The Nottingham pebble-counter, who camouflages his arithmetical zeal by adopting the enigmatic name ‘Psephizo’, is a seasoned blogger to whom we are indebted. As a newcomer to the blogging game I regard him with serious attention. My readers from Srinagar to Toronto and locations in between have a similar attitude, I am sure.
The latest element in his blog – posted yesterday – is toxic shame. This is an extremely sensitive issue. Churchill, as we all know, had his black dog – as do a great many of us. Others, including one person who came to Ian Paul (aka Psephizo) or his contributor may be troubled not by a dog but by a lion. This, sadly, caused depression and lack of self-worth in the visitor. I am reminded of a poet I was in touch with recently who was troubled by the discovery that many of the churches she comes across are based on the inculcation of guilt.
The Nottingham pebble-counter (or is it his contributor?) takes readers along with him in exploring the distinction between guilt and shame. Shame, it is said may, for example, be the lot of the person made redundant. He or she has not done anything wrong. It is a sense of being shunned or contemned by friends and neighbours that causes distress. And the writer goes on to point out that an over-the-top emphasis on justification by faith may prevent us from understanding one of the common problems that flesh is heir to. We develop a blind spot as we fail to differentiate shame from guilt. We are taken us back to early theologians like Irenaeus who took a more rounded view of what was accomplished in the atonement.
Shame is debilitating. It leads to depression or bitterness. There seems to be no easy solution. Life being what it is – a disorderly muddle very often – there is frequently a blurring of the line between shame and guilt. But a Gospel that offers a remedy to lawbreakers and has nothing to offer those who have been unbalanced or knocked down by the changes and chances of daily happenings, is not all that it claims to be. We must be careful lest our faith leads us to lose the common touch.
I recommend a visit to the Psephizo website.
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