Chistrian religion and personality

by priyanka kulkarni
m.a. psychology student
at A.A. Quadri Hospital
Christian ( religion of peace)

Christianity is often regarded as a religion of peace. In fact, one of the core teachings of Christianity is to
"love your neighbor as yourself" and to "turn the other cheek" when confronted with violence or
aggression .
Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, is often quoted as saying "Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). This emphasis on peace and nonviolence is a key
aspect of Christian teachings and is reflected in the practices of many Christian denominations.
That being said, it's also important to acknowledge that Christianity, like any other major religion, is
complex and multifaceted, and its teachings and practices have been interpreted in many different ways
throughout history. While many Christians have worked tirelessly to promote peace and nonviolence.
Origin of chiristian: jesus christ

To understand Christianity, one must understand Jesus Christ. ("Christ" is a Greek

word meaning savior).
Jesus was born around 4 BC into a Jewish family, but began to teach a new type of
Judaism that emphasized God's love for mankind. He had twelve students or
disciples who were called the Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Cultural background

* Christianity began in Judea (modern day Israel)

* This area was controlled by the Romans. There religion at the time was Pagan, a
polytheistic religion.
* The Jewish people felt strong dislike towards the Romans that they lived under.
Who are christians

Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centered on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection
of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the belief in one God and the importance of faith, love, and compassion.
Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, and the savior of
humanity .
They believe in the Holy Bible, which includes the Old and New Testaments, as the inspired word of
God.
Characteristics of Christians

1. Belief in Jesus Christ: Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who died on
the cross for the forgiveness of sins and was resurrected on the third day.
2. Faith and trust in God: Christians have faith in God's love, mercy, and provision
for their lives.
3. Following Jesus' teachings: Christians strive to follow Jesus' teachings, such as
loving their neighbors, forgiving others, and living a life of compassion and service.
4. Participation in Christian practices: Christians participate in various practices,
such as prayer, worship, baptism, and communion
teachings

The teachings of Christianity center around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is
believed to be the Son of God and the savior of humanity. Here are some key teachings:
- Love and Forgiveness: Jesus taught the importance of loving God and loving one's neighbors as
oneself. He also emphasized the need to forgive others and seek forgiveness for one's own sins ¹.
- The Golden Rule: Jesus taught his followers to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
(Matthew 7:12). - The Importance of Faith: Christianity teaches that faith in Jesus Christ is essential for
salvation and eternal life. -
The Trinity: Christians believe in one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the
Holy Spirit.
The Bible: The Bible is the holy scripture of Christianity, comprising the Old and New
Testaments. - Salvation: Christianity teaches that salvation comes through faith in Jesus
Christ, who died on the cross to forgive humanity's sins.
The Second Coming: Christians believe that Jesus will return to earth again in what's
known as the Second Coming.
Core Beliefs:

- The Trinity: One God in three persons - Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. -
Salvation: Faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross provides forgiveness of
sins and eternal life
- The Bible: The holy scripture, comprising the Old and New Testaments, is the
inspired word of God.
- Jesus' Teachings: Love, forgiveness, and compassion are essential principles
guiding Christian behavior.
Ideal personality in christian

In Christianity, an ideal personality is often described as someone who embodies the characteristics of
Jesus Christ and lives according to His teachings.
Spiritual Traits
1. Humility: Recognizing one's limitations and dependence on God .
2. Compassion: Showing empathy and kindness towards others .
3. Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and forgiving others as God forgives us .
4. Love: Demonstrating unconditional love and care for others .
Moral Traits
1. Integrity: Living with honesty, transparency, and moral uprightness .
2. Responsibility: Taking ownership of one's actions and their consequences .
3. Self-control: Managing one's emotions, desires, and behaviors in a godly manner .
4. Perseverance: Enduring hardships and challenges with faith and hope .
Relational Traits
1. Hospitality: Welcoming and caring for others, especially those in need .
2. Encouragement: Building others up and supporting them in their faith journey .
3. Peacemaking: Seeking to resolve conflicts and promote harmony in relationships .
4. Servanthood: Willingly serving others and putting their needs before one's own .
These traits, among others, are considered essential for a Christian to cultivate in their life, as they reflect
the character of Jesus Christ and demonstrate a commitment to following His teachings.
There is a widespread criticism that Christianity makes souls morbid end unhealthy. Indeed, there are
many who seem to think that Christlanity and healthy mindedness ere contradictory concepts. However,
according to Norborg, if such criticism were to have any bearing on Christianity,
Such a connection cannot be demonstrated. On the contrary, of any scientific, unbiased psychologist will
have to admit that among Christians there are many personalities who are decidedly healthy type.
Psychologists are realizing more and more the importance of religion of in healthy personality
development.
as Weatherhead remarks, there are still those = most of the psychotherapists - who appear to have
dismissed religion as
“ refuge of weak, silly, and rather sentimental souls, a kind of dope which the strong-minded will eschew,
a useful device. in treating hysteria, put of no greater value.
Nevertheless, those psychologists who ‘have a scientific & realistic attitude admit the importance of
religion in the establishment of mental health. Jung observes: "A religious * attltude is an element in
psychic Life whose importance can hardly be overrated."
ALL of these quotations recognize the value of relicion in healthy personality development. In reality
there is but one religion. The only true religion is the God-inspired religion of the Bible = Christianity.
But this is the point that we wish to emphesize: if there is value to be found in the men -nade
philosophies and relifions of this life, how much greater value is to be found in the Christian religion
which, as we have indiceted in the previous chepter,-is the wisdom of God
and the power of God!
Referring specifically to the christian fallow, : Dr. J. A. Hadfield, a psychotherapist of renown, has
said Speaking as a student of psychotherapy, wnowias such,
as no concerned with theology, I am convinced that the Christian religion is one of the most valuable and
has potential influences thet‘we possess for producing that ony and peace of mind and that confidence of
soul whi ch is needed to bring health and power to a large number of nervous patients . . . I have
attempted to cure nervous patients with suggestions of quietness and confidence, but without success
until I have linked these suggestions on.to that faith in the power of God which is the substance of the
Christian's confidence and hope. Then the patient has become strong.
It cannot be denied that the Christian religion is of definite positive value in the establishment and
maintainence of mental health. And the reason for this is not difficult to find.
On the one hand Christianity aids in the establishment of those positive factors which lead to personality
integration, while, on the other hand, it helps to overcome those negative factors which might easily
result in personality disintegration.
The ancient Hebraic view of humanity was monistic where the wholeness of being was emphasized, as
contrasted with the more analytical thinking of the Greek mindset. This holistic perception was best
exemplified by the term nephesh. In this term, a person is identified as a living being—a creature.
Though humanity as nephesh is limited by being basar, humanity does carry a special stamp in being
ruach. This provides humanity with the capacity for self awareness and self-transcendence. It gives the
human being a special personality—a personality very closely related to that of the Creator. Ruach is
nephesh expressed by energy and direction—often classified as motivation or motive power.
According to Howard, this is an important distinction to make as the Greek concept of humanity actually
created two persons, where functionally there would be only one. This was accomplished through the
theory that the spiritual aspect of humanity as identified as soul or mind would in fact one day “exist
separate from the body as a disembodied soul” (Howard 1975, 21), thereby severing a human being into
two distinct parts.
Old Testament anthropology. The terms to be observed are soma (body), sarx
(flesh), psyche (soul), pneuma (spirit), kardia (heart), nous (mind), suneidēsis
(conscience), and the distinctions of inner and outer as understood by Paul.
Soma as body

Simply stated, soma means body. As used by Paul, it is the most comprehensive term in his
anthropological thinking, as well as the most complex. The Apostle used this term as a replacement for
the Hebraic nephesh, whose Greek equivalent is psyche.
Psyche, however, carried with it a distinct dualistic connotation that neither Paul nor the ancient Hebrews
could accept. The Greek use of psyche served to identify for them an immortal and immaterial entity that
could exist in and of itself as absent from the material body in which it was encased. Nephesh, on the
other hand, expressed the Hebrew view of humanity in both the external and internal sense. This meant
that humanity in all its fullness was manifested in a physical body.
Psyche as soul

The Apostle Paul used psyche, generally translated soul, on a very limited basis. This was because the
Greek and the Hebrew use of this concept had very different meanings. For the Greek, psyche carried
very definite dualistic implications. In this manner, it was a separate entity within the human being that is
immortal and can survive without a body. When Paul did use the term, he used it from the ancient
Hebrew perspective of life. Unlike nephesh, however, which was also descriptive of animal life, Paul
used psyche strictly for humans as physical, striving, willing, and purposing beings
In summary, the Apostle Paul used psyche as human wholeness of being. Frequently it expressed the
thinking, working, and feeling aspects of the inner person . When psyche is used to express inner motive
or purpose, Paul never contrasted it with soma or sarx. The manner in which Paul used psyche, therefore,
easily lent itself to being translated with a personal pronoun. On the whole, psyche signifies a person’s
life in all of its natural humanness, wholeness, and unity of being, or as a “self” .