthy ways (easily angered; can't handle criticism (constructive or not); a tendency towards over-defensiveness; not able to handle differing points of view well; zealous about following Christ and spiritual things yet not able to relate well to others; can't or won't deal with confrontation/conflict; holding in bitterness or unforgiveness; "serving" the church yet neglecting a failing marriage or family relationship) etc.
The list can go on and on. Certainly no one is perfect and there are differing levels of emotional health. Does this help?
Thanks. I would say no then, since most of those things you listed are things that show up and manifest themselves in relationships with other people and since so much of our spiritual maturity comes from the relationships God has placed us in (especially the church) and that is one of the primary ways he helps us grow spiritually then if they aren't growing in those ways I don't think they are growing spiritually. Plus the simple fact that those things are evidence of living according to the flesh instead of according to the Spirit.
That being said, I think it is possible for someone to have trouble in a few of those areas and still be considered spiritually mature since no one is perfect, granted the person realizes it is a problem and is trying to overcome those things by the Spirit.
Blessings,
Bryan
Scazzero agrees and his thesis is that it is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature - yet he argues this is exactly what is going on in so many churches - people appear on the surface to be spiritually mature people yet down underneath they are very immature emotionally - and they love God with all their heart.
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