If I can cause people to think about the value of
spirituality, and not settle for being emotionally stirred, something important
will have been accomplished.
I have long wondered if the joy that comes when singing
hymns in a group is spiritual or emotional. Similarly the delight listening as
a singer reaches the climax of a beautiful aria, is it emotional or spiritual?
In the past, I have denied the spirituality of hymn singing, because I
experience the same feeling listening to Puccini’s arias.
Spiritual leads to the equanimity of
individuals and the tranquility of the mind. On the other hand, emotional
feeling leads to the agitation of the mind and the disturbance caused in mental
balance. Since emotional is all about being worldly it affects the other
individuals as well. On the other hand, since spirituality is unworldly in
nature it is experienced by the individual without affected the others.[1]
Can music itself be a medium to spiritual serenity? According
to the definition above, since music affects others, it is emotional. For
instance, I find listening to “Musetta's Waltz” very moving, even though I know
the lyrics are about Musetta’s deception of an old paramour. For hymn singing
to be spiritual I believe the words and sentiment of the hymn would have to
meaningful.
Emotions provide a much better gateway
to the spiritual dimension of our lives than beliefs. Awe and wonder are
emotions particularly associated with spiritual experiences. Calm, joy, and
contentment are among other emotions that typify mature spirituality.[2]
While some of what Culliford says is true, I do not agree
with his first proposal that, “Emotions provide a much better gateway to the
spiritual dimension of our lives than beliefs.” It is the application of that
position that leads to confused Christians. People who begin their religious
walk with emotional fervor, may, when the novelty wears off, reject everything
to do with Christ. Belief is foundational to discipleship. “And without faith it is impossible to please
God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who seek him.”[3] A stern warning is given to those who
would act on impulse, only to give up when the initial excitement fades. “…it is impossible to restore again
to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the
heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness
of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen
away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are
holding him up to contempt.”[4] Emotions can be fickle and are always
fleeting, true commitment to Christ can only be based on belief.
The hallmark virtue of the
spiritually mature is humility. With true humility a person sees his own place
in relation to God and gives God the credit due His glory as they recognize any
virtues within themselves or any accomplishments they have achieved.[5]
Observing those men and women I considered spiritually
mature, I have to agree with the quote. The trademark of the people I have known
who fit this definition, is humility. I was intrigued reading one author who connected
emotional and spiritual maturity to the two great commandments. In summery she
wrote, emotional maturity is loving one’s neighbour, and spiritual maturity is
one’s relationship with God. The spiritual and emotional are two different
states of mind, the spirit is otherworldly and emotions are natural.
Spiritual maturity is expressed through wisdom and compassionate action in
the world. Spiritual intelligence is necessary for discernment in making
spiritual choices that contribute to psychological well-being and overall
healthy human development.[6]
I find that
Christian concepts of spirit and emotion are quite diverse and often
contradictory. There are two prevalent positions concerning spirituality. One, being
spiritual is following in the wake of God’s Spirit. The second is, our own
spirit controls and directs our lives. These definitions are complimentary not
opposites. There is however a subtle, but necessary difference that needs to be
explored. To guide our thinking scripture provides direction.
Live by the spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For what the flesh desires is opposed to the spirit, and what the spirit
desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to
prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the spirit, you are
not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication,
impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger,
quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like
these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will
not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the spirit is love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the spirit,
let us also be guided by the Spirit.[7]
This is not an
exact quote from the NRSV, as I have changed the capitalization of “Spirit” to
“spirit” in all but one of its occurrences. In this passage the spirit refers
to our personal spirit, and the Spirit refers to God’s Spirit. Paul contrasts
two dimensions of man that are at war with each other. The distinction Paul
made was between flesh and spirit, both elements exist within humans. They are two
separate driving forces. In the sixteenth century a priest wrote along similar
lines;
Even so, the more closely a thing grows attracted to one extreme, the
farther removed and withdrawn it becomes from the other; and, when it comes to
rest perfectly in the one, it will also have withdrawn itself perfectly from
the other. Wherefore there is a commonly quoted spiritual adage which says: Gustato spiritu, desipit omni caro.
Which signifies: After the taste and sweetness of the spirit have been
experienced, everything carnal is insipid. That is: No profit or enjoyment is
afforded by all the ways of the flesh, wherein is included all communication of
sense with the spiritual. And this is clear: for, if it is spirit, it has no
more to do with sense; and, if sense can comprehend it, it is no longer pure
spirit. For, the more can be known of it by natural apprehension and sense, the
less it has of spirit and of the supernatural, as has been explained above.[8]
It is here that
the difference between being spiritual or emotional is most difficult to
understand. From a secular source one definition is: “Spiritual = ability to
understand right from wrong. Emotional = ability to feel what you and others
are experiencing.”[9]
Emotions are strongly if not exclusively connected to worldly experience.
Spirituality is tied to our connection with God.
Spiritual and Emotional are two types
of mental behavioral changes in man that show some differences between them.
Emotions are nothing but feelings related to worldly life. On the other hand,
spiritual are feelings related to unearthly or unworldly life.[10]
From the
definitions, mostly secular, it appears that spirituality is not confined to
Christianity, and yet not denied to the Christian religion. Everyone is made up
of “spirit and soul
and body.”[11] Paul
identifies the competition within us as the conflict for dominance by our
spirit, or, our body. In other words there is conflict between our spirit and
our humanity. That being spiritual is not confined to Christianity can be
demonstrated by observing that, very bad people can sometimes do very good
things. A life directed by the
spirit manifests,
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control. “We are not human beings having a
spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”[12] All
people share the dichotomy of wills, the desire to serve, and the desire for
self-gratification. I believe that is why Paul concluded his discussion on the
topic saying, “let us also
be guided by the Spirit.” And, in another letter Paul stated, “The Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God…”[13] The Spirit of God aids our spirit.
If emotion is related to the world, which is the here and
now, it has nothing to do with spirituality. Then the good feeling attained
when singing hymns is a false façade. The conclusion of the quotation from the
“Ascent of Mount Carmel” suggests the same, “…if it is spirit, it has no more to do with sense; and, if sense can
comprehend it, it is no longer pure spirit. For, the more can be known of it by
natural apprehension and sense, the less it has of spirit and of the supernatural…”
When studying the difference between spirit and emotion, a question presents
itself; can emotionally charged rhetoric bring about spiritual change? A
principle of teaching has in the past been, that for a premise to be believed,
both stages of consciousness
must be convinced, intellectual
and emotional. The element left out of that equation is spiritual. I would
venture a guess that preaching has leant mostly toward being emotional. Parishioners
are not prepared to endure long intellectual theses. And, an emotional story is
far more entertaining, though maybe, considerably less instructive. A spiritual
discourse doesn’t have to be boring, nor does the message of God require a lot
of human embellishment. “…faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the
word of Christ.”[14] Specifically in that scripture, that
would be the narrative or catalogue of Jesus and teaching. Talking to someone
about Jesus is spiritual communication, relating scriptural accounts in your
own words is communicating the gospel. Paul
tells us that, the sword of
the Spirit, is the word of God.[15] The message about God and Jesus in
everyday language is powerful. Talking about experience as disciples of Jesus
is spiritual communication.
What is wrong with churches in America? Udo Middelmann, President of the
Francis A. Schaeffer Foundation, addresses this question by first examining the
strong roots Christianity had in the soil of colonial culture and the impact of
preaching and church outreach in that society. Rather than building on this
stable foundation, the church in recent years has sought to become more
attractive by watering down its message and by incorporating entertainment in
place of God-honoring worship. This has resulted in culture shaping the church;
whereas formerly, the church shaped culture.
Being a European, Middelmann
realizes what churches have given up to a greater degree than do many
Americans. He points out the theological emptiness that has marked the European
church scene for years. He thought America would be different. Upon examining
churches in various regions, he realized that here also ecclesiastical bodies
have forsaken a Biblical worldview and life view in order to become more
culturally relevant. Basic definitions of sin, repentance, and faith have been
abandoned. In so doing, these churches have failed to see that what they have
given up is the very sustenance that makes them attractive to the spiritually
hungry and thirsty.[16]
The last sentence is very important; what Churches have “given up is the very sustenance that makes
them attractive to the spiritually hungry and thirsty.” What is not said is of
equal importance; Churches have played to emotional whims in an effort to stem
the tide of people leaving. But, by doing so have intensified the problem. “Perhaps more than anything else, what people
want out of a church is a community of people who are experiencing God
together.”[17] My
interpretation of Packard’s statement is, people are seeking spiritual
community.
“…we too readily equate spirituality with feelings and emotional states. We
feel spiritual when our emotions are high, when in fact those emotional
feelings may have little to do with hearts that are attuned to God and lives
that truly reflect the path of our Savior. Emotions are an important part of
life, but a desired emotional state is never the sign of true faith or
spiritual maturity.”[18]
Individuals and
Churches need to seriously evaluate what is important. Hopefully, spiritualty
will trump emotions, so that believers can be encouraged in spiritual
community. A very difficult and stressful decision faces the Church.
Unfortunately in many cases a minister, pastor, or whatever the leader is
called; that guy –is judged by the number of people in the pews. When I first
bought my own vehicles, it was noted that I had thirteen cars in just a few
years. Wiser, older now, I have kept a vehicle for more than sixteen
years –I bought a vehicle of quality. Just in case you wonder what that has to
do with either spirit or emotion, let me tell you; it has to do with quality.
Many Church leaders look at attendance as the key figure for assessing success,
when they should be looking at the quality of spiritual life people in their
care enjoy. If the lure used to bring people into a Church is emotional, the
turnover of members will be as frequent as my cars when I thought I couldn’t
afford quality. Church leaders have to be more concerned about the spiritual
maturity of people, than providing entertainment.
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle
and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light.[19]
I don’t hear
Jesus offering improved emotional excitement. He offers his way of life as more
rewarding, than a frustrating struggle for material fulfillment. I’m not sure I
can fully delineate between spirit and emotion, but I can conclude that being
spiritual is more than being happy. I expect a Church to support my spirit, not
to entertain me. NetFlix is entertaining, a Church should offer more than that.
[1]
Difference Between Spiritual and Emotional. July 11, 2011 by Aron
[2]
Spirituality and Emotions, by Larry Culliford, Psychology Today, September 17,
2012
[3]
Heb 11:6
[4]
Heb 6:4-6
[5]
October 22, 2014, Allison Ricciardi,
[6]
http://jhp.sagepub.com What is Spiritual Intelligence? Frances Vaughan
[7]
Gal 5:16-25
[8]
Ascent of Mount Carmel, St. John of the Cross. Book Two, Chapter 17,
no. 5.
[9]
https://www.quora.com -Matt Maier
[10]
Difference Between Spiritual and Emotional. July 11, 2011 by Aron
[11]
1Th 5:23
[12]
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
[13]
Rom 8:16
[14]
Rom 10:17
[15]
Eph 6:17
[16]
http://chalcedon.edu
[17]
Josh Packard, Church Refugees, chapter 2.
[18]
Spirituality and Emotions, by Dennis
P. Hollinger, Ph.D. C.S. Lewis institute
[19]
Mat 11:28-30
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