Freudian Mindset

Wow... I am preparing for a test, that commences in the morning, for a class called "Psychology of Personality." One of the strongest "theories" we have been wrestling with is that of Sigmund Freud. It's amazing that, though he was a self-proclaimed atheist, much of his overall perspective for humankind had a biblically relevant application. In a nutshell, Freud believed in the basic "badness" of the human race. In his estimation, we are ALL inanimately bad and thus have natural tendencies that gravitate toward an almost evil outcome and destiny. However, he believed that through a set and sequence of pregenital "stages" that one could learn to deal in society to be a functional person by way of healthy or functional advancement through each aforementioned stage. He believed that there were three levels of consciousness: The "id" The "ego" and The "superego." Id being the unconscious level of personality. Id, being driven by the pleasure principle, is an unfiltered and unquenchable force that basically seeks to do what is wanted and not what is politically correct. The superego is the "middle man" that basically tries to convince the id that his desire is understandable but not practical at the time. Thus the superego is fashioned to redirect the energies of the id to wait until there is some socially acceptable time and place to carry out it's driving desires. The ego represents the socially conscious level or echelon of personality existence. The ego has internalized the socially acceptable "means" of societal principles. So... The ego is a place that absorbs what is learned in society to be "morally right" in the eyes of the masses. What parents, church, God, etc has taught serves as the "acceptable" avenue for the id to satisfy it's urge.

This is important and amazing. Freud inadvertently substantiated the claims of the Holy Scriptures. Over and over again we see how, through the fall of Adam (subsequently mankind) we are all overcome with the tendency and penalty of sin. David said, in Psalm 51, "I was born into sin and in sin did my mother conceive men." Isaiah said, in Isaiah 6, "for I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell amongst a people of unclean lips." Jesus Himself said, in John 3:18, "whoever believes in Him (Jesus) is NOT condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned ALREADY." Unfortunately, we all have a sin mechanism that is innately healthy WITHOUT the acceptance and sacrifice of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Yes Freud... we ARE innately doomed to a life of evil and condescending tendency withOUT the intervention and intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God for the promise in 2 Corinthians 5:17... "if ANY man be in Christ he is a NEW creation, old things are past away BEHOLD, all things are become new."

Though Freud ultimately takes a pessimistic approach to the plight and plot of people, thank God there is a great high priest that, according to the Hebrew writer, has offered a new and living way. Thus the Freudian mindset, though having some validity in premise, is ultimately not the last voice on the matter.... Hallelujah!!!

Shalom,

Kevin L. Pullam