The sinful nature of man: A deficits based mindset?

[Sm412]

Hi all, new Christian here. Something I am struggling with:

My chosen career path is mental health counseling, specifically peer support. I have considerable life experience with addictions/mental health, have strong recovery, and have dedicated my life to helping those with such struggles.

Every counselor must develop a theoretical orientation which to work from. Mine is of high optimism. I am strengths-based and humanistic, that is, I believe in the inherent good of all my clients and seek to identify and work from their strengths rather than their deficits. If we spend all day talking about the awfulness of their condition, what does that help? I'd rather spend time talking about what is RIGHT with them, and to help them use those strengths to overcome their adversity.

What I have read of the bible thus far seems in some sense to be deficit based, that is, focusing on the inherent sinfulness of man rather than man's strengths. I get it, we all have faults, and despite our best efforts, fall short of the glory of God. Pride, arrogance, oppression, greed, etc. But what about the good aspects, or strengths, of man? Selflessness, altruism, love, loyalty, compassion. I view man more as a dual creature, with inherent good and bad, rather than holistically bad. Righteousness exists on a spectrum; some are better, MUCH better than others. So much so that many are completely incomparable, like trying to put Hitler next to MLK (sorry to invoke Godwin, just trying to drive the point home). I've seen atheists do good things, and Christians do bad things, and vice versa. Nothing is absolute with me regarding this, that is, I don't believe it's as cut and dry as man is entirely bad, or man is entirely good.

How does this fit into Christian theology? Does the bible address this? Bear in mind I'm not making any strong assertions; I'd just like to learn.

 

[Tolworth John]

How does this fit into Christian theology? Does the bible address this?

Yes the bible points out very strongly that we are sinful by nature and if left on its own this is depressing. But the bible doesn't leave us on our own.

We are taught about right conduct, about how to please God etc and most of all about the one who has dealt with our sins and helps us with our fallen nature.

That there is hope, hope for a new begining, hope of a future, hope of peace with God and with ourselves is very encouraging.

For those deal with recovering from addiction a hope that is not based in them selfs is something they need and search for in recovery meetings etc.

Have a look at this article:-
Psychology and Genesis - creation.com

 

[RobertM.]

Hi all, new Christian here. Something I am struggling with:

My chosen career path is mental health counseling, specifically peer support. I have considerable life experience with addictions/mental health, have strong recovery, and have dedicated my life to helping those with such struggles.

Every counselor must develop a theoretical orientation which to work from. Mine is of high optimism. I am strengths-based and humanistic, that is, I believe in the inherent good of all my clients and seek to identify and work from their strengths rather than their deficits. If we spend all day talking about the awfulness of their condition, what does that help? I'd rather spend time talking about what is RIGHT with them, and to help them use those strengths to overcome their adversity.

What I have read of the bible thus far seems in some sense to be deficit based, that is, focusing on the inherent sinfulness of man rather than man's strengths. I get it, we all have faults, and despite our best efforts, fall short of the glory of God. Pride, arrogance, oppression, greed, etc. But what about the good aspects, or strengths, of man? Selflessness, altruism, love, loyalty, compassion. I view man more as a dual creature, with inherent good and bad, rather than holistically bad. Righteousness exists on a spectrum; some are better, MUCH better than others. So much so that many are completely incomparable, like trying to put Hitler next to MLK (sorry to invoke Godwin, just trying to drive the point home). I've seen atheists do good things, and Christians do bad things, and vice versa. Nothing is absolute with me regarding this, that is, I don't believe it's as cut and dry as man is entirely bad, or man is entirely good.

How does this fit into Christian theology? Does the bible address this? Bear in mind I'm not making any strong assertions; I'd just like to learn.

Until we believe in Christ and receive the mind of God we are wholly given to self. All our motivation is gain for ourselves, even our compassion is meant to work for good for us. We mistake lust for love. Man is a fallen, evil being, and that should be obvious to all today. Yet even in that state we are like the men Paul found on Mars Hill with a monument "To the unknown God." We know we need help from something beyond ourselves, God sets it in our person to search for him. When we receive God's mind and Spirit we begin to love, we experience true joy, and begin to do for others expecting nothing in return. The bible reinforces the Spirit within by confirmation. Last winter I attended a Daily Crisis mental health group because as a Senior I was very lonely and depressed, despite being a Christian and bible believer for 41 years. None of us at the group made much progress until we began talking about God, which surprisingly was not discouraged by the mental health professionals. But even before that conversation a natural affection moved among us, as we recognized our frailty, we had been honest enough to ask for help. "Seek and ye shall find. Ask and it shall be given thee." The group was not compulsory, we could attend when we felt the need or desire, but we were asked to be not later than five minutes, so we were expected to be considerate. I believe the group was a huge help for all. I did not accept meds, so they were not part of my progress. God sets us free. But I think I need to return to the group this winter. Our 'churches' seem fallen in the great falling away prophesized.

 

[Rescued One]

Hi all, new Christian here. Something I am struggling with:

My chosen career path is mental health counseling, specifically peer support. I have considerable life experience with addictions/mental health, have strong recovery, and have dedicated my life to helping those with such struggles.

Every counselor must develop a theoretical orientation which to work from. Mine is of high optimism. I am strengths-based and humanistic, that is, I believe in the inherent good of all my clients and seek to identify and work from their strengths rather than their deficits. If we spend all day talking about the awfulness of their condition, what does that help? I'd rather spend time talking about what is RIGHT with them, and to help them use those strengths to overcome their adversity.

What I have read of the bible thus far seems in some sense to be deficit based, that is, focusing on the inherent sinfulness of man rather than man's strengths. I get it, we all have faults, and despite our best efforts, fall short of the glory of God. Pride, arrogance, oppression, greed, etc. But what about the good aspects, or strengths, of man? Selflessness, altruism, love, loyalty, compassion. I view man more as a dual creature, with inherent good and bad, rather than holistically bad. Righteousness exists on a spectrum; some are better, MUCH better than others. So much so that many are completely incomparable, like trying to put Hitler next to MLK (sorry to invoke Godwin, just trying to drive the point home). I've seen atheists do good things, and Christians do bad things, and vice versa. Nothing is absolute with me regarding this, that is, I don't believe it's as cut and dry as man is entirely bad, or man is entirely good.

How does this fit into Christian theology? Does the bible address this? Bear in mind I'm not making any strong assertions; I'd just like to learn.

We recognize our need for a Savior because we are aware of our sins. The good that people do without recognizing that our ability to do good comes from God is like slapping Jesus in the face. You will know Christians by their fruits. A person who claims to be a Christian and is disobedient to Christ, might not be a Christian.

1 John 2
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1 John 5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

John 14
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Micah 6
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

We don't go around telling people how evil they. We ourselves were walking in darkness before. We invite people to experience God's love and strength.

Nehemiah 8
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Psalm 9
9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

2 Samuel 22
2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

Common grace:

In the book of James we see that “every good and perfect gift comes down from above . . . from the father of lights” (James 1:17). This means that every act of goodness, wisdom, justice, and beauty—no matter who does it—is being enabled by God. It is a gift, and therefore some form of grace. For example, there is a general
understanding among Christians that nature reveals God apart from the Bible. That is, most understand that even beyond the Bible and saving faith, God reveals himself generally to all people through the magnificence of nature, as they view the ocean, the mountains, and other breathtaking grandeur. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).
Dr. Timothy Keller
https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...da94dc/1396614780413/What_Is_Common_Grace.pdf

 

[Rescued One]

Hebrews 10:24 tells us to build one another up. That is something mental health workers and friends can do.

Contemporary English Version Proverbs 25
11 The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver.
Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.