Theology 3

Higher Self:

Higher Self:

•  Harmony, Fearless, Compassionate, Expansive

• Generous, Inclusive, All-Knowing, One w/ God

• Always thinking in regrates to role in creation (interconnected)

• Happiness > Wealth 

• Understands the importance of fulfillment  + meaning in life

• Sees past, present + future at once (not time bound)

• Loves unconditionally

• Best option to turn too when decisions need to be made

Ego

• Short-sighted, Territorial, Greedy, Fearful

• Misguided, Reactive, Blinded by greed

• Focused on survival + security

• Money > Happiness

• Loves conditionally

• Fixacted on past worries abt failure

• Sepeate from God + wisdom he offers

• Views you as separate from rest of world

• No sense of bigger picture

Displacement

Redirection of an impulse (usually aggressive) into a powerless substitute target (person or an object)

Sublimation

Displaces emotions (aggressive/angry) into constructive rather than destructive activity

Projection

The attribution of one’s undesirable feelings to others. A person shifts blame and/or responsibility for his/her actions or thoughts to another person

Rationalization

The providing of socially acceptable reasons for one’s inappropriate behavior

Regression

The displaying immature behavior that have relieved anxiety in the past

Regression

Engaging in the behavior of characteristics of an earlier stage of development

Reaction formation 

The tendency to act in a manner opposite to one’s true feelings

Repression 1

Unwanted impulses on thoughts being unconsciously pushed out of awareness

Repression

The banishment of threatening thoughts, feelings, and memories into the unconscious mind 

Suppression

Deliberately trying to forget or no think about painful or unwanted thoughts

Denial

Ignoring or refusing to believe/accept an unpleasant reality; thus blocking external events from awareness

Legalism

• Excessive reliance on the law

• Everything covered by rules + regulations

• Going by the book no matter what circumstances

Anarchy

• Absence of the rule of law

• Why can’t I just do whatever I want with my time, money, body?

• All law; obituary (based on random choice on personal whim)

Eternal Law

The order in creation that reflects God’s will and purpose; Mind of God: always true + never changes

Eternal Law Benefits

Benefits: All other laws arise from eternal law because God governs the universe, controls the lifecycles, provides the truth/structure of how everything is supposed to work

Eternal Law Examples

Ex. Divine Oneness, Cause + Effect, Attraction, Rhythm

Moral Law

Rational expression of eternal law, establish by God; accessed by our conscience

Moral Law Benefits

Benefits: Reflects god’s truth, wisdom, love, leaders us to a life well lived

Moral Law Examples

Ex. 10 Commandments, Beatitudes; A person should not lie, steal, spread false witness, etc

Natural law

Grounded in human nature/accessed through reason; Expresses what it means to be in the right relationship with ourselves, God, others, the world

Natural law Benefits

Benefits: Protection of human life and dignity

Natural law Examples

Ex. Parents should care for their children; A person should care about one’s + other’s life, Declaration of Independence

Civil Law

Law that governs the relationship between individuals; Regulates non criminal rights

Civil law Benefits

Benefits: Contractural rights, Property rights, Torts (civil wrongs)

Civil law Examples

Ex. Landlord disputes, Divorce proceedings, Child custody protection

Golden rule

Treat people the way we want to be treated (natural law)

Golden rule

Benefits: Helps establish a standard behavior; Learn to treat people with respect

Golden rule

Ex. People should not harm others

Old Law

Accessed through our reason

• Teaches us what to do + what to avoid

• 10 Commandments

  • Care + build relationships w/ God

  • Respect + care for precious life God gave us

  • etc.

New Law

• Accessed through our heart

• Christ rejects both: legalism + anarchy

• Jesus’s mission statement:

  • “ The spirit of the LORD is upon Me. Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel (good news) to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted. To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed”(Luke 4:18)

• New Law

  • Sermon on the Mount

  • Beatitudes

    • Guidelines of how we can experience happiness in our lives

Stage 1: (reward/punishment)

Right: Doing it, I am going to be rewarded or punished for my action

Stage 1: (reward/punishment)

Wrong: There is going to be no reward or there will be a punishment for my action

Reward

Ex. I will cheat because I will get a better score on the exam

Punishment

Ex. I won’t cheat because I will get caught

Stage 2: (What is in it for me?)

Right: What makes a person feel good and satisfied

Stage 2: (What is in it for me?)

Wrong: What makes a person feel pain and dissatisfaction

Stage 2: (What is in it for me?)

Ex. I will help you if I get something out of it. Conversely, I’m not going to hel you if there’s nothing in it for me

Stage 3: (Law and Order)

Right: What law says is allowable or there is no law against it

Stage 3: (Law and Order)

Wrong: What law/rules say is unacceptable

Stage 3: (Law and Order)

Ex. You must not shoplift because it is illegal

 Stage 4: (Interpersonal Conformity)

Right: My parents/freinds, teachers approve it

 Stage 4: (Interpersonal Conformity)

Wrong: My parents, friends, teachers disapprove it

 Stage 4: (Interpersonal Conformity)

 I will not cheat on the test because my parents would be ashamed of me

Stage 5: (What are Society’s Standards?)

Right: What society guarantees and upholds- what everybody agrees/gives consent as standards of common conduct

Stage 5: (What are Society’s Standards?)

What society/community deems unacceptable

Stage 5: (What are Society’s Standards?)

Obeying school rules/laws out of respect for others’ rights and dignity

Stage 6:(It is a Principled/Right Thing to do)

Right: Following what my internalized motives (faith, principles, values) tell me to do instead of external motives (reward/punishment/approval/laws/ rules)

Stage 6: (It is a Principled/Right Thing to do)

Wrong: Everything that compromises my principles and values, everything that is disrespectful of me and others

Stage 6:(It is a Principled/Right Thing to do)

Ex. Saving a life comes before financial gain, even if the person is a stranger