Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Power of Being Vulnerable in Christian Soul Care: Common Humanity and Humility

  • Psychological Exploration
  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Soul caregivers often hesitate to be vulnerable in their pastoral practices. Jesus, however, embraced his vulnerabilities as a human to redeem humanity even though he was the Son of God. This paper first explores the dynamics of shame and power that make soul caregivers reluctant to accept their vulnerabilities and then describes the contributions of sharing caregiver’s vulnerabilities in a soul care practice. This article argues that being vulnerable allows a soul caregiver to imitate Jesus by sharing in the client’s common humanity, initiating an authentic relationship between the client and the soul caregiver; it is also a practice of humility, inviting God’s cure in soul care. This study proposes the necessity of embracing vulnerability in soul care ministry, instead of hiding it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Brown (2012) points out that weakness is considered as a negative quality of humanity because its lexical definition involves “inability.” However, weakness, like vulnerability, is not good or bad in the Christian scheme. Rather, it is a genuine experience of finite human beings. (e.g., 2 Corinthians 12:7–10).

  2. VanGemeren (1996) explains that creation, including human beings, is not marked by perfection, but it is suitable for its purpose. The new creation will be perfect, holy, and characterized by the presence of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  3. Vulnerability itself is not a synonym for authenticity. However, as caregivers honestly disclose their limitations, weakness, or wounds, care receivers can see that the caregivers are genuine in relationship and therefore can be also authentic in sharing mutual trust and empathy. In this sense, exposing vulnerability can be a part of authentic relationship. At this point, the practice of being vulnerable is not the spiritual exhibitionism that often says, “I suffer from the same depression, confusion and anxiety as you do, so don’t worry.” Making one’s vulnerabilities a source of soul care does not call for a sharing of superficial personal pains but for a constant willingness to see one’s own pain and suffering as rising from the depth of the human condition which all men share (Nouwen 2005, p. 80).

  4. Schlauch (1990) explains that a person experience the self-object as at once a separated self and as a self with whom one is internally connected.

  5. Heinz Kohut and Carl Rogers describe empathy as the sense of the client’s private world as if it were one’s own, but without losing the ‘as if’ quality.” Their definitions assume the self in other. (Kohut 1980, p. 705, Rogers 1995, p. 140).

  6. For Rogers (1995), Christian discipline or instruction can be a primary example of expecting an ideal self, and thus, it judges people’s experience and act according to rules and evaluation of authority figures. He said, “[T]rue empathy is always free of any evaluative or diagnostic quality.” Providing the empathic acceptance without judgment is called “unconditional positive regard.” (p. 154).

  7. Even though a fully functioning individual’s self-fulfillment for Rogers would be the person’s free and loving expressions, such as charity and kindness, all the expressions depend on the person’s subjective evaluations and judgments about a given circumstance. (Jones and Butman 1991, p. 258).

  8. Powlison (2003) states, “God has blessed [us] because his Son fulfilled the conditions [we] could never achieve. Contrary to what [we] deserve, he loves [us]. And now [we] can begin to change, not to earn love, but because [we]’ve already received it.” In the assurance of faith that God’s contraconditional love will forgive the person and stifle sin, a soul caregiver can discern and confront the person’s sinful desires and acts according to the Bible, and exhort repentance and responsibility toward God’s good will (p. 169–70).

  9. Johnson (2007) puts it, “The infinitely joyful God is alone capable of supplying human blessedness, because he alone is filled with overflowing blessedness. And he himself is inclined to do so, because his blessedness consists in part in perfect compassion toward humans, including his design to rescue them from their suffering and brokenness and their sin and condemnation. (p. 43). To understand how God is good for the soul in detail, see also Johnson (2003, March 1).

References

  • Bavinck, H. (2011). The Servant Savior: Christ's Humiliation. In J. Bolt (Ed.), Reformed dogmatics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baxter, R. (1656). The Reformed pastor. Edinburgh, UK: T. Ward & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beale, G. K. (2008). We become what we worship: A biblical theology of idolatry. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berkhof, L. (1996). Systematic theology. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Block, A. J. (1993). Beware of the VIP syndrome. CHEST Editorials, 104(4), 989.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonhoeffer, D. (1953). Letters and papers from prison. London, UK: Collins Fontana Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. (2006). Shame resilience theory: A grounded theory study on women and shame. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 87(1), 43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. (2012). Daring greatly: How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead. New York, NY: Gotham Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Browning, D. S. (2004). Religious thought and the modern psychologies (2nd ed.). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvin, J. (2001). Calvin: Institutes of the Christian religion (F. L. Battles, Trans.). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

  • Craft, B. H., & Brown, H. (1994). Personal Relationships and Sexuality. In B. H. Craft (Ed.), Practical issues in sexuality and learning disabilities (pp. 1–22). London, UK: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crocker, J., Luhtanen, R. K., & Cooper, M. L. (2003a). Contingencies of self-worth in college students: Theory and measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(5), 894–908.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crocker, J., Quinn, D. M., Karpinski, A., & Chase, S. K. (2003b). When grades determine self-worth: Consequences of contingent self-worth for male and female engineering and psychology majors. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(3), 507–516.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dittes, J. E. (1999). Pastoral counseling: The basics. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, M. M. (1983). Analysis of transference, volume I: Theory and technique. Madison, CT: International Universities Press Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gruenewald, T. L., Kemeny, M. E., Aziz, N., & Fahey, J. L. (2004). Acute threat to the social self: Shame, social self-esteem, and cortisol activity. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66(6), 915–924.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacoby, M. (1994). Shame and the origins of self-esteem: A Jungian Approach. London, UK: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, W. (1984). Psychology: The briefer course. Boston, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, E. L. (2003). How God is good for the soul. (Christian spirituality and mental health). Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 22(1), 78–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, E. L. (2007). Foundations for soul care: A Christian psychology proposal. Downers Grove, IL.: InterVarsity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, S. L., & Butman, R. E. (1991). Modern psychotherapies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kempis, T. à. (2003). The Imitation of Christ (A. Croft & H. Bolton, Trans.). Mineola, NY: Dover Publications.

  • Kohut, H. (1980). In P. H. Ornstein (Ed.) The search for the self. Selected writings of Heinz Kohut (Vol. 1, pp. 1950–1978). New York, NY: International Universities Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kross, E., Berman, M. G., Mischel, W., Smith, E. E., & Wager, T. D. (2011). Social rejection shares somatosensory representations with physical pain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108(15), 6270–6275.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lester, D. (1997). The role of shame in suicide. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 27(4), 352–361.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mahaney, C. J. (2007). Pastor’s priorities: Watch your life and doctrine. In M. Dever (Ed.), Preaching the cross (pp. 117–136). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandell, D. (2008). Power, care and vulnerability: Considering use of self in child welfare work. Journal of Social Work Practice, 22(2), 235–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, M. J., & Wells, D. (1990). On being “attractive” with resistant clients. The Journal of Humanistic Education and Development, 29(2), 86–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirow, R. (2003). The power of vulnerability. Learning Disability Practice, 6(10), 36–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moradi, B., Dirks, D., & Matteson, A. V. (2005). Roles of sexual objectification experiences and internalization of standards of beauty in eating disorder symptomatology: A test and extension of objectification theory. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(3), 420–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Natiello, P. (2001). The person-centred approach: A passionate presence. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nouwen, H. J. M. (2005). The wounded healer. In R. C. Dykstra (Ed.), Image of pastoral care: Classic readings (pp. 76–84). St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor, L. E., Berry, J. W., Inaba, D., Weiss, J., & Morrison, A. (1994). Shame, guilt, and depression in men and women in recovery from addiction. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 11(6), 503–510.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oden, T. (1983). Pastoral theology: Essentials of ministry. San Francisco, CA: HarperOne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oppenheimer, M. (2003). Prayerful vulnerability: Sarah Coakley reconstructs feminism. The Christian Century, 120(13), 25–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pembroke, N. (2002). The art of listening dialogue, shame, and pastoral care. London; New York; Grand Rapids, MI: T & T Clark/Handsel Press; William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierre, J. P. (2010). “Trust in the lord with all your heart”: The centrality of faith in Christ to the restoration of human functioning. (Ph.D. diss.). The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  • Powlison, D. (2003). Seeing with new eyes: Counseling and the human condition through the lens of Scripture (pp. 169–170). Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Pub.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, T. E. (2008). Vulnerable communion: A theology of disability and hospitality. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, C. R. (1978). Carl Rogers on personal power: Inner strength and its revolutionary impact (psychology/self-help). London: Trans-Atlantic Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, C. R. (1995). A way of being. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlauch, C. R. (1990). Empathy as the essence of pastoral psychotherapy. The Journal of Pastoral Care, 44(1), 3–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlauch, C. R. (1995). Faithful companioning: How pastoral counseling heals. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiner, T. R. (1998). Romans. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepelak, N. J. (1987). The role of self-explanations and self-evaluations in legitimating inequality. American Sociological Review, 52(4), 495–503.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheras, P. (2010). Your child: Bully or victim?. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stump, E. (2010). Wandering in darkness: Narrative and the problem of suffering. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Swinton, J. (2007). Raging with compassion: Pastoral responses to the problem of evil. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tangney, J. P., Wagner, P., Fletcher, C., & Gramszow, R. (1992). Shamed into anger? The relation of shame and guilt to anger and self-reported aggression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62(4), 669–675.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thoennes, D. (2008). Keeping it real: Research findings on authentic community. Christian Education Journal, 5(1), 76–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripp, P. D. (2002). Instruments in the Redeemer’s hands: People in need of change helping people in need of change. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Pub.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twist, L. (2006). The soul of money: Reclaiming the wealth of our inner resources (Reprint ed.). New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Vliet, K. J. (2008). Shame and resilience in adulthood: A grounded theory study. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(2), 233–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • VanGemeren, W. (1996). The progress of redemption: The story of salvation from creation to the New Jerusalem. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanhoozer, K. J. (2012). Remythologizing theology divine action, passion, and authorship. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead, A. N. (1979). Process and reality (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yelsma, P., Brown, N. M., & Elison, J. (2002). Shame-focused coping styles and their associations with self-esteem. Psychological Reports, 90(3c), 1179–1189.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zachman, R. C. (1993). The assurance of faith: Conscience in the theology of Martin Luther and John Calvin. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaner, R. M. (2006). The phenomenon of vulnerability in clinical encounters. Human Studies, 29(3), 283–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2825 Lexington Rd., Louisville, KY, 40280, USA

    Kyubo Kim

Authors
  1. Kyubo Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kyubo Kim.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kim, K. The Power of Being Vulnerable in Christian Soul Care: Common Humanity and Humility. J Relig Health 56, 355–369 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0294-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0294-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation