Image via WikipediaThe Doctrine of GodFor some Christians the idea of self-esteem, especially the valuing of high self-esteem, is offensive. They find it difficult to square this concept with Jesus, call for self-denial and his condemnation of pride and the sinfulness of persons. Frank Stagg has pointed out that embedded deeply within the Old and New Testaments are two primary truths that appear to be contradictory: denial of self and affirmation of self. "Within this polarity alone is there salvation, authentic existence, fulfillment as a human being."
What are the theological touchstones for self-esteem? The discussion that follows can be only suggestive, given the limitations of space. The Christian community awaits some creative scholar to explicate a theology of self-esteem.
The Doctrine of God
The most important benchmark for a theology of self-esteem is the very existence and nature of God. He is the great valuer of each person. Personal worth is ultimately rooted in the God of creation and redemption. Self-esteem apart from God can be shattered by the harsh realities of life - severe illness, unemployment, old age, failure, and rejection. The eternal validation for humanity's worth is the caring God of the universe.
The Doctrine of Creation
When God made humans, he created them as worthy beings. Indeed, according to the writers of Genesis (1;26-27), humankind is made in the "image of God." Claus Westermann states that to be human is to bear the image of God. Since God created humanity in his own image, each person is endowed with personal worth and dignity.
Of all God's creatures, humans have a unique position. Genesis tells us that God's intention, when he created humankind in his own image, was that they should rule over the earth and the animals. The human community is responsible for the stewardship of the world. Human worth and value are found in the kingly responsibility that persons have before God and over creation.
A person is born into human community through the procreative act of a man and a woman. The image of God belongs to man and woman as human community rather than to each separately. As husband and wife love each other, and as father and mother care for a child, self-esteem takes shape and is nurtured in personal life. Self-esteem is not an act of the will; it is the product of nurturing, caring relationships. God created human beings as social creatures, and through social existence the quality of human life is shaped.
What are the theological touchstones for self-esteem? The discussion that follows can be only suggestive, given the limitations of space. The Christian community awaits some creative scholar to explicate a theology of self-esteem.
The Doctrine of God
The most important benchmark for a theology of self-esteem is the very existence and nature of God. He is the great valuer of each person. Personal worth is ultimately rooted in the God of creation and redemption. Self-esteem apart from God can be shattered by the harsh realities of life - severe illness, unemployment, old age, failure, and rejection. The eternal validation for humanity's worth is the caring God of the universe.
The Doctrine of Creation
When God made humans, he created them as worthy beings. Indeed, according to the writers of Genesis (1;26-27), humankind is made in the "image of God." Claus Westermann states that to be human is to bear the image of God. Since God created humanity in his own image, each person is endowed with personal worth and dignity.
Of all God's creatures, humans have a unique position. Genesis tells us that God's intention, when he created humankind in his own image, was that they should rule over the earth and the animals. The human community is responsible for the stewardship of the world. Human worth and value are found in the kingly responsibility that persons have before God and over creation.
A person is born into human community through the procreative act of a man and a woman. The image of God belongs to man and woman as human community rather than to each separately. As husband and wife love each other, and as father and mother care for a child, self-esteem takes shape and is nurtured in personal life. Self-esteem is not an act of the will; it is the product of nurturing, caring relationships. God created human beings as social creatures, and through social existence the quality of human life is shaped.
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