Abstract
A Christian narrative of the self provides a critique of a contemporary highly ennobled therapeutic and individualistic understanding of the self. Within a Christian anthropological narrative, the self is ennobled not in and of itself, but by virtue of its union with God. This leads theologians, both ancient and contemporary, to speak boldly about becoming fully human, and even more, becoming God. Herein, this Christian story of the self is explored, with implications for Christian psychology and its dialogue with other psychological perspectives.
Highlights
Just Be YourselfThere may not be a more fitting slogan for contemporary American culture, nor a more fitting summary of contemporary psychological wisdom
In God’s image, human beings are able to live out their relationality and missionality authentically
Christians, of all people, ought to affirm the popular motto—Just be yourself!—if, this self is ennobled with a larger sense of identity and purpose
Summary
There may not be a more fitting slogan for contemporary American culture, nor a more fitting summary of contemporary psychological wisdom. For Merton, Clement and Athanasius, to become oneself is, to become Godself, to experience union and communion with the only fully-human being who is both God and man. God dwelling in human beings is fundamental to orthodox faith, but fundamental to Christian anthropological identity. A biblical vision for human flourishing rejects Platonic and dualistic anthropologies which divide body and soul, and in so doing de-value the importance of the self. Self is amorphous, floating, ever-changing, the product of one’s most recent whim With all of this in mind, it is critically important to attempt a historic Christian understanding of becoming ourselves, especially as it weaves in and through contemporary psychological insights into selfhood and wholeness.
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