©
1999 James A. Fowler
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HUMAN BEHAVIOR
I. Inadequate attempts to evaluate or explain human behavior
A. Physiological explanations
1. Hippocrates
- 5th century B.C., predominate body fluids (humours)
2. Genetic
determinism of DNA chemicals
B. Psychological explanations
1. Neuroses
and psychoses within the psyche
2. Development
of addictive, compulsive tendencies
C. Spiritual explanations
1. "Devil
made me do it; I'm not responsible"
2. Demonology
explanation of aberrant behavior
D. Nature/nurture dichotomy; biology
vs. sociology
1. complicated
by ambiguity of "nature"
a.
condition of birth
b.
inherence of essence or constitution
c.
naturalistic world-view of "Mother Nature" as creative
and controlling force
d.
Biblical usage of phusis - spiritual nature of spiritual
personage - cf. Eph. 2:3; II Pet. 1:4
2. suggested
clarification
a.
congenital - condition one is born with - born that way!
b.
conjunctive - joined together with - developed that way!
II. A more comprehensive evaluation of human behavior
A. Spiritual
1. Spirituo-congenital
behavioral explanations
a.
inherent spiritual potential for good or evil
b.
diabolic spiritual source; spiritual depravity
2. Spirituo-conjunctive
behavioral explanations
a.
demonic possession or oppression
b.
assistance of the gods
B. Psychological
1. Psycho-congenital
behavioral explanations
a.
hereditary psychological proclivities
b.
religious explanation of "sin-nature" or "flesh"
2. Psycho-conjunctive
behavioral explanations
a.
victimization by the circumstances
b.
family dynamics of dysfunction
C. Physiological
1. Physio-congenital
behavioral explanations
a.
disease, defect, deficiency - chemical, neurological
b.
genetic proclivity in DNA
2.
Physio-conjunctive behavioral explanations
a.
acquired diseases or medical conditions
b.
developed cravings, dependencies, addictions
D. Behavioral determinism and human responsibility
1. Are
these explanations behaviorally determinative?
2. Is there
human responsibility within freedom of choice?
III. Developing a Biblical explanation of human behavior
A. Spirituo-congenital condition of
spiritual depravity
1. diabolic
spirit works in sons of disobedience - Eph. 2:2,3
2. all
men "made sinners" in spiritual identity - Rom. 5:19
3. spiritually
dead - Eph. 2:1,5
4. determinism
of evil character, but not specific behaviors
a.
"slaves of sin" - Jn. 8:34,35; Rom. 6:6; Gal. 4:8
b.
"bondage of iniquity" - Acts 8:23
5. possibility
of spirituo-conjunctive demonism
B. Psycho-configuration of behavior patterns
1. question
of psycho-congenital behavioral proclivities
2. acceptance
of psycho-conjunctive social and environmental factors
3. God-given
desires patterned in selfishness and sinfulness
a.
Biblical usage of "flesh" - Gal. 5:16, 19-21, 24; Eph.
2:3; Rom. 13:14; I Pet. 2:11
b.
development of personality patterns - S.E.L.F.
C. Physio-conveyance of character within
behavior
1. acceptance
of physio-congenital conditions
2. acceptance
of physio-conjunctive conditions
3. derivation
of spiritual character in human behavior
a.
behavioral acts are amoral in themselves
b.
man does not self-generate character - good or evil
4. "all
have sinned, and come short of glory of God" - Rom. 3:23
5. "deeds
of the flesh" - Gal. 5:19-21
6. external
patterns of behavior reinforce internal patterns
D. Spirituo-conversion of mankind made
available by God in Jesus Christ
1. spiritual
exchange - Acts 26:18; I Cor. 2:12; I Jn. 4:6
2. spiritual
regeneration - Jn. 3:1-6; Titus 3:5
E. Psycho-configuration of behavior patterns
1. "flesh"
is not eradicated or instantaneously removed
a.
no divine determinism of behavioral perfectionism
b.
constant inner behavioral conflict - Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:14-25
c.
genuine freedom - Jn 8:32,36; Gal. 5:1,13
2. reconfiguration
of behavioral patterns
a.
Spirit can overcome and supersede "flesh" - Rom. 8:1-11;
Gal. 5:16; I Jn. 4:4
b.
lifetime process of sanctification
F. Physio-conveyance of character within
human behavior
1. no behavioral
perfectionism - I Jn. 1:8
2. "fruit
of the Spirit" - Gal. 5:22,23
IV. Correlation of I Corinthians 6:9-11
A. "Such were some of you"
1. designated
by such repetitive and recurrent behavior patterns
2. not
deterministically, but personally responsible
B. "but you were...
1. "washed"
- spiritual washing of regeneration - Titus 3:5
2. "sanctified"
- made holy by presence of Holy One
3. "justified"
- made righteous by presence of Righteous One
C. changed behavior attributed to
1. spiritual
conversion and exchange
2. spiritual
character of God conveyed in behavior
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