Thursday, July 9, 2009
moral transformation vs spiritual transformation
The development of morality is amazing to observe. As a youth pastor for 30 years, I had the opportunity to watch teens develop in this area over a 6 yr time period. Now working with Young adults who have committed felonies it is even more interesting to see the shifts and changes in moral development. As I have observed this development, I have discovered what appears to be two types of transformation. The first I will call moral transformation which I define as consistent behavior modification. The second is a spiritual transformation that seems to come from the inside out. The changes in behavior erupt from a change in the very character of the person. The first seems to be a matter of self -control the later seems to require less effort and is based more on belief than on self-control. My questions are- What really is the difference between moral and spiritual transformation? Do they both exist? Do they come from the same moral imprint found in humanity? Does religion enhance or hinder one or the other?
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Martilou--
ReplyDeleteI think this is really at the heart of the issue for me. Because, to be honest, I still have to deal with my experience of when I was a Christian. At times, I was pretty devout. And I was really into the 'spiritual disciplines' like prayer and fasting and meditation. And I think I really understand this difference between moral and spiritual transformation. I really experienced what Christians are always saying, that the real transformed life 'through Christ' is only lived 'by the Spirit' and not 'on your own strength.' I believed that. I experienced that. I had the sensation and impression that I had 'given up the self' and let 'Christ live through me.' And, I'd have to say that my life was changed, for the better, in the way that you describe it. It came from the inside out. It seemed to be based on a change of character. It required little effort and seemed to be based more on my beleifs than self-control. What am I now supposed to do with that, with my memory of that experience?
I think this is important because, so far, what I've been talking about on this blog is living a "decent, ethical life." But, as Matt pointed out, that's not a very high standard. It seems fairly easy to do, and it's usually in our best interest anyway. But if I want to talk about how to live a good life, however I describe that good life, am I going to be very successful by reading and writing about moral philosophy, trying to pull myself up by my bootstraps? What's the point in talking about this if morality is all about intuition, as I've been implying?
So, I think there really is something to 'spiritual transformation' and it seems that religions may be the only place to find robust traditions on this.
[Actually, my comment above only makes sense if the good life I want to live isn't just any description of a good life. It must be a life that is difficult for me to live. Something that doesn't come natural, but requires work (moral transformation), surrender (spiritual transformation), or both.]
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what brought me back to faith--my experience could not be denied. This is why I often make the point that there is a difference between christian religion and christian faith. The abundant life that Jesus came to give and live is very distorted in much of western christianity but I could not throw out the relationship because in my experience it was true and real. I am discovering a faith that is beyond religion and is not dependent on moral transformation or attending a service. It is rooted deep in Isaiah 68. In an odd way religion has corrupted christianity and the way back to to the life taught in the Gospels may require us to reject the very religion that first brought us to Christianity.
ReplyDeleteI had a thought today. Could it be that religion is man's attempt at moral transformation because it is too difficult to wrap his mind around spiritual transformation or at least two humbling?
ReplyDeleteMartilou--
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I understand you. You're saying that religion is a way for people to bring about moral transformation. And spiritual transformation is something else that can't be accomplished through religion. Is that right?
It seems to me that spiritual transformation is something that usually takes place within the context of religions. But you are probably making the distinction between religious organizations and spiritual communion with god. Am I wrong?
It seems to me that the way moral vs. spiritual transformation was originally defined in the post is problematic. Moral transformation is said to be "consistent moral behavior" whereas spiritual transformation comes from "the inside". As far as I can tell, the contrasts as laid out seems to turn on intentions and desires. One might behave morally without really wanting to whereas if one is "spiritually transformed" then one really wants to do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteBut in that case I wonder if most people would say that moral transformation as defined really implies moral understanding. Consider Kohlberg's theory of moral development. Children might behave morally for fear of punishment or because 'mom said so' but they do not really possess fully developed moral concepts (according to Kohlberg) until they are able to give the proper rationale or justifications for moral prohibitions, i.e. considerations of justice, fairness, etc. Someone who is behaving in a consistent moral way merely for fear of punishment doesn't seem to be moral at all. So it seems that mere moral behavior is not sufficient for us to say a person is moral. One's intentions, desires and motivations matter for moral concepts. But if that is so then I'm left wondering what the distinction between moral and spiritual is supposed to be?
Sub Sub -- I am making a distinction between religion and spiritual communion with God. Religion is methods and practices developed and perfected by man to be moral. When Jesus walked on earth is honored religion and its practices (somewhat) but had no need to be religious. True spiritual transformation is not found in religion of any kind. It is a newness of life. Is is a supernatural reconciliation of man to God. A return to the rightness that Adam had when he walked with God before the fall. I am beginning to see religion as man's attempt to be moral or find God without accepting the cost.
ReplyDeleteSilentio--
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for Martilou, but for me the distinction that I think is helpful here is pulling yourself up by your bootstraps as opposed to surrendering to something that's out of your control. The end behavior that is sought after should be the same, I think, but I think you may have the motivation part backwards. It's almost as if the attempt at moral transformation would be the process where you're concerned with intentions and motivations, and spiritual transformation is something that happens to you without so much concern about intentions and motivations. This is the way I understand transformation in Zen to come about, and I think there is a similar thing going on in Christian spirituality. The change occurs when you actually stop trying to change, stop trying to be good, and focus more on surrendering yourself to god. Whatever that really means. But I think it really happens, and I don't understand how.
Martilou--
I think you may be right that religion is now used as an attempt at being moral, or at least codifying and regulating our moral concepts and practices. Although according to Wright's book that doesn't appear to have originally been the case.
This idea of reconciliation with god, or communion with god, seems to be the place where spirituality is found, and I think it's interesting that you think religion in a way stifles this. And I am more sympathetic to, what you may call, mystical experience as the primary way to interact with god, as opposed to the idea that god has inspired the writing and collecting of an infallible book, or that there is a person who is in a direct spiritual line from St. Peter who is an infallible spokesperson for god.