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
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/10205 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Koster, Cornette |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | other |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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