The Christian Theory of Human Needs: Flesh and Spiritual Needs (A Spiritual Approach by Gayed)

Abstract

This proposed theory disagrees with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Based on the idea that humans are made up of spirit (a breath from God) and flesh (earthly nature), and the desires of each part is opposite of the desires of the other. Therefore, every person who believes in a Creator and of eternal life after death, especially Christians since this theory is based on Biblical teachings, has two sets of needs that need to be satisfied, spiritual needs and needs of the flesh. These needs work against each other. From a Christian point of view, it’s not required to satisfy both of these equally or proportionally, therefore they will be satisfied at different levels. The theory assumes that the total sum of both needs, those of the spirit and those of the flesh, add up to a 100%; and that a Christian person should be lead by his spiritual needs, even if he did not work on trying to satisfy them. Therefore the needs of the flesh are the complementary needs, because the spirit can tame the flesh but not the other way around. Thus, the spiritual needs start at an unknown quantity above zero and can continue to grow to a point less than a 100% (because of basic bodily needs that must always be satisfied) based on how hard a person strives within the teachings of their church. On the other hand, the scale of the needs of the flesh start from a point above zero to a point less than 100% (as there is a minimum level of morality, mercy and love in every human regardless of their personal beliefs). The theory also assumes that the spiritual needs start at a line called the line of faith and ends in a line representing the spirit leaving the body. The spiritual needs are divided into three escalating and complementary levels. It’s not necessary for every believer to go through all levels during their life but they have to a pass through a level before going into the more advanced level. The spiritual levels are: basic spiritual needs, belonging and participation, and, lastly, the desire to transcend and be released. Each level, therefore, does not replace the previous one, but rather adds to it. Finally, the theory assumes that throughout a person’s life, the spirit versus and the flesh will be at a constant battle for control in a person’s life.