Christians & Shame

December 21, 2004 · Filed Under theology

Ok, a bunch of recent postings in the blogosphere have coalesced in my mind, and are about to emerge…

In some previous postings, I’ve referenced recent entries by Theresa (Be Strong in the Grace) and Rob (Love & Blunder) that dealt with the question of “What is an “Evangelical?” These two blogs were, in turn, influenced by discussions over at Beggars All. These three blogs (six bloggers total, I believe…) share a common shared history within the Reformed/Arminian morass that is contemporary American “Evangelicalism” (aka: “Methobapticostalism”).

Now, I must preface my musings with a confession that, as a LCMS “lifer,” I have a certain morbid curiosity regarding the “lifestyle theology” that is “Evangelicalism.” As an amateur historian (BA in History from Kalamazoo College), I find the emergence of Methobapticostalism over the course of the 20th Century, and particularly the melding of Pietism & Postmodernism upon which it is based, to be quite fascinating. Scary & dead wrong, but fascinating nonetheless. But I digress…

Mike, over at Beggars All, has made some very insightful observations about the role that shame plays in, well, all of us, but particularly among certain in Methobapticostalism/”Evangelicalism.” Of particular interest was the shame associated with the concept of depression and role that prescription medication can play in dealing with depression. While mental health issues have always carried a stigma, within certain religious circles, there seems to be an additional stigma centered around the idea that problems like depression are manifestations of a lack of faith and/or “true” belief. And, if only a person could get “right” with the Lord, and become “stronger in the Spirit” then they would be able to overcome their depression. Hogwash!

We are sinful. Our very natures are fallen. Once we have been brought into faith by the Holy Ghost, marked by our Lord through the saving waters of Holy Baptism, Satan starts to hammer away at us. He uses all the nefarious tools at his disposal, including the frailties of our fallen bodies & minds. There are very real medical/physiological/psychological problems that beset us, as a result of the Fall — alcoholism, mental disease, homosexuality, etc. These maladies are very real, and cannot be wished or believed away. They are a part of, and part & parcel with, our fallen natures. Some diseases can be healed, while others cannot. St. Paul mentioned “thorns of the flesh” and I think that this is (at least part of) what he was talking about.

The thing is, the Old Adam in each of us really wants to do it himself, and be measured up against the Law. He really wants to overcome any “thorns of the flesh” on his own, and he wants everyone to play by that set of rules. The Law-driven, heterodox theologies out there go along (however unwittingly) with this Law-driven mindset. It makes logical sense to our fallen minds. It even sounds good & righteous — “If you only believe hard enough, and decide to become Spirit-driven enough, then you will be well, and your problems will go away!” All it is is the Theology of Glory, in all its purpose-driven “splendor.” All it does, is shift the focus & emphasis away from what Christ did on the cross, to what man does for himself. All it does is turn you away from God’s gracious gift of salvation, and point you straight to Hell.

It’s a fundamental misunderstanding of how God has promised to care & provide for us. One of the doctrines I like the most is Luther’s Doctrine of Vocation. We are all given vocations by God — I’m a son, husband, father, Godfather, uncle, elder, employee, citizen, etc. By faithfully carrying out these vocations, I am certainly glorifying God. More to the point, though, I am working to provide good works for my neighbors. God has no need for my works, but my neighbor does. The doctrine of vocation is how God indirectly provides & cares for His children on this earth. The farmer grows wheat. The miller grinds wheat into flour. The baker bakes bread. The trucker delivers bread to the market. The grocer sells me a loaf of bread. In this way, God provides me with daily bread!

Thus, to the larger point of this posting, why should anyone be ashamed of availing themselves of the vocational services of the chemist who creates an anti-depressant drug, or the doctor who diagnoses the depression & prescribes the drug, or the pharmacist who fills the prescription? Or the psychologist/psychiatrist who provides therapeutic counseling? Or the pastor who provides pastoral counseling?

They shouldn’t! This neurotic sinner most certainly thanks God every day for the gift of Zoloft, and the competent doctors who prescribe it…

The only real stigma is that of sin. And we are all equally stigmatized.

And we are all equally saved, washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb, shed for us on Calvary!

Thanks be to God for that!

-ghp

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Tags: faith, pietism, theology, vocation