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PaperclipPerfector  7mo ago (text post)   2744 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for October 15, 2023

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That’s pretty cool. I don’t see any red flags. Using psychotropics in a safe, communal, spiritual environment is probably the best use of them.

Internal Family Systems

I actually have a theory that there is an IFS theme throughout the Gospel and early Christianity. Obviously there’s the Father/Son dichotomy in Christianity which is essential to the religion. But then there are passages like these which I think hint to a psychodrama of household relations —

For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

This appears right after a parable on a “wise manager”, a spiritual metaphor regarding a person who both obeys (the Master) and commands (the servant), and then precedes an aphorism on “interpreting the present season”. It’s extremely doubtful that this has some worldly meaning, because it’s nestled in between two very allegorical or mystical sayings, and it uses too many words for a simple “whoever leaves family for my sake will be rewarded”. It’s reminiscent of the centurion who is praised for his faith, and who specifies that he obeys those above and commands those below (details which are absurd to include for an historical account, but necessary if an allegory). Notably this “character” is present for the Crucifixion. Lastly there’s an early Christian Shepherd of Hermas which talks about “households” in a way that can be metaphorical.

Woah, this is a fascinating take. Very interested now in reading the scriptures through this lens. Know any discussions on this topic?

I know Jung has written some about this, I mean really IFS is just the psychoanalysts' work rehashed for the modern generation.

Sadly I don’t know any discussions, but if you find one send my way! There might be something from the church fathers under the word oikonomia.

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