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theory of personality.

The following was written with an obvious audience in mind ... not a bad start to a long-winded paper on my personal convictions and theories going into a person-centered career.

       "Keith Puffer writes, “Humans are created beings fashioned into God’s image.  Fallen with a sinful nature and striving to find meaning, people are also redeemable, dwellable by God’s Spirit, and transformable for God’s purposes.”  While this all-encompassing statement does not directly address specific aspects of human nature, I believe it to be a True, and fundamental place to start when considering human nature.  My own theory of personality is ever-changing.  The more I interact with people and reflect on what others have written, the more I learn and incorporate into my assumptions of human nature.  I believe there are multiple facets to human nature, giving a holistic perspective of character and personality.  Additionally, in the heart of every person are a set of basic needs that dictate the majority of our interactions and relationships.  As a result of our God-given ability to chose things in life, we are responsible for our actions.
       
       "Human beings are made to function in multiple different dimensions.  We were made physical beings with bodies to use and honour.  We were given brains to think and process concrete and abstract concepts.  Each person maintains the capability and desire to be in relationship with others.  We were given a soul and spirit with which we are able to interact with our Creator and draws everything together to function in a balanced unison.  Furthermore, each person to varying degrees has a similar set of needs.  We all long to love and be loved (security).  In an unstable world, we all desire to feel significant, to have meaning to our lives and to be chosen by others.  In a fallen world, we need hope to sustain us, to grow and change us through the grace of forgiveness.

      "While we were born into a fallen, sinful world, we maintain the ability to take responsibility for our own actions and attitudes.  In this way, we have the freedom to choose and define ourselves with honesty and authenticity.  For Christians, Christ defines our existence.  Much of Person-Centered therapies emphasize an ecclesiastical view on human nature: life on this earth is meaningless and empty, therefore human nature strives to find hope and meaning.  Life of salvation in Jesus Christ is the ultimate solution to a life of emptiness.  As Adler theorized, I believe an individual’s basic approach to life is set at a young age, but through the redemptive Spirit of Christ we are able to change and choose new goals and ways of thinking as we grow.  In the core of every person is a true desire to grow to be a better person."

to be continued.... eventually.

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