Recently I was listening to Internet Monk in an interview with Steve Brown Etcetera and he commented that his particular “spiritual temperament” was more in line with so-and-so. His comment really struck me. I love that idea of spiritual temperament. I have always wondered about the grouping of denominations and sects in relation to personality types. It would be so cool to see if there were any correlation between the two. But since personality types are limited (as all categories are) by the complexity of human nature, I’m digging adding in to my theory the spiritual temperament idea.
Think about it. If we understood our spiritual temperaments we could avoid a lot of self-righteous posturing by realizing that many things aren’t inherently wrong or right, they are just what we PREFER due to our natural disposition. For example, all those style issues like HOW to pray, How to worship, How to cast out demons, How to evangelize (or not), How to love…you get the idea.
I know I am dreaming, because many people don’t want to know themselves. They would rather stay in ignorance and think that their preferences are law–specifically God’s law. Oh well. It was a nice idea anyway.
Those of you who know your temperament, stay with me and keep reading. Let me know your thoughts and spur me on to think in different ways. I appreciate you!
July 5, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Hmmm, I had a very similar thought when I discovered the Presbyterian church: Here are a lot of people like me…thoughtful, intellectual, introverted, etc. I actually began to wonder if it was healthy for us Christians to live this way–choosing our denomination by what appeals to our personality or temperament. Can’t say I have answered that question satisfactorily, since I’m still very comfortable in that denomination. But I do like learning from friends in other, more charismatic, circles. (Perhaps it’s an outlet for my free-spirited artist side!)
July 7, 2008 at 6:29 am
Hee, hee, corrie. that’s funny. I think, luckily, there’s still enough difference w/in the church to keep us on our toes. But yeah, I’d like to see, say, more socioeconomic/racial/ethnic difference…which, culturally, might produce more “temperament” difference?
ANd yes, M, I agree wholeheartedly. I think I need to work on being okay with my own temperament and not yearning after others’.
July 8, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Yeah, I think accepting our temperament is important. And learning from those that are different–actually seeking that out since we tend to gravitate toward like-minded, like-hearted people–is super important. I love expanding my limited perspective with others’ wisdom. And then, there are those times when they need to learn from us, too!