Matthew To Maslow
Posted: August 6th, 2008, 1:12 am
HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #124g Written 26JUL08 http://groups.msn.com/AHealingShelter/welcome.msnw
Spiritual Survival: Part Seven—Matthew To Maslow
by rev dave c
Matthew 6:5 "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9 "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 'Give us this day our daily bread. 12 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen' (NASV).
In the early 1970’s I was introduced to the basic teachings of the American educational psychologist, Abraham Maslow (April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970). Maslow was unique in his approach to research in that he did not target society’s abnormal members as the subject of his studies as did most psychologists/psychiatrists from Freud on. Rather, he chose those college students whom he felt were the best and the brightest of our culture. He is best remembered for the model of his life’s work known as “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”. As a freshman of almost 40 years ago, I was taught that this hierarchy consisted of Food-Shelter-Reproduction as the most basic of needs. As these immediate requirements are met, an individual then becomes involved in the higher aspects of existence as expressed through Self Realization and then Self Actualization.
Decades later I learned that Abraham Maslow tinkered with his hierarchy until his death as he continued to observe people and to contemplate the motivators and aspirations of humanity at large and as represented by his own head and heart. As per a summary titled “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” (http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/r ... aslow.html), the current model of his theory is that of a triangle laterally divided into three categories of progressive needs. At the base are Physiological—Safety—Belongingness & Love—Esteem needs. Secondly, the middle is comprised of Need to Know & Understand—Aesthetic Needs. Finally, capping this pyramid are Self Actualization—Transcendence.
A few years ago, while thinking about the correlation between the physical needs for survival and those required for spiritual health, it occurred to me that there is a distinct similarity between “the Disciples’ Prayer” of Matthew Chapter 6 (commonly referred to as “the Lord’s Prayer”) and Maslow’s Hierarchy. That is to say, what Maslow discovered through observation of the human condition that is accurate obviously reflects what we know to be Biblical truth regarding how God designed us. Romans 1:19&20 tells us, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (NASV).
The most fundamental difference between the hierarchy (if I may call it that) presented by the Disciples’ Prayer and Maslow lay in the initial type of needs required for survival. Understandably, the psychologist began with what is most obvious. From the time of birth onward, we demand air, drink, food, company and comfort. As we mature we begin to grow not just physically, but also mentally, and hopefully spiritually—and not just selfishly, but also in our consideration of others. As a result, Maslow placed the most basic needs for continued organic existence at the base of his model. In contrast, Jesus begins the model prayer with recognition of, and homage to, God the Father Who resides in the spiritual realm and Who is holy (Mt 6:9&10). Christ is telling us that all life begins with God as our Almighty Creator, Righteous Judge, and Divine Sovereign. Our recognition and humble acceptance of that fact is primary and requisite to all else. Effectively, the Lord begins with “Self Realization” within context of who we are in the face of God’s great statement of “I am who I am...” (Ex 3:14), and then His prayer turns toward our daily biological needs as represented in these passages by the phrase “our daily bread” (Mt 6:11).
Matthew 6:31 "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' 32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (NASV). Maslow starts with material essentials and then moves into the cognitive/aesthetic. Jesus starts with cognitive/spiritual essentials and then moves to the physical. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Amen.
Spiritual Survival: Part Seven—Matthew To Maslow
by rev dave c
Matthew 6:5 "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9 "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 'Give us this day our daily bread. 12 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen' (NASV).
In the early 1970’s I was introduced to the basic teachings of the American educational psychologist, Abraham Maslow (April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970). Maslow was unique in his approach to research in that he did not target society’s abnormal members as the subject of his studies as did most psychologists/psychiatrists from Freud on. Rather, he chose those college students whom he felt were the best and the brightest of our culture. He is best remembered for the model of his life’s work known as “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”. As a freshman of almost 40 years ago, I was taught that this hierarchy consisted of Food-Shelter-Reproduction as the most basic of needs. As these immediate requirements are met, an individual then becomes involved in the higher aspects of existence as expressed through Self Realization and then Self Actualization.
Decades later I learned that Abraham Maslow tinkered with his hierarchy until his death as he continued to observe people and to contemplate the motivators and aspirations of humanity at large and as represented by his own head and heart. As per a summary titled “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” (http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/r ... aslow.html), the current model of his theory is that of a triangle laterally divided into three categories of progressive needs. At the base are Physiological—Safety—Belongingness & Love—Esteem needs. Secondly, the middle is comprised of Need to Know & Understand—Aesthetic Needs. Finally, capping this pyramid are Self Actualization—Transcendence.
A few years ago, while thinking about the correlation between the physical needs for survival and those required for spiritual health, it occurred to me that there is a distinct similarity between “the Disciples’ Prayer” of Matthew Chapter 6 (commonly referred to as “the Lord’s Prayer”) and Maslow’s Hierarchy. That is to say, what Maslow discovered through observation of the human condition that is accurate obviously reflects what we know to be Biblical truth regarding how God designed us. Romans 1:19&20 tells us, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (NASV).
The most fundamental difference between the hierarchy (if I may call it that) presented by the Disciples’ Prayer and Maslow lay in the initial type of needs required for survival. Understandably, the psychologist began with what is most obvious. From the time of birth onward, we demand air, drink, food, company and comfort. As we mature we begin to grow not just physically, but also mentally, and hopefully spiritually—and not just selfishly, but also in our consideration of others. As a result, Maslow placed the most basic needs for continued organic existence at the base of his model. In contrast, Jesus begins the model prayer with recognition of, and homage to, God the Father Who resides in the spiritual realm and Who is holy (Mt 6:9&10). Christ is telling us that all life begins with God as our Almighty Creator, Righteous Judge, and Divine Sovereign. Our recognition and humble acceptance of that fact is primary and requisite to all else. Effectively, the Lord begins with “Self Realization” within context of who we are in the face of God’s great statement of “I am who I am...” (Ex 3:14), and then His prayer turns toward our daily biological needs as represented in these passages by the phrase “our daily bread” (Mt 6:11).
Matthew 6:31 "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' 32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (NASV). Maslow starts with material essentials and then moves into the cognitive/aesthetic. Jesus starts with cognitive/spiritual essentials and then moves to the physical. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Amen.