The theme in this study is: Communicative channeling of repressed anger in the Christian life: A pastoral study. The focus is on the pastoral guidance through communicative channeling of the person who struggles with the destructive effects of repressed anger, including hidden forms of expression and denial of anger. From the interpretive task which consists of perspectives on anger from adjacent sciences (Chap. 2) the basic function of anger, as a starting point, is shown as psychological survival. Due to the functioning of the brain, anger as an emotion is experienced in the subconscious. Anger must be named and identified in order to accept responsibility for behaviour. Only when responsibility regarding behaviour is accepted can anger be expressed within the will of God. From the empirical research (Chap. 3) information was obtained by means of a case study where a co-worker is involved. Relevant information regarding the family of origin was obtained and the processing thereof is outlined in a geneagram. Additional information relating to what can be regarded as her current family was acquired. The tremendous void left when basic needs are not met, was identified. The fact that the co-worker was able to express repressed anger without prejudice was continuously conducive to the therapeutic process. This resulted in a decrease in destructive discharges of anger. The normative task provides the opportunity for base theoretical research (Chap. 4) where it is clear that Scripture does not encourage one to be without anger as such. Anger provides the opportunity to promote ‘life’, which implies that the value of anger should be clearly realised, especially from the pastorate. On the other hand, Scripture clearly provides warnings that anger makes people vulnerable to sin. Consequently, clear guidelines regarding anger and around expression of anger is spelled out for man created in the image of God. From a pastoral approach to the emotion of anger (Chap. 5), it is clearly evident that without anger there really can be no moral concern, which would make the word a terrrible place. Love, which is regarded as the greatest commandment from the Christian context, requires empathy and forgiveness. Both empathy and forgiveness is however not a possibility in the presence of anger. With regard to the pragmatic task a number of practice theoretical guidelines was formulated regarding the emotion of anger (Chap. 6). From this it is clear that healing can only be done through God’s Word, which is His truth. The act of “listening to anger” can be regarded as the primary therapeutic principle in respect of anger. Man was created with the ability to think, which makes choices expected – choices that could lead to True Life. The most important question that may be asked to the counsellee is: “What do you choose, death or true life?” / PhD (Pastoral studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The theme in this study is: Communicative channeling of repressed anger in the Christian life: A pastoral study. The focus is on the pastoral guidance through communicative channeling of the person who struggles with the destructive effects of repressed anger, including hidden forms of expression and denial of anger. From the interpretive task which consists of perspectives on anger from adjacent sciences (Chap. 2) the basic function of anger, as a starting point, is shown as psychological survival. Due to the functioning of the brain, anger as an emotion is experienced in the subconscious. Anger must be named and identified in order to accept responsibility for behaviour. Only when responsibility regarding behaviour is accepted can anger be expressed within the will of God. From the empirical research (Chap. 3) information was obtained by means of a case study where a co-worker is involved. Relevant information regarding the family of origin was obtained and the processing thereof is outlined in a geneagram. Additional information relating to what can be regarded as her current family was acquired. The tremendous void left when basic needs are not met, was identified. The fact that the co-worker was able to express repressed anger without prejudice was continuously conducive to the therapeutic process. This resulted in a decrease in destructive discharges of anger. The normative task provides the opportunity for base theoretical research (Chap. 4) where it is clear that Scripture does not encourage one to be without anger as such. Anger provides the opportunity to promote ‘life’, which implies that the value of anger should be clearly realised, especially from the pastorate. On the other hand, Scripture clearly provides warnings that anger makes people vulnerable to sin. Consequently, clear guidelines regarding anger and around expression of anger is spelled out for man created in the image of God. From a pastoral approach to the emotion of anger (Chap. 5), it is clearly evident that without anger there really can be no moral concern, which would make the word a terrrible place. Love, which is regarded as the greatest commandment from the Christian context, requires empathy and forgiveness. Both empathy and forgiveness is however not a possibility in the presence of anger. With regard to the pragmatic task a number of practice theoretical guidelines was formulated regarding the emotion of anger (Chap. 6). From this it is clear that healing can only be done through God’s Word, which is His truth. The act of “listening to anger” can be regarded as the primary therapeutic principle in respect of anger. Man was created with the ability to think, which makes choices expected – choices that could lead to True Life. The most important question that may be asked to the counsellee is: “What do you choose, death or true life?” / PhD (Pastoral studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013