Scripture remains the bedrock of the Christian faith. It serves as a book of wisdom and guidance. Christian Counselors, preachers, ministers and priests are able to utilize it to define, defend and spread the faith. As the Church grew, the bedrock of the faith remained in Scripture, but new challenges arose that denied core Christian doctrines. The Early Church Fathers utilized Scripture to defend and preach the faith. Their writings while not inspired still stem from Scripture and provide invaluable concepts and doctrines to help others.
The Church Fathers supply excellent commentary on Scripture and defense of the faith. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification
Christian Counselors should become acquainted with their teachings and writings and utilize them in their own ministry.
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Christian Counselor.
While many deny the existence of the devil and demons, those of faith realize that their existence is a real threat to humanity. Many would rather reduce the devil to a myth and as a scapegoat to blame for the evil of humanity. The reality is Lucifer, the first fallen angel, consciously chose self over God. He chose darkness over light and via the absence of good permitted evil to enter into the world through his proud disobedience to God. He then spread his hate and evil to humanity through the tempting of Adam and Eve. Humanity hence learned the capability of evil and sometimes even without Lucifer’s prompting, commits its own heinous deeds. The seed though of all evil is Lucifer.
Demonic activity is on the rise. Temptation, Obsession and Possession are the three key demonic interactions with humanity
Evil is not a equal choice to good. It is not a rival to good but in essence is a lack of good. It is the lack of goodness in an action. God did not create evil, but evil was a conscious choice by sentient beings to dismiss God. Like fallen angels, humanity also chooses evil at times but unlike fallen angels, humanity is not totally corrupted but has opportunity to repent from evil. The demons fully understood their choices, while humanity, lacking angelic intelligence, learns from mistakes and hopefully chooses good. Humanity in its current fallen form is far weaker than their angelic siblings, The angels, both good and evil, have great intelligence and as pure spirit possess far greater abilities that fallen humanity.
Demons look to corrupt the goodness of God’s creation. They seek revenge upon God by corrupting humanity. If not for God, they would devour humanity, but Christ’s death on the cross preserved humanity from the sin of Adam and dark control of Lucifer. Through Christ and His sacrifice, humanity has access to grace, the sacraments, and spiritual protection against the demonic. Through Christ, power has been given to His followers to cast out demons via His Blessed Name.
Temptation
The most basic and common form of demonic activity is in the form of temptation. Temptation is an outside source beyond our own fallen nature. It is not our passions alone desiring something illicit and illusionary as good, but an outside force pushing one towards it. Demonic temptation hence is different than our own fallen temptation and inclination to sin. Demonic temptation can be seen in Scripture, where Lucifer tempted Christ in the desert. Christ, as the ultimate paradigm, teaches the importance of rebuking Lucifer or whatever demon may be tempting oneself. One of the most famous literary works on temptation is C.S. Lewis, “Screwtape Letters” in which the demon, Wormwood, writes to hell about his temptation and workings against a simple man. In the work, Wormwood plays off daily frustrations to try to turn the man away from goodness, even if in the most minute form. Ultimately, Wormwood fails in his endeavor to corrupt the man but the Lewis helps expose the inner workings of demonic temptation in a daily basis. This is why in the “Our Father”, Christ reminds us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”.
While it may be easy to blame Satan for everything, one still must take moral responsibility for one’s actions. One should develop a strong moral conscience in accordance with God’s law and enforce moral decisions based upon the teachings of Christ. Whether it is one’s own internal passions, or demonic whispers, one is called to be accountable for oneself and choose good over evil.
Demonic Obsession
A more intense demonic presence beyond the whispers of the devil is actual metaphysical presence in the world. Demonic obsession and manifestations occur to both good and bad people and have different intents and purposes. In the case of a saint such as Padre Pio, the obsession is one of hate, fear, and punishment. St Padre Pio or even St John Vianney enraged the demons so much as to produce their manifestations. Padre Pio accounted to be being beaten by demons, while St John Vianney related to the shaking of his bed. God permitted these actions for His greater glory and victory of His saints over the demonic and these saints willingly entered into spiritual warfare with the demonic for the greater glory of God.
Obsession can manifest in sounds, hauntings, knocks, dreams, night terrors, visions and attacks
In some cases though, the intent is not one of punishment or anger, but desire to control. Those who foolishly partake in the occult or expose themselves through New Age methods of meditation or out of body experiences endanger themselves to the metaphysical world of the demonic. This is why Scripture warns individuals to avoid spiritualists, the occult and its tools. Those who brazenly and without fear play the Ouija Board, partake with spiritualists, play tarot cards, attend occult functions, or attempt to control demonic beings via witchcraft open themselves to demonic presence at a more intimate level.
Others who attempt to disturb haunted sites or play with haunted artifacts with known demonic attachments, also risk the chance of more demonic attention in their lives. Demons can attach to a variety of objects to remain in the temporal realm. This is illustrated in the case of Christ exorcising the demons, Legion, from the man into the herd of swine. Instead of returning to Hell, they pleaded with Christ to be sent into the swine herd. In this way, many demons remain attached to the temporal realm via cursed objects. An object that has a demonic attachment that finds its way into one’s home can cause hauntings and obsessions.
Others can find themselves victims of demonic obsession via curses. Those in witchcraft and the occult can place a curse over someone. This not a magical curse but a malicious prayer and offering to the demonic. As Christians prayer for God’s presence over loved ones, the occult can curse one with the presence of the demonic. The demonic is then focused upon the particular individual and a type of physical haunting or obsession can begin. In essence, demonic obsession is the haunting of a particular person instead of a place or thing. The purpose is to inflict pain, fear, punishment, or dominion via possession.
Signs of obsession, or oppression, include lucid dreams of the demonic, mental images of the demonic and in some cases apparitions of the demonic. Initially various hauntings will occur with sounds, knocks, laughs, or even physical markings on the body. In addition, mental illness, depression and physical symptoms may develop from the stress of the obsession. Also, many experience unfortunate events surrounding their lives. Some of these things obviously are coincidence but when they are all added together, and after all medical and scientific explanations are left unanswered, it is best then to take proactive action.
Obviously, those closer to God are safer from curses. Naturally, the spiritual hygiene of a religious person is greater than a non-religious person. A religious person is closer to Christ, attends Mass or Service, prayers regularly, reads Scripture, receives the sacraments, wears sacramentals, blesses their home, and adorns the home with images of Christ. These are powerful things to consider in any demonic attack. Hence when one finds oneself against these odds, it is critical to turn to Christ, His Mother, and the rituals of the Church and its many sacramentals to protect oneself. Blessing the home, wearing the cross or scapular, placing the St Benedict Medal throughout the home, and performing a minor exorcism of the home are important acts against demonic obsession.
Through one’s Baptism and the authority of Christ, one can in Christ’s name, command demons to leave one’s property. The ritual of minor home exorcism is a loss art among Christians. Seen as superstitious medieval, the scientific mind prefers to explain the demonic away. Yet, Christians are constantly in Spiritual warfare and must engage the enemy. By blessing the home with Holy Water and pronouncing the name of Christ in each room for all evil to depart is a powerful weapon of Christians against Satan. Symbolically, the doors and windows should be left open for all negative and demonic energy to leave the home. Assisted with the words of Christ, blessed water and a lighted candle, Christians can defend their own home. In greater cases, a minister or priest may be needed but for most cases, the Christian can defend his or her own home through the authority of Christ.
Demonic Possession
Throughout Scripture, possession is a common occurrence. Christ exorcizes multiple demons from individuals through the New Testament. He also gives the apostles and disciples the same power in His name to case out demons. In particular, Christ emphasized the importance of fasting and purity. When the apostles were unable to cast out a certain demon, He reminded them of the need of fasting.
Christ gave the apostles and their successors power to cast out demons. The Rite of Exorcism is an ancient Christian Rite to cast out demons
While many so-called possessions were in fact mental disorders in the past, the Church still recognizes the reality of demonic possession. After intense clinical investigation, the Church will determine if the person is possessed or mentally ill. Cases such as Schizophrenia are quickly dismissed in the modern era, unlike the past, and with proper medical and clinical evaluation, anyone with mental illness can easily be distinguished from a true possession case.
Possession in itself is domination. The demon looks to exert its will over the human person. Some particular demons hope to utilize the vessel to experience sin, others look to torment the soul. Possession can be imperfect or perfect. In imperfect state, the soul is still fighting the dominion of the evil spirit, while in perfect possession, the soul has accepted its Satanic counterpart. In the occult and other Satanic circles, many seek this type of sick union, in corruption of the union Christians seek with God. Unlike union with God, which is holy and pleasing and respectful of autonomy, possession is vile and evil and domination of one over the other.
The soul that is possessed usually became possessed through foolishness or weakness. Certain acts, or opening oneself without knowledge of consequences can lead to the ultimate possession of a person. In Malachi Martin’s “Hostage to the Devil”, the now deceased author accounts 5 cases of demonic possession. In most of the cases, the individuals were naive to the dangers or performing deeds in the occult. Only after the trap was set did these individuals realize the danger they were in and sought help.
In demonic possession, the person’s moods can change drastically. They are commonly severely depressed and suicidal. They perform gross and disgusting deeds and can become dangerous if provoked. Some exhibit extra human strength and while under possession know other languages. Within the room, like any case of obsession, the demonic possessed can levitate, contort one’s body, cast objects, or lower the temperature of the room. While the movie, “The Exorcist” embellishes exorcism, one need not need special horror effects or embellishment to terrify oneself through the witnessing of a true exorcism within its own right. In fact, what makes the movies “The Exorcist”, or “The Conjuring” so terrifying is that they are based on a foundation of reality. If anything, these movies open a greater awareness and belief in the devil’s existence which is good.
The Rite of Exorcism finds it power from the authority Christ gave to His apostles to cast out demons. It has developed over the centuries to include a multitude of prayers invoking Christ, the Blessed Virgin and St Michael. The ritual is a pastoral ministry carried out by the local diocese and assigned to a particular priest. The process involves the concerned party calling the diocese and reporting demonic activity. After all scientific and medical explanations have been investigated, the assigned exorcist priest will interview the possessed and assign a particular day for the ritual. The priest will be accompanied by a few aides to ensure safety of the possessed and those performing and witnessing the rite.
The ritual is a battle of wills between the priest and the demon. The demon will mock, expose sins, intimidate and blaspheme throughout the process but the priest must maintain focus. The priest must realize it is through Christ and not his own words that this demon will be cast away. One of the key stages is forcing the demon to expose himself and present its identity. The priest will then continue to command the demon to the leave the person. This can take hours or even days. Circumstances surround the piety of the priest, the proper execution of the rite, the will of the possessed person to be free, and the power of the individual demon. Obviously, an exorcist priest is a special calling. Many are called to a special devotion to Christ to fulfill this calling. Many also do not live long lives due to the trauma they witness.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, some dioceses infected with secularism have dismissed the office and it can be sometimes hard to find a priest equipped with this particular training. Furthermore, the exorcism cannot be performed without the consent of the local bishop of the area it is being conducted. So the pastoral ministry against the demonic weighs heavily upon the bishop. Dioceses with an exorcist priest and department that deals with this type of pastoral ministry is greatly needed at a higher volume than it is currently. Demonic activity is growing as the faith continues to recede among the secular population. Many individuals come across the demonic without knowing and need assistance from trained and spiritual people.
Only after a cleared medical diagnosis can a trained professional perform an exorcism. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification
Christian Counselors should never conduct an exorcism. Simple exorcism of a home or blessings are fine but if confronted with the possessed or suspecting of the possessed, it is important to refer this person not only to a mental health professional for evaluation but also to the proper spiritual authorities. Many who attempt exorcisms can be harmed both physically and spiritually.
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Christian Counseling.
Additional Resources
“An Exorcist Tells His Story”. Fr. Amorth, G. (1999). Ignatius Press.
“Hostage to the Devil”. Martin, M. (1992). Harper One.
“Is there demonic activity in the world today?”. Compelling Truth. Access here
“Demons and How They Influence Mankind”. Cook. S. (2020). Thinking on Scripture. Access here
“Exorcism – how does it work and why is it on the rise?”. Lam, V. (2018). The Conversation. Access here
Temperaments define one’s overall personality in life. It is not fluid and more permanent overall. It is something that one is or is not at birth. While temperaments can be cultivated via good parenting to bring out the best and limit the worst in each one, the primary temperament of someone will be dominant. Other minor temperaments can co-exist and create a unique blend.
No temperament is superior to the other but each has its own strengths and weaknesses. With this said, some will be more attracted to different virtues or vices more easily. This is not an excuse to live with a vice but it does explain why some more naturally are distracted by certain vices in life. With proper guidance, one can utilize whatever temperament for the greater glory of God.
The video below reviews the four temperaments and how they play into one’s morality. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Christian Counselor.
Many mental maladies deal with personality. Anti-Social Personalities deal with individuals whose consciences and sense of right or wrong are completely muddied and confused. Other personality disorders deal with emotional states and an inability to control anxiety or sadness. Perhaps the most crippling form of mental illness is Schizophrenia. In the case of Schizophrenia, individuals experience psychosis and an inability to decipher true reality and their own delusions. This type of disorder is classified as psychotic due to its irrational and distorted perceptions from reality (Myers and Dewall. 2019, p. 522).
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that creates delusions within the brain confusing one from reality and fantasy
Schizophrenia can be chronic and long term or acute. Acute is far easier to recover from while chronic is a life long struggle. Most chronic cases are usually genetic and tied to abnormal brain structure and development within the frontal lobes which aid individuals with reason, planning and problem solving skills (Myers and Dewall, 2019, p. 524). Brain waves and activity also are irregular within Schizophrenic individuals. When attempting to filter incoming sensory information, the Thalamus becomes ultra active, as well the Amygdala during emotional distress. In addition, experts have noticed thinning in the Cerebral Cortex as a sign of Schizophrenia (Myers and Dewall, 2019, p. 525). Hence irregular brain waves, less developed portions of the brain and fewer neural connections can all correspond with Schizophrenia. In addition, studies show Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is overactive in Schizophrenic individuals (Myers and Dewall, 2019, p. 524). This neurotransmitter can intensify brain signals that can lead to hallucinations and paranoia.
Those stricken with Schizophrenia display symptoms that are either positive or negative. In positive instances, inappropriate behaviors are present, while in negative instances, appropriate behaviors are lacking. Examples of inappropriate behaviors include disorganized speech, abrupt laughter, sadness or rage, while negative symptoms include absence of emotion and lack of expression (Myers and Dewall, 2019, p. 523).
One of the primary symptoms is delusion or the “false belief of persecution or grandeur” (Myers and Dewall, 2019, p. 523). Many individuals with Schizophrenia are paranoid and fearful. They believe they are being followed or threatened. Some may also hear voices or weird commands. There is also an overall disorganized thinking where selective attention that usually is filtered out by the brain is amplified. Tiny unrelated stimuli can distract one with Schizophrenia such as a tiny crack in the ground or something far down the road (Myers and Dewall, 2019, p. 523). Stemming from this can emerge disorganized speech. Disorganized speech can include multiple ideas smashed together into an odd word salad that makes no sense. The Schizophrenic will jump from idea to idea with no logical connection or coherence.
The distress of Schizophrenia also impairs emotional expressions. Some with Schizophrenia will exhibit motionless behavior, while others may exhibit continual movement or rubbing or rocking of the body. In addition, some may display no emotion, while others may laugh or become angry. Due to impaired theory of mind, they also have extreme difficulty reading facial expressions (Myers and Dewall, 2019, p. 523). With these immense issues, those with Schizophrenia are very unpredictable and from an untrained person, may become very scary. In fact, in the medieval ages, many were thought to be possessed.
Schizophrenics require anti-psychotics and cognitive therapies to help them better cope with their false sense of reality
Fortunately, only 1 in 100 are afflicted with Schizophrenia which totals roughly 21 millions people (Myers and Dewall, 2019, p. 524). Many are medicated, counseled or closely monitored. Most are not a threat to others but there can be cases when they can become a threat to society when violent voices tell them to do harmful things or when their own delusions lead them into unsafe situations.
Another type of psychotic disorder is Dissociative Identity Disorder. Formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. This disorder is also psychotic in nature and stems from the creation of a new identity. Most cases stem from a traumatic event that pushes the individual to forget the trauma by creating a new identity. There is still much research to be done in this field but it is separate and different than Schizophrenia.
Those who suffer from Schizophrenia cannot exist without medical and professional help. They are a threat primarily to their own safety without proper treatment and medication. For most, it is a life long cross of trying to distinguish reality from delusion. Obviously, only licensed therapists can treat and care for Schizophrenics and it falls far out of the levels of competence of mere pastoral counselors. If a pastoral counselor and one suspects Schizophrenia, it is important to help the person find the professional counseling and assistance the person’s needs.
As Pastoral Counselors, one can see the suffering such delusions can bring to a person. As Christian Counselors, one can see the steep price of sin and how disease both physical and mental are a result of that sin. These individuals while odd and offbeat nevertheless are children of God and deserve compassion and respect in treatment and care. They deserve patience and love. If a loved one is suffering from this, it can be very painful to witness. One needs to not argue with the delusions but patiently walk one through it. Staying connected with the person and not becoming agitated is key to keeping the person calm. If on the other side, one is experiencing these symptoms it is crucial to find the help that is needed and to avoid drugs and drinking that will only make the delusions worse.
While there is no cure, some treatments can alleviate the issue. Most treatment involves anti-psychotic medications and also Behavioral Cognitive Therapies. Some therapies also include Electroconvulsive Therapy which includes while sedated, electric impulse shocks to improve brain activity.
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.
If you would like to learn more about counseling and helping others from a pastoral and Christian perspective, then please review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification. The program is designed for qualified professionals to help others from a Christian perspective. The program is also online and independent study and can be completed at one’s own timing and speed.
References
“Exploring Psychology” 11th Edition. Myers, D & Dewall, N. (2019). Worth Publishers: Macmillan Learning, New York.
Additional Resources
“Schizophrenia” Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020). Mayo Clinic. Access here
“Schizophrenia”. Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Cleveland Clinic. Access here
“Schizophrenia: An Overview”. WebMed Editors. (2022). WebMed. Access here
“What is Schizophrenia?”. APA. (2020). Access here
Humanity in the fallen world has numerous needs to maintain existence. Among the most basic needs are food and water. Instinctively within human nature is a drive for to satisfy hunger and thirst, as well as drives to reproduce. These are natural evolutionary forces that push the human person to exist and perpetuate the species. In Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Maslow lists basic needs of existence as the base of all needs. Following these needs are needs of safety and shelter. Beyond that is a more complex social need of belonging and love. Following this basic social need, is a mental need to perform and succeed in certain areas and talents that help manifest self esteem. Still even beyond those accomplishments, there needs to be a self actualization of self that recognizes one has met one’s fullest potential. Finally, after all these physical, social and mental accomplishments, one needs to find an existential or spiritual idea of meaning and tie that meaning into one’s life (Myers & Dewall, 2019, p. 351). Hence humanity has many needs to find completeness . Obviously in this search and motivation, the only fulfilling source of happiness is God. God is the ultimate source of happiness that can never be taken or stolen but promises infinite and eternal happiness that meets every human need.
Human needs start at the most basic and proceed to higher abstract needs. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Program
Humanity still nonetheless experiences needs in the fallen world that fall short of the perfect End which is God. Throughout life, there are a multitude of illusionary goods that can distract the person from the true good. In psychological studies, the person is driven by motivation. Motivation is defined as “need or desire that energizes and directs behavior” (Myers & Dewall. 2019, p. 349). In addition to genetic and evolutionary drives, one is also driven to certain goods via an arousal of the psychological state that looks to decrease that desire through obtaining or fulfilling it. This is referred to as Drive-Reduction Theory (Myers and Dewall. 2019, p. 349).
In addition to drive, human nature is also guided by arousal. Some motivated behaviors increase arousal instead of decrease it (Myers and Dewall. 2019, p. 349). The Yerkes-Dodson Law points out that optimal performance exists when moderate arousal is present (Myers and Dewall. 2019, p. 350). Hence certain levels of arousal can be detrimental to overall human performance when not properly moderated.
Morality and Human Needs
These Psychological concepts help explain many of the inner workings of why a person is motivated to certain a good or need, but Moral Theology completes the story through spiritual explanation of the inner moving of the intellect and will. In Thomistic Philosophy, the soul is comprised of the intellect and will. The intellect processes information from the senses and is guided by the conscience in judgement. The will is the motivational force behind human decisions. Like in Psychology, the will seeks needs and ascertains the good of each need. Due to humanity’s fallen nature, sometimes this decision can be in contradiction to true moral good and the conscience.
St Thomas Aquinas refers to two types of human appetites within the will. The two he lists are the Concupiscible Appetite and the Irascible Appetite ( Aquinas. Summae Theologica). The Concupiscible Appetite’s formal object is a sensible good or evil, which is easily obtained while the Irascible Appetite’s formal object is a more abstract good which is arduous or difficult to obtain ( Aquinas. Summa Theologica). In regards to the Concupiscible Appetite, it is attracted to passions and emotions such as love or hate, desire or aversion, or joy and sorrow in regards to the sensible object (Aquinas. Summae Theologica). In regards to the Irascible Appetite, it deals with things that are difficult to attain and attached to emotions such as hope or despair, fear or daring, or anger (Aquinas. Summae Theologica). In essence, the Concupiscible Appetite deals with direct objects or sensible objects, while the Irascible Appetite deals with more abstract objects. In addition, the will interprets direct objects of the Concupiscible Appetite as they appear good or evil, while the Irascible Appetite is directed towards goods as they present themselves as something good or evil that might be difficult to achieve (Aquinas. Summae Theologica).
Certain emotions are within the range of the Concupiscible Appetite while others fall into the Irascible Appetite
Hence emotion plays a large role in one’s appetites and how one is pushed towards or pulled away from an object. According to Myers and Dewall, emotion itself is the response of the whole organism from physiological arousal, expressive behaviors and conscious experience (2019, p. 369). Within the list of emotions, many scientists differ what are the core base emotions, but most concede that anger, fear, disgust, sadness and happiness are the basic human emotions (Myers and Dewall. 2019, p.369). Others also include interest, shame, guilt, as well as pride and love (Myers and Dewall. 2019, p. 369).
Ultimately, in Moral Theology, humanity’s broken nature due to Original Sin, prevents one from controlling one’s passions and emotions. The control our first father, Adam, experienced in the Garden has been corrupted and his descendants experience an ability to control emotion. This can be seen in the Amygdala. When emotional situations are perceived they can travel two ways. In the case of fear, the stimuli can travel the high road through Thalamus and Cortex which later proceeds through the Amygdala with a thought out emotional response, or it can take the faster low road with involves less thought since it is first processed through Amygdala (Myers and Dewall. 2019, p. 370). This leads to emotional outbursts and reactions.
One can see loss of control in many individuals. Whether utter fear, anger, or lust, one can lose control. The Holy Spirit gives humanity four cardinal virtues to help regulate the moral life. Among one of the most important related to emotional control is Temperance. Temperance helps curb emotional desires in moderation. Christians need to pray to the Holy Spirit and help cultivate this virtue in their daily moral life to better curb the Concupiscible Appetite’s desires and direct all deeds to the greater honor and glory of God. Furthermore, when Temperance is tied with the moral virtue of Prudence one can better discern good and evil within the Irascible Appetite’s abstract desires.
Conclusion
To lead a better moral life, one must understand that humanity is broken via Original Sin. While Psychology can give some explanations how these broken processes still operate, it is imperative that Christians take responsibility for their actions. While culpability can be lessened due to emotional outburst, it does not remove consequences or total culpability. One must constantly look to control their emotional actions and desires with direct and indirect objects. This involves prayer, fasting and denial. It involves following the example of Christ who taught temperance and moderation, as well as prayer to the Holy Spirit to supply the necessary graces to overcome one’s fallen nature on Earth.
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Christian Counseling.
References
“Exploring Psychology”. Myers and Dewall. (2019). Worth Publishers: Macmillan Learning, New York. 11th Ed.
“The Summa Theologiæ of St. Thomas Aquinas”. Second and Revised Edition, 1920. Online: New Advent. Access here
Additional Resources
“Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”. Cherry, K. (2022). VeryWellMind. Access here
“Emotions”. Psychology Today Staff. Psychology Today. Access here
“The 6 Types of Basic Emotions and Their Effect on Human Behavior”. Cherry, K. (2022). VeryWellMind. Access here
Christian Meditation looks to bring us closer to God. Usually this entails reflecting on the past in Scripture and pursuing dialogue in the present with God. Echo Meditation is about reflection and communication with God but it sees time from a different perspective. Since God is eternal, it incorporates prayer for not only those now but also for those in the past and future. It also allows for a particular echo in time with the Christ while He was on Earth. Since Christ is divine, He can hear our prayers as He is now, will be and was while on Earth. This gives the Christian through Echo Meditation the ability to conversate with Christ, console Christ and walk with Christ during His difficult life. It is a devotion of service and discipleship to Christ.
One can speak with Christ when He was alone and enter into His thoughts. One can stay with Him in the Garden. One can console Him when He is mocked. It is a beautiful way to be there for His human nature and life since His divine nature is a beacon that transcends time. In many ways, it is time travel with God
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Christian Counseling.
Moral Theology has a meeting point in understanding immoral human behavior with Psychology. Since Psychology studies human actions and attempts to understand it, Psychology can hence play a role in understanding subjective and circumstantial aspects of a human moral action. Any action in Moral Theology is deemed just or unjust according to criteria. The action itself is considered objectively good or immoral. Theft is an objectively disordered and immoral action. It stands against the Natural Law as something humans can know as inherently wrong due to the ideal of personal property and space. The Divine Positive Law reinforces the evil objective disorder of theft through the 7th Commandment of “Thou Shall not Steal”.
In addition to the action, the subjective nature of the agent who commits the act receives analysis in Moral Theology. The agent’s culpability can be lessened or increased based on his or her knowledge of the action itself. Hence a person who may commit an immoral act out of ignorance, while still committing an immoral act, is less culpable before the eyes of God. Finally, the circumstances can reduce culpability as well. If a person steals food due to starvation, then the action and culpability is decreased as opposed to a person who steals from a struggling family or commits a bank robbery. Hence, while subjective and circumstantial elements can never objectively change the nature of an action, it can increase or decrease culpability afforded to the agent.
Psychology offers Theology great insights into the subjective element of the human agent during a moral act
Psychology offers particular insight into the subjective element. In Moral Theology, the agent is the human person. Focus is placed on the human being, as the soul and body. The soul is comprised of the intellect and the will. Due to Original Sin, the mind and passions are not in harmony and this creates discord within the ability to choose morally and control one’s impulses. Moral Theology looks at how vice and virtue clash within the human soul and how habitual vice can rot the soul. Psychology looks at the manifestations of the soul through the brain and how the human agent responds to situations. Psychology reviews how neurons and neuron transmitters can affect moods and where primal reactions exist within the brain. It analyzes how the body produces various hormones which can also negatively affect moral decisions.
Stanly Milgram’s Experiments
Social Psychology extends beyond the subjective agent but also to circumstances as well. Social Psychology looks how learned human behavior and social pressures can play a role in human decision making. One of the most interesting experiments and studies surrounding this involved Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiments. At times controversial, these experiments would look at the role of authority upon individual immoral decisions.
The experiments were simple in design. An individual in a separate room, known as the “teacher” would hold access to a button that would send an electric shock to a person in a different room who was known as the “student”. Whenever the “student” missed a question, the “teacher” would be instructed to send a shock wave to the “student”. As missed questions accumulated, the voltage would increase till the point one could hear cries coming from the “student” in another room. Authority figures in charge of the study would instruct the “teacher” to nevertheless continue to impose shocks despite the cries.
Behind the reality of it, there never was a “student” but only a staff member mimicking pain. The experiment wished to see how far individuals would proceed with an immoral instruction from an authority figure despite one’s own moral convictions. Surprisingly, the experiment showed, 60 percent of the individuals continued supplying electric shock to the “student”. Obviously, this brings one to sharp conclusions regarding the morality and role of Nazi soldiers and guards during the Holocaust. What moral culpability did they hold? How powerful is the source of authority in making an immoral decision to potentially kill?
The experiment showed that depersonalizing the other human being played a large role easing the conscience of the “teacher”. Out of sight and out of mind played a big role in reducing the anxiety for some in pressing the button. This shows it is far easier for human evil to exist when the agent is further away from the sight itself. Also, the experiment showed, that when the authority figure was present, it made it easier for the “teacher” to proceed with his or her duty in delegating shock to the other person.
Moral Culpability and Cognitive Dissonance
Another principle at play in in this study was “Foot-In-The-Door Phenomenon” which teaches that agents if coaxed into agreeing to neutral or smaller tasks will later comply with larger requests. In the Milgram experiments, the “teacher” was asked to at first simply supply a mild shock. As the experiment progressed, the orders become more severe. In hindsight, Nazi soldiers may had been told at first to collect Jews and bring them to the camps. Later, they would be asked to inhumanely treat them, leading to finally the order to execute them.
So how far does culpability exist? In Moral Theology, hurting another person willfully is a objective immoral act, but does circumstance and subjective qualities lessen culpability for the agent physically committing the offense? As in criminal law, there are always more culpable agents. God’s moral law which is infinitely just and omniscient definitely understand this. Hence, for some agents, culpability is lessened more than others depending on their knowledge. Obviously, those who proclaim moral law over tyranny and die for it are the best humanity has to offer. Christian martyrs who rejected the law and orders of Caesar for the love of Christ are examples that a strong conscience can overcome any psychological manipulation but many individuals fall between the cracks.
Cognitive Dissonance helps individuals justify actions that defy their moral belief system
Moral culpability like waves pulsate from the epi-center of the immoral act. The doctor who performs an abortion is explicit in his or her role in murder. This direct action holds the doctor to the highest culpability. The individual who supplies anesthesia to the pregnant woman for the abortion, plays a less direct role but still a fundamental part in the intent to kill the child in the womb. The receptionist at the abortion clinic, the janitor who cleans the clinic and the guard who holds back the protestors at the clinic all play roles to some extent. Some may even not necessarily believe abortion is moral but concede to the opportunity of employment or the excuse it is not one’s business. Likewise, Nazi guards who shot Jews, were merely the instruments. The orders from superiors all played equally if not greater moral culpability, but does the solider who guarded the concentration camp also hold some culpability?
The human conscience is supposed to irk the soul when it commits a sin. A good conscience will not allow one to sleep. In Moral Theology, a sound and good conscience is in correlation with the God’s law and will. Those with erroneous consciences or other types of improperly formed consciences will fall victim more easily to immoral authority commands. Yet, due to fear, or psychological manipulation, individuals with consciences will still try to make sense of their apparent paradoxical behavior. In Psychology, when a person attempts to balance his or her own belief with inappropriate actions, the person engages in Cognitive Dissonance. The agent may try to justify one’s actions to try to ease the conscience. In the case of the Holocaust, some soldiers may had justified the action as the reality of war, or believed in the dehumanization of the Jewish people as traitors to the Germany. With the abortion clinic example, the receptionist may conclude that it is not my business and not my body, or may attempt to dehumanize the child within the womb to a mere clump of unconscious cells. The guard outside the clinic or janitor may conclude that this job puts food on the table and his family needs the money.
It is truly a scary reality. Evil times can very easily bring out the worst of the worst but also sheepishly lobotomize the conscience of anyone with moral beliefs but no backbone or spine to defend what needs defended.
Peer Pressure
Human beings look to belong. They seek to find conformity within their species. Non conformity in the prehistoric times, meant isolation and death. It is a naturally wired thing for human beings to try to belong to groups. What happens when larger groups challenge the moral belief of an individual? In Moral Theology, it is the duty of the Christian to proclaim the Gospel despite social persecution. Christ, Himself, lamented that if the world rejects you, know it has rejected Me first. With such a warning, it should be obvious for Christians to realize that Christian beliefs and moral teachings will be at odds with the lies of the world.
The need for social conformity can lead to behaviors contrary to one’s self. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification
However, there is still again the peer pressure of the world and one’s desire to conform to groups that are internally at war with the Christian conscience. Psychology again has some explanations regarding moral behavior. Solomon Asch provided some insight through his experiments on groups of three or more regarding the need to conform to a social group. In his study, individuals would be asked certain questions and a high percentage would answer correctly, but when put into a larger group, he noticed that when a controlled infiltrator purposely answered wrong, and this continued, it would play a role in others being wary to answer correctly. This experiment showed the power of a group presence to alter. It also shows the power of today’s politically charged world how powerful and dangerous gas lighting can be in public campaigns. The experiment also emphasized that when individuals feel different, or incompetent, or insecure, they are more likely to side with the majority.
Another example of conformity to immoral ideals based on social majority exists in both Psychology and Moral Theology. In Moral Theology, the occasion of sin refers to when one openly encounters sinful material that can negatively influence a person. These occasions can be persons, places or things. As with most situations, corruption usually weakens the whole. This is also a concept in Psychology under the term “Social Contagion”. In Psychology, it can also be a good force, but what it does point to is that individuals like to take upon the emotional tones of the surrounding company. If a group is more subject to foul language, does it cause discomfort, or does it push one to maybe swear more? If a group is drinking and smoking, is one more inclined to maybe just have one beer to fit in?
One interesting theory is “Group Polarization”. If like minded Christians come together in a moral discussion, the increase and enhancement of the moral topic will become more powerful. If condemning abortion, it will become more strong as the conversation occurs. Conversely, if like minded individuals with various prejudices come together, they may leave the conversation with far more prejudice than started. Again, for good or bad, this points to the power of peer and social groups in enhancing the need to conform.
Aggression and Harm
While Moral Theology teaches an objective action, such as “Thou Shall not Murder” and other ideals of not harming others as imperative and uncompromising, it still understand the subjective elements. Ideas such as self defense, or just war theory can come to mind. However, Psychology has given great insight to why certain individuals act aggressively from a neurological, genetic, biochemical and behavioral perspectives.
It has been scientifically proven that the Amygdala is a center for human emotion. It has also been noted during Fight or Flight, the Hypothalamus ignites the Pituitary Gland to infuse the body with hormones to prepare the body for stress and conflict. Furthermore, in more aggressive persons, it has been shown that under-developed frontal lobes, or even damage to them play a key role in aggressive behavior. From this, one can clearly notate a body-mind connection in behavior.
While aggression is objectively wrong, Psychology gives clues as to the subjective nature of the agent and why he/she becomes angry and aggressive
Unfortunately, due to Original Sin, the soul lost the ability to control the passions. Psychology illustrates how this lost of the passions operates in the mind and brain. It shows how neurotransmitters can alter behaviors due to less serotonin or dopamine, it illustrates how hormones can make one more aggressive at a given time, and it also demonstrates how even within the genetic code, some may be more aligned with anger.
Does this give one a free pass to commit immoral actions? The moral action will always remain immoral, but culpability is another story. For most, frustration, or low blood sugar can make one feel more irritable and can explain the urge to yell or be impatient or wish to push someone, but it does not justify. Albeit, one cannot control these elements of the body, as Pre-Fall Adam, one is still called to control one’s passions. It may offer an explanation, but it is not a free pass to be a nasty person. In this, one can marvel at the kindness and love Christ showed and in the lives of the saints. Virtue and good behavior can help balance one’s fallen passions to anger.
One must remember, humanity’s fallen nature and the inner inclinations are not sins but are natural impulses, but through the grace of the Holy Spirit, one is given the ability to better control these broken emotional systems.
The Need to Do Good
Humanity is created in the image and likeness of God. While the Fall of Adam damaged human nature, it did not destroy it. Humanity lost access to its great intellect and the super abilities of the brain, it lost control of emotions, and become subject to disease and death, but the inherent nature of humanity itself was still preserved. Humans still exist with a body and a soul that is made in the image and likeness of God. The will is hence enticed for good. Even when the corrupted will does wrong, it still perceives some sort of good, albeit selfish motives. Still, the will works with the intellect of the soul for the ultimate good of itself. Human beings are conceived and born good.
Psychology also notates the impulse to do good. With conformity and social bonds, the need to cooperate for the mere purpose of existence is programmed in humanity’s evolutionary genes. While good actions are produced through the grace of the Holy Spirit, the human species is also naturally looking to foster relationships and help others in distress. A few concepts illustrate the better side of humanity. In “Social Exchange Theory” , social behavior is seen as a trading of services where the goal is to maximize benefit and minimize discomfort to others. There is a “Reciprocity of Norm” concept that others will help those who help instead of hurt and that there is an innate “Social Responsibility Norm” that others will help those in need.
Since humanity is made in God’s image, there is an inclination to be good.
James Stuart Mills noted that human beings help others and perform good moral actions because it maximizes the overall benefit of humanity. It ultimately benefits the whole. This concept is known as Utilitarianism. In addition, one can see these concepts of helping others found in the most basic concept of the “Golden Rule”.
Teaching children to be good and kind is key at a young age. It is important to curb selfish egos and harmful behaviors. From a Psychological standpoint, this is a good idea for continuation of the species and maximization for human potential. When anti-social disorders erupt, under the guise of Narcissism and other more serious elements of Sociopathy emerge, then the concept of the Social Contract itself can collapse.
From a Naturalistic standpoint, it is hence self fulfilling to promote kindness and goodness. Even the atheist can contest the need for social harmony through human made laws but Christianity and Moral Theology demands more.
One does not merely perform morally neutral acts to promote unity and productivity but these act carry objective and inherent good, not just for its consequences but also because it is right and just and good before the Lord. The love of God is communicated through good and moral actions. The communal wholeness is not the aim but the consequence of worshipping and loving God and neighbor. There reward and beauty of kindness and good action is in itself a deep love for God Himself. In this way, Psychology is limited in understanding the greater depth that good action has beyond the empirical visible elements of social stability.
Conclusion
While Psychology helps one understand the physiology of how the soul, brain and body work together and how the fallen human nature operates, it is Theology, the first study, that fully explains the nature of good and evil and the objective nature of a human act. Psychology is a necessary aid in helping understand the subjective agent in human action, but it does not have the authority to objectively define good and evil in its most primitive forms.
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification
Christian Counselors need to possess a strong understanding when giving spiritual direction to others regarding morality in these aspects. Christian Counselors can benefit greatly through the study of Psychology in understanding the subjective inner workings that play key roles in the human action. Since, spiritual advisors, pastoral directors and clergy help souls through moral decisions, it is important that they not only understand the spiritual aspect but also the mental and physical elements taking place that hold great weight in the subjective agent and ultimate culpability.
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Christian Counseling.
Borderline Personality Disorder is a type of disorder that makes it difficult for individuals to have a stable mood. They can shift from happy to sad or angry very quickly. It usually manifests in the 20s. The dramatic mood shifts differ from bi-polar in that they can alter within minutes, hours or days unlike bi polar which has phases of depression and mania. This type of disorder can be very difficult for relationships due to the unpredictable nature of the person. It is hence critical to diagnose, understand and treat with proper mood stabilizing medications.
Christian Counselors can help individuals find peace and understanding of any disorder through the healing power of Christ. They can also guide individuals to mental health professionals who are licensed and trained to deal with such type of disorders. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Christian Counselor.
Moral theology judges three aspects of a human act; the action, the agent and the circumstances. In regards to the agent or person who commits the objective act, there is a surplus of subjective elements that determine an individual’s culpability and inclinations towards an action. Temperament plays a key role in a person’s overall disposition towards passions, inclinations and reactions. Temperaments are more permanent and natural dispositions of the soul. Temperaments are the blue prints for how individuals act naturally. One is more naturally this or that not due so much to nurture but to nature itself. Hence individuals exhibit more natural and easy tendencies due to one’s temperament. While one can learn to mask certain poor qualities that coincide with a temperament, it nonetheless remains the natural and internal driving force behind the person.
A person’s temperament is one’s initial and natural disposition. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification
In addition, a person’s character is based upon temperament and learned social rules and regulations that define how that person responds to issues. One’s character hence reflects a moral code that is binds one to interactions. A person may be very honest and this element of character manifests. In addition to character, psychology also recognizes personality. Personality plays a key role in how one interacts with others. Personality is more fluid over time than character and temperament, but character traits and temperament all play key components of one’s personality. The key to remember though is temperament is not a learned trait but a far more natural trait. It lends certain qualities to that make certain characters easier or harder to foster and also plays a key role in one’s social interaction with others.
Rev Conrad Hock presents an excellent essay on the four temperaments and their implications in morality and Christian ministry. The temperaments clearly can play a key role in applying stimulation or inclination towards certain vices but as well as virtues. So while there are natural inclinations with both positive and negative connotations, nurture plays a key role in guiding one’s natural temperament or temperament combinations to a more virtuous life. In Hock’s, “Four Temperaments” he points out the great importance of understanding oneself. He states,
“Socrates, one of the most renowned of the Greek sages, used and taught as an axiom to his hearers:
‘Know yourself.’ One of the most reliable means of learning to know oneself is the study of the temperaments. For if
a man is fully cognizant of his temperament, he can learn easily to direct and control himself. If he
is able to discern the temperament of others, he can better understand and help them”.
Christian Counselors, spiritual directors and clergy can utilize an understanding of the temperaments to better aid individuals in their spiritual development as well as learn how to better interact with others in the social life. One way to discern one’s own temperament as well as others is how one responds to things in life or stimuli. Hock refers to individuals who respond quickly to stimuli, respond but lose interest, do not respond but ponder, and those who show little interest as four qualities of Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic and Phlegmatic (1998, p.3). If one is able to better diagnose these responses, then one can better determine the prominent temperament of an individual.
The Four Temperaments
The first temperament is choleric. Based off from ancient Greece correlation of yellow bile within the human body, individuals who are choleric are very assertive individuals. They are very receptive to stimuli and the reception is not fleeting but long lasting. They are very goal orientated individuals with little time for emotion. They can become very impatient, angry and irritable when results are not met. This personality is also more self serving and egotistical in its essence.
Personality is made of temperament and character of individuals. Choleric temperament is more extrovert and goal orientated.
Children who exhibit these qualities need to be shown more restraint and nurtured to see the needs of others and to be more reflective and caring. Obviously the vice of pride can easily manifest within this temperament if not balanced with humility. Individuals who have this a dominating trait may be very successful in life but also may be open to narcissism and other anti-social personality disorders void of conscience. Hock points out that a choleric may very well be egotistical, stubborn, very confident, and dominant ( 1998, p. 7). Obviously when dealing with a choleric temperament, confrontation and criticism is not the best approach. The good news is not everyone usually has a one temperament and other temperaments can balance out qualities, as well as virtues that can be utilized. Saints that possessed a very strong choleric nature not only balanced their ego with humility but also utilized their goal orientated mind to helping others and building up the Church with spiritual goals.
The second temperament is sanguine. Sanguine temperaments are also quick to respond as the choleric temperament but unlike the choleric, the sanguine response is fleeting. The sanguine temperament coincides with the bodily fluid of blood and finds excitement in pleasure and social settings. This extrovert temperament however has a hard time remaining responsible and will move from thing to thing, especially things that involve extra effort. This temperament is very social and easily builds relationships and optimistic but also very superficial and unstable (Hock, 1998, p.11).
Obviously, the worldly, temporal and pleasure seeking nature of this temperament needs grounded. It needs grounded with a strong spirituality and also some form of responsibility. It can easily be thrown into a hedonistic, irresponsible life style. Hence, sanguine temperaments need denial at an early age to properly curb any appetites (Hock, 1998. p. 14). When directed properly, it can be a social and helpful temperament that finds value in friendship and in helping others. Its extrovert nature wishes to be part of the world and be utilized as a way to bring God to others.
The third type of temperament is melancholy. A melancholy temperament stems from black vile and is more intuitive and emotional. It is slower to react to issues but ponders and reflects in greater detail. An individual with a melancholic temperament will exhibit a more reflective and reserved reactions to things. Many times, these individuals are indecisive due to the numerous emotions they reflect on for each situation. As the need suggest, this temperament is more subject to darker moods, sadness and can fall into depressions. They are also slower to forgive emotional offenses (Hock, 1998, p. 18).
A melancholic temperament is more emotional and intuitive. It is can be very emotionally prayerful but also easily fall into despair
A melancholic devoid of spirituality and God can easily lose faith in the world. Yet one who has God in their heart is very deep and emotional in all aspects of prayer life. Melancholic temperaments need encouragement and sympathetic understanding (Hock, 1998, p.19). Furthermore they need to be reinforced with optimism and the power of God in this world.
The final type of temperament is phlegmatic. Phlegmatic temperament is associated with phlegm in the body. These temperaments are very passive and introverted. They show little interest to issues and little response. They are by nature more easy going. The phlegmatic temperament is not easily offended and works well with others. However, due to its more relaxed state it can be more subject to sloth and laziness (Hock, 1998, p. 20). Children who show a more introvert side need more stimulation as well as information repeated. They are more docile in nature and respond less heatedly to reprimand. In the spiritual life, they need motivated and directed towards the awesome love of God and the need to implement action into life.
Application
The more dominant a temperament, the more difficult it is to curb and shape. One naturally without sin has inclinations according to temperament but one through spiritual training can not act on first impulse, analyze and respond in a more virtuous way. The temperaments explain why some are more inclined to certain vices or certain virtues. Like natural talents, some are more naturally patient, or kind, while others may be more prone to the senses or outbursts of anger. Just like virtue, one can easily find attraction to certain vices due to temperament.
This is why nurture through parenting and moral code is so key in forming the overall personality of a person. A more choleric personality does not predestine one to be a narcissist or a successful business person but it does lay the inclination for such bad or good achievements. Through moral character, formation of conscience and parental guidance any temperament can be utilized for a particular good and greatness within the Church. Likewise, when not curbed, or directed towards God, certain temperaments can lead to a destructive life style.
Fortunately as well, not everyone possesses one temperament. Usually one possesses a dominant temperament with a secondary temperament. The secondary temperament can make different blends that make someone not completely an extrovert but someone who enjoys both social but also private life. Mixtures and balances via secondary temperaments help create very complex individuals. When one adds, biological, psychological and social aspects, personalities can definitely become more complicated. This also creates a variety of personality types that are also covered in psychology. Four particular types of personalities can be found within each four primary temperaments. This obviously also excludes any mixtures. To learn more, additional readings lists these types of personalities.
Knowing thyself is key. What temperament are you? What is your secondary temperament? How has religion, moral code and conscience helped curb a primary temperament in your life?
Temperaments though remain at the core of a person’s personality. They are the natural inclinations and first reactions within a person. It is important to know oneself and if helping others via counseling, to try to have some idea of the temperament of the person. Christian Counselors can better guide their spiritual children with a better understand of temperament.
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Christian Counseling.
Additional Resources
“Four Temperaments Test: What’s My Temperament?”. Hinson, L. ( 2022). PsychCentral. Access here
Anti Social Personality Disorders are among the most dangerous disorders an individual can come across. Individuals with them are devoid of conscious or morality. Christian Counselors can only offer spiritual support, while mental health professionals can offer some medications and therapy. Still, those who exhibit anti-social disorders rarely look for help. Among the disorder there are two unofficial terms to label them. First, sociopathy, which deals with a devoid conscience tied with a heavily emotional response when confronted and psychopathy which is devoid of conscience but is far more tempered and controlled in response. Both can exhibit psychosis but it is not a necessary ingredient. Both are also extremely narcissistic personalities.
These personalities if met should be avoided and never provoked.
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional needs. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Christian Counselor. Again, Christian Counselors cannot treat this type of disorder but only licensed professional counselors and other mental health professionals.
