Human anger in the teachings of the New Testament and pastoral care: a comparative study
Carter, John Paul
Carter, John Paul
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Date
1973
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Abstract
The purpose of the dissertation is to compare the teachings of the New Testament concerning human anger with the teachings of Pastoral Care. The procedure followed is, first, to examine the teachings of the New Testaments Matt. 5:21-26; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 4:26-27, 31; 6:4; Col. 3:8, 21; Ja. 1:19-20; Tit. 1:7; I Tim. 2:8. Following this, a study is made of the Pastoral Care literature and of a survey of twenty-one teachers of Pastoral Care whose responses are included in the appendix. Based upon the results of these studies, a comparison is made between the teachings of the New Testament and Pastoral Care. The teachings of Pastoral Care concerning anger are much more detailed and, on the whole, more positive than those of the New Testament. Both, however, make some distinction between anger and hostility and seem to be most concerned with anger that is unresolved and harbored. The Pastoral Care literature is much more concerned than are the New Testament teachings with the sources and functions of anger, both positive and negative. While the New Testament teachings focus mainly on expression and suppression of anger, the Pastoral Care teachings deal with a great variety of reactions including channeling, repression, displacement, etc. The New Testament's approach to dealing with anger is primarily that of an immediate confrontation and attempt at reconciliation, by either the subject or the object of the anger. Acceptance of the angry person, recognition of the anger by the person himself, discovery of primary causation and use of an appropriate means of discharge are the primary approaches of the Pastoral Care literature. The understanding of those writing and teaching in Pastoral Care that anger can be displaced, can have far deeper roots than the immediate situation, and can be expressed in widely varied forms has the potential to enrich the New Testament understanding of anger. On the other hand, the New Testament emphasis on the immediate resolution of anger can be of great help in preventative Pastoral Care, as can its emphasis on the conscious control of anger. There is also a need to correct false and extremely negative interpretations of the New Testament teachings concerning anger.
Contents
Subject
Subject(s)
Bible. N.T.--Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Anger--Religious aspects--Christianity
Pastoral care
Pastoral counseling
Anger--Religious aspects--Christianity
Pastoral care
Pastoral counseling
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Dissertation
Description
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v, 176 pages
Department
Brite Divinity School