EMCAPP Journal 2

117 Forum Since Bultmann‘s introduction in a theology of the New Testament (1958) the term conscience (as the conscience, the awareness of oneself) has become a main focus in un- derstanding faith as a decision taking attitude in human existence regarding god‘s revelation. Conscience there- fore means an awareness of guilt (or the possibility of becoming guilty) as well as an awareness of an intrinsic meaning in life. The first – in the perspective of refor- mational thinkers – is a prerequisite for an accurate un- derstanding of grace as the center of redemption and of spiritual life according to the New Testament. The second aspect is more important for the individual‘s general sa- tisfaction in life – especially in overcoming stressful life- events like loss and injury. Both, the taking of personal responsibility for ones ini- quities and the capability of giving intrinsic meaning to things in life – even the harsh ones - , are very important for counselling as well as for christian psychology and psychotherapy. According to Victor Frankl the consci- ence in it‘s function as a prerequisite for ultimate respon- sibility is an element of personal consistency and conti- nuity. Only individuals who can be held responsible for their acting, thinking and speaking appear as persons in a full sense. So conscience must be a basic approach to per- sonal development and change. Being aware of ones own responsibility in a specific situation in life is the starting point of every meaningful action in the process of trans- formation. Meaning itself is a crucial aspect of human life. Only things that provide meaning for the human consciousness can be considered as reasonable and con- sistent for what is called the individual self. The integrity of the latter is founded in meaningful thoughts, feelings and actions. So any loss of integrity of self (as far as I can see this is the main reason for individuals searching help with a professional psychotherapist) is a loss of meaning and therefore a menacing state of mind for any person. Help often begins with the understanding of responsibili- ty and out of this handles the question of guilt and finally comes to a search for meaning. Guilt is a main topic of Christian counselling and there- fore a main focus of Christian psychology. It has to be separated from what Christian traditions calls sin. The latter means a metaphysical distortion between god and man that has been overcome by grace in the redeeming act of Jesus Christ. What stays as a remaining quantity is the feeling of guilt caused by (what Luther calls) a dis- comforted conscience. So conscience also stands for the human need of com- fort, which must be the focus of counselling as well as of psychotherapy – on the background of a proclamation of grace. Faith means the actual provision of grace for the individual in its ultimate responsibility. As a provider of meaning for human consciousness the function of conscience is also closely related to human will as the action guiding authority. Relating to Harry Frankfurt ( Drew University) the will can be considered as a two level system: first the level of immediate action (will in action) and second the level of valuating and ap- praising ones action. The latter is a kind of will for value strongly connected with the conscience as the keeper of meaning for the own self in human consciousness (and unconsciousness). Therefore the forming of a functioning conscience is crucial for any will and value guided human acting in overcoming severe distortions between will in action and will as valuation and appraisal of action (as i.e. addiction). Conscience is what human consciousness informed by human spirit intends to create and to preserve in order to protect the entity and integrity of the own self in it‘s perilous journey through life. As psychologists, psycho- therapists and counsellors we will therefore have to pro- vide any support possible to save and to strengthen the functions and contents of the individual conscience. Roland Mahler, Dr., Theologist, Psychologist MSc, Psychotherapist SPV, Director of ICPTP- Switzerland, he ist the author of „Gewissen und Gewissensbildung in der Psychotherapie“ (Conscience and For- ming of Conscience in Psychotherapy) VS Ver- lag für Sozialwissen- schaften: 2009 icptp@bluewin.ch The fundamental meaning of conscience in Christian Psychology A very short Survey of Conscience, Faith and Will in Christian Psychology and Psychotherapy

EMCAPP Journal 2

Pages