Digital Commons @ George Fox University Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations 2-10-2016 Our Flight From Death is Killing Us: Applying a Psychological Framework to a Christian Understanding of the Human Condition G. Mark Griffith George Fox University, [email protected] This research is a product of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at George Fox University. Find out more about the program. Recommended Citation Griffith,. G Mark, "Our Flight From Death is Killing Us: Applying a Psychological Framework to a Christian Understanding of the Human Condition" (2016). Doctor of Ministry. Paper 130. http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/dmin/130 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY OUR FLIGHT FROM DEATH IS KILLING US: APPLYING A PSYCHOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK TO A CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HUMAN CONDITION. A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GEORGE FOX EVANGELICAL SEMINARY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY G. MARK GRIFFITH PORTLAND, OREGON FEBRUARY 2016 George Fox Evangelical Seminary George Fox University Portland, Oregon CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL ________________________________ DMin Dissertation ________________________________ This is to certify that the DMin Dissertation of G. Mark Griffith has been approved by the Dissertation Committee on February 10, 2016 for the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics and Future Studies. Dissertation Committee: Primary Advisor: Ron Clark, DMin Secondary Advisor: Frank Green, DMin Lead Mentor: Leonard I. Sweet, PhD Copyright © 2016 G. Mark Griffith All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from the New Revised Standard Version. All Scriptures references in the Hebrew language are taken from Leningrad Codex. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ v ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER ONE: A PRECARIOUS PARDOX ............................................................................. 1 Longing to Thrive ....................................................................................................................... 2 Running From Death ................................................................................................................... 3 Hiding in Religion....................................................................................................................... 8 Living with Our Neighbors ....................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER TWO: A PSYCHOLOGICAL ARTICULATION OF THE HUMAN CONDITION ................................................................................................................................ 17 Becker’s Life and Work ............................................................................................................ 18 Terror Management Theory ...................................................................................................... 26 Focus Theory ............................................................................................................................ 30 Critique of Becker ..................................................................................................................... 34 A Christian Connection ............................................................................................................. 39 CHAPTER THREE: SIGNS AND SYMBOLS ........................................................................... 45 Everyday Signs and Symbols .................................................................................................... 46 Signs .......................................................................................................................................... 49 Symbol ...................................................................................................................................... 51 The Burn Test ........................................................................................................................... 54 Signs, Symbols, and Distortions ............................................................................................... 55 Obsolescence ............................................................................................................................. 59 Cultural Symbols ...................................................................................................................... 61 Zombies ..................................................................................................................................... 62 Christian Symbols ..................................................................................................................... 66 Scripture ................................................................................................................................ 67 Sacraments ............................................................................................................................ 68 Baptism ................................................................................................................................. 69 Eucharist ............................................................................................................................... 72 Apostle’s Creeds ................................................................................................................... 74 Fish ........................................................................................................................................ 75 Salmon are Christian ............................................................................................................. 78 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 83 CHAPTER FOUR: ENGAGING SCRIPTURE ........................................................................... 87 Brief Outline of Becker and Initial Connection Scripture ........................................................ 89 Scriptural Engagement: Creation Narrative Genesis ................................................................ 89 Symbolic Death ......................................................................................................................... 90 The Problem of the Serpent ...................................................................................................... 94 Augustine .................................................................................................................................. 99 Sin Inheritance ........................................................................................................................ 103 Exodus 32: 1-20: Idol Making Propensity .............................................................................. 104 Whose Problem ....................................................................................................................... 108 Ezekiel 37: The Valley of Death and Hope for Life. .............................................................. 110 iii John 13:1-17: Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet ...................................................................... 114 Matthew 16: 24-26: Take Up Your Cross ............................................................................... 117 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 122 CHAPTER FIVE: RESPONDING TO POVERTY ................................................................... 125 Jesus Leads Us Across Boundaries ......................................................................................... 127 Symbols of Failed Cultural Fiction ......................................................................................... 128 Myths of Poverty .................................................................................................................... 133 Disgust Theory ........................................................................................................................ 136 Food Banks and Homeless Shelters ........................................................................................ 138 Altruism .................................................................................................................................. 139 Humility .................................................................................................................................. 145 CHAPTER SIX: OUR FAITH LEADS TO LOVE .................................................................... 148 Wisdom in our Faith Tradition ............................................................................................... 148 Helpful Symbols ..................................................................................................................... 149 Loving our Neighbors ............................................................................................................