Women and Self-Esteem (Post #4)
The Bible's Solution
In contrast to the view of the world that looks within for an understanding of ourslves, the Bible's response is that the key to Self-Esteem is found not inwardly but outwardly!
We'll look at the bible's solution in four sections:
1. Our concept of self or identity is fundamentally tied up in who God is;
2. The devastating impact of Sin
3. Christian identity is radically transformed in Jesus;
4. The effect of the overlap of the ages.
So firstly,
Our concept of self or identity is fundamentally tied up in who God is
Human beings play a special part in God's creation - we are created in God's image and are specially tasked as his vice-regents here on earth. In Gen 1:26-28 we read of the special dignity and rule that the first man and woman are given in the world while Psalm 8 celebrates the glory of man created in God's image.
There is a high honour given to man that comes not from within but from without, with reference to the one who created us in his image, who is himself the creator and sustainer of the whole universe.
In radical contrast to the world that tells us to look within to find identity and security, the bible tells us to fix our eyes outside of ourselves, on the God of the whole universe and to ground all of our thinking about ourselves in the Character and Nature of the one who created us in his image.
The devastating impact of sin
The rejection of God by the first man and woman, created in God's image, has devastating consequences for them and us Gen 3. While we remain in God's image, sin impacts upon each and every aspect of our lives. Because of sin we are dead (Eph 2:1), alienated from God (Col 1:21), enemies of God (Rom 5:10).
more to come ...
In contrast to the view of the world that looks within for an understanding of ourslves, the Bible's response is that the key to Self-Esteem is found not inwardly but outwardly!
We'll look at the bible's solution in four sections:
1. Our concept of self or identity is fundamentally tied up in who God is;
2. The devastating impact of Sin
3. Christian identity is radically transformed in Jesus;
4. The effect of the overlap of the ages.
So firstly,
Our concept of self or identity is fundamentally tied up in who God is
Human beings play a special part in God's creation - we are created in God's image and are specially tasked as his vice-regents here on earth. In Gen 1:26-28 we read of the special dignity and rule that the first man and woman are given in the world while Psalm 8 celebrates the glory of man created in God's image.
There is a high honour given to man that comes not from within but from without, with reference to the one who created us in his image, who is himself the creator and sustainer of the whole universe.
In radical contrast to the world that tells us to look within to find identity and security, the bible tells us to fix our eyes outside of ourselves, on the God of the whole universe and to ground all of our thinking about ourselves in the Character and Nature of the one who created us in his image.
The devastating impact of sin
The rejection of God by the first man and woman, created in God's image, has devastating consequences for them and us Gen 3. While we remain in God's image, sin impacts upon each and every aspect of our lives. Because of sin we are dead (Eph 2:1), alienated from God (Col 1:21), enemies of God (Rom 5:10).
more to come ...
Labels: help, Self-Esteem, training
posted by Mandy at
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
5 Comments:
If you make the self-esteem too externally located, does that actually make the self-esteem problem worse? Doesn't there need to be an internal-external dialetic rather? That is, I hear Christians (especially women) talking about this externalised location of worth in contrast with feelings of an internal loathsomeness...
By
michael jensen, at Thursday, March 15, 2007 8:00:00 pm
There is a high honour given to man that comes not from within but from without
Although I hate to be too pedantic (OK, maybe I secretly love it), wouldn't this context be an ideal one for consistently gender-inclusive language? You know you want to... :-)
By
byron smith, at Friday, March 16, 2007 12:44:00 am
Is 'solution' the right word? Does the Bible actual offer a 'solution' in the same way that the world does? In a sense what the Bible gives is not a solution but a promise... that puts the discussion on a whole new footing, and helps you not to be too tidy (not that you are).
By
michael jensen, at Friday, March 16, 2007 12:49:00 am
Michael - yep, it can't all be externally located, but I'm trying to get at the idea that as Christians we actually need to start externally not internally.
An in fact, I think that the external view need to radically transform our internal self-talk, although I recognise that this won't be perfected this side of heaven.
Byron - if I had a good gender inclusive term that wasn't quite so abstract I'd probably go with it - but I think that 'humanity' doesn't quite express what I mean!!!
Michael - interestingly I was thinking along the lines that this section would end with the idea that the solution that the bible offers is in fact a hope for what will be (ala 1Jn3) but I like the promise framework. It's where I'm trying to head!
By
Mandy, at Saturday, March 17, 2007 11:03:00 am
What about, "there is a high honour given to us"? Or "each of us"? Or "us humans"?
By
byron smith, at Sunday, March 18, 2007 9:15:00 am
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