The truly religious person . . . knows that God has brought all sorts of strange and inconceivable things to pass and seeks in the most curious ways to enter a [person's] heart. He therefore senses in everything the unseen presence of the divine will. This is what I mean by "unprejudiced objectivity." It is a moral achievement on the part of the doctor who ought not to let himself be repelled by sickness and corruption. We cannot change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate; it oppresses. I am the oppressor of the person I condemn, not his friend and fellow sufferer. I do not mean in the least to say that we must never pass judgment when we desire to help and improve. But if the doctor wishes to help a human being, he must be able to accept him as he is. And he can do this in reality only when he has already seen and accepted himself as he is.

Perhaps this sounds very simple, but simple things are always the most difficult. In actual life it requires the greatest art to be simple, and so acceptance of oneself is the essence of the moral problem and the acid test of one's whole outlook on life. That I feed the beggar, that I forgive an insult, that I love my enemy in the name of Christ - all these are undoubtedly great virtues. What I do unto the least of my brethren, that I do unto Christ. But what if I should discover that the least among them all, the poorest of all beggars, the most impudent of all offenders, yea the very fiend himself - that these are within me, and that I myself stand in need of my own kindness, that I myself am the enemy who must be loved - what then? Then, as a rule, the whole truth of Christianity is reversed: there is no more talk of love and long-suffering; we say to the brother within us, "Raca," and condemn and rage against ourselves. We hide him from the world; we deny ever having met this least among the lowly in ourselves, and had it been God himself who drew near to us in this despicable form, we should have denied him a thousand times before a single **** had crowed.

i'm not even sure what point you're trying to make, but your vocabulary is excellent sir :)

Creativesoul,

I depart from Carl Jung's judgements due to a genuine distaste for his positions, nevertheless, he is a notable and highly regarded intellectual.

His first comment in your quote is not an accurate description of the implied content and character of a truly devout Christian, if that is his implication. It appears so to me.

" The truly religious person...........seeks in the most curious ways to enter a [person's] heart."


On the surface, it appears innocuous as a descriptive narrative concerning Christian behavior.

But in reality, displays his lack of understanding of the Word to find entrance into the human heart, however it may find itself being delivered.

Often, the message is rejected due to a judgement about the messenger.

This is not a necessary misunderstanding about the Word, but a common one, indeed.

The Word itself enters the soul and spirit where ever and whenever encountered, and it's invasiveness is incumbent upon it without qualification.

The voracity and power of the Word testifies of itself, and accomplishes the same feat in a believer's soul and spirit as well and more times than not, even more pronounced an invasion to the believer's heart.

This is the nature of the Word of God itself when it is likened to a "double-edged sword." It cuts both ways, but also heals what it cuts.

This is of significant nuisance to any and all if skepticism is showing itself to one's own heart.

Just thought you might find my perspective of Jung's opening statement interesting.

No judgements from me, but a curious insight nonetheless.

peace, my friend.









I would add in edit, that'raca' by translation means 'O Empty One' and Matthew wrote in chapter 5:22, (quoting Jesus himself) But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of the judgement : and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council : But whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hellfire.

This is the only time this word is ever mentioned in the entirity of the Holy Bible

wouldee:

Inherently Jung's position is always looking inward, and this is reflected in this excerpt from his seminar for the Guild for Pastoral Psychology, London...

I actually find the Word in many places and define it in much same way you have just done...



cranium:

Those are not my words my friend, they are of Carl Jung...