Reflections: Chapter 4 - Barker

As a church, we tend to over-spiritualize situations, problems, and various issues that individuals face such as relationships problems, sense of meaninglessness, addictions, and mental health. Chapter 4 argues that issues and emotions have evolutionary roots that are triggered by cultural conditions. I’ve seen numerous times, church leaders associating relationship issues, depression, addictions, and fear with the individual’s faith and spirituality. They give them spiritual advice and steps to overcome these obstacles. Although these may be true to an extent, one needs to look at the bigger picture of an individual’s cultural background. To assess an individual’s problem by observing their cultural conditions and understanding the possibilities of social construction of these behaviors can be helpful in assisting them. Churches need to students in these areas of cultural studies, so we don’t assume and make mistakes.