Can Psychopaths be Christians?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Seth R. on July 19, 2011 at 20:29

Of course they can be Christians.

 

Just not very good ones.

 

People always seem to equate the word "Christian" with whether or not you are saved, or of acceptable status within the religion. I think this is misguided. "Christian" is simply a word of religious affiliation. It doesn't say anything - one way or the other - about the person's moral status.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stuart on July 19, 2011 at 20:31

OK, can a psychopath be saved?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Seth R. on July 19, 2011 at 20:32

We Mormons have a rather different definition of "saved" - so I'm probably not the person to ask.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stuart on July 19, 2011 at 20:40

Why would the Mormon definition of saved be irrelevant in this instance?

 

If this helps I will phrase thusly:

 

Can a psychopath reach a state of theosis?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 3ri8k332k8cnx on July 19, 2011 at 20:44

It's a strange question I know

 

I don't think it is strange. I think it's a very thoughtful (if somewhat difficult) question.

We might also ask can babies be Christian? Or can those with dementia be Christian? 

Essentially we are asking whether faith and Christianity is, in essence, an intellectual exercise. I think I would say 'as far as we are able to respond to faith we will'. Interestingly none of the great people of scripture (e.g. Abraham, Moses & Peter) were able to live out their faith without some glitches - they all had faith but all stumbled at points. Abraham lost patience waiting for a child and went into his wife's servant. Moses said to God he couldn't speak well enough - he didn't trust God to give him the power of good speech. Peter denied Christ. We all fall short even when we proclaim faith - when push comes to shove we're all a bit edgy about faith. That is the scriptural story. 

Perhaps this best relates to our Lord's parable of the talents - all were/are judged on what they were/are given. A psychopath may be given very little in how he/she may respond. But we trust our Lord will judge rightly and with mercy (as with us as well!).

I love how our scriptures do not make perfect heroes of the great people of faith - we know all, even the 'greats', rest on the mercy of our Lord and his Passion on Good Friday. You and I are as dependent on the mercy of our Lord as a psychopath, and as dependent as Paul or Peter or Abraham. And perhaps we have fewer excuses than psychopaths (-:

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Michael on July 19, 2011 at 21:02

 

I have thought about this before, but in the end the answer is deceptively simple.

 

If psychopaths genuinly appear to be devoid of compassion, empathy, shame, guilt, remorse, conscience and so on, is it posible that they may become Christians, given that this path begins with repentance?

 

This question assumes psychopathy is an incurable disease or state of being. I don't believe it is, though I can understand why some psychiatrists have claimed as much, given their own failings in finding any man-made cure. I went along with these experts of their field and so too had trouble seeing how psychopaths, incapable of feeling remorse, could be saved.

 

But things changed, and I no longer believe the assumption inherent in the question. The reason I don't believe the proposition is simply that the lives of the Saints contains many redeemed sinners who in their old lives exhibited all the hallmarks of psychopathy. They were healed. It's that simple.

 

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stuart on July 19, 2011 at 21:31

@ Jonathan and Iggy.

 

Fantastic answers really insightful, thank you.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pedro on July 19, 2011 at 21:32

"Christian" is simply a word of religious affiliation. It doesn't say anything - one way or the other - about the person's moral status.

 

Or rather it should have said something, but such is the dogs breakfast that the church made of Christianity, that it doesn't say anything anymore.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pedro on July 19, 2011 at 21:36

Can YOU be a Christian is the more pertinent question.

Do YOU understand what a Christian is even if you aren't psychopathic?

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jan on July 20, 2011 at 0:10

I would say that salvation doesn't depend on feelings but on facts and on choices. Anyone can be saved, it's a gift of God.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Phoebe on July 20, 2011 at 11:35

Jack, please worry about your own state. 

And of course it would be worth addressing your heresies of:

Dualism:-

Gnosticism

Machieanism

Jansenism

Antinomianism

And of course last but not least 

Fideism

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion