Post by Josh on Jul 9, 2016 16:29:20 GMT -8
So, in our recent discussions about guilt vs. shame, etc.., I've been thinking about whether, in light of the cross, shame has any appropriate ongoing role in our lives?
First off, I have come to define guilt as feeling bad about something you've done and shame as feeling bad about yourself because of something you've done. This is, at least, the popular paradigm in parenting: we shouldn't tell our kids they are bad, but rather that they have some bad behaviors. It is seen as bad to shame a child, but potentially constructive to differentiate between right or wrong actions.
If the fall of mankind brought both guilt and shame to humanity, but Christ decisively dealt with both of those issues in his Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection, is there any legitimate place for the experience of either guilt or shame in the Christian's life?
I think it's pretty obvious that as Christians, we should feel guilt over our sinful choices and that such sorrow (if Godly and Spirit-attended) can drive us back into the arms of our Father. But my standard take on shame has been that we need never feel shame because we are a new creation in Christ, and there is now "no condemnation in Christ Jesus" and "As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Shame is seen as having no positive effect. It is a bad word among "psychologically enlightened" Christians.
That said, I'm a little unsure that it doesn't have an ongoing potentially remedial role in our lives when I read passages like:
Ephesians 5:12
It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
1 Corinthians 6:5
I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
1 Corinthians 15:34
Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
2 Corinthians 11:21
To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.
Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Revelation 16:15
“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Thoughts?
First off, I have come to define guilt as feeling bad about something you've done and shame as feeling bad about yourself because of something you've done. This is, at least, the popular paradigm in parenting: we shouldn't tell our kids they are bad, but rather that they have some bad behaviors. It is seen as bad to shame a child, but potentially constructive to differentiate between right or wrong actions.
If the fall of mankind brought both guilt and shame to humanity, but Christ decisively dealt with both of those issues in his Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection, is there any legitimate place for the experience of either guilt or shame in the Christian's life?
I think it's pretty obvious that as Christians, we should feel guilt over our sinful choices and that such sorrow (if Godly and Spirit-attended) can drive us back into the arms of our Father. But my standard take on shame has been that we need never feel shame because we are a new creation in Christ, and there is now "no condemnation in Christ Jesus" and "As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Shame is seen as having no positive effect. It is a bad word among "psychologically enlightened" Christians.
That said, I'm a little unsure that it doesn't have an ongoing potentially remedial role in our lives when I read passages like:
Ephesians 5:12
It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
1 Corinthians 6:5
I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
1 Corinthians 15:34
Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
2 Corinthians 11:21
To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.
Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Revelation 16:15
“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Thoughts?