I very much resonate with the idea of addiction being prophetic. And I’ve been thinking of these ideas throughout the week. And yet, I can’t help but consider how ubiquitous potential addictions are today compared to the past. How many multinational corporations spend millions to hack human biology? How long have humans had access to drugs that produce 1000x the natural levels of dopamine? How much of this critique of modernity by addiction is merely the “original sin” and limitation of human nature?
This, simply, is incredible insight. I measure how powerful things I read and watch are by how often I find myself returning to them in thoughts and conversations throughout the day. This book/summary has been showing up often. I'm a pastor who is quite compelled by the power of 12 step communities and often wondered how to capture and share with our congregation some of the vulnerability, community and change they experience. Connecting the experience of addiction to loneliness, arbitrariness and boredom seem a really good step. Gerald May's "Addiction & Grace" makes a really good case that we are all addicts. I look forward to continuing to hear how Dunnington makes the case for how the church can better use this insight for our collective recovery, or if you will, sanctification. Thanks for your insights Dr. Beck.
Thank you Ken for your comments. As a Jesus following & grateful member of 12 step recovery I have thought about what you wrote a lot. My conclusion is that 12 step recovery, when observing a healthy group, is very much akin to the 1st century church. The primary focus is on the sick & suffering whether a new comer or the hurting long timer. This, I believe, is what some, not all, churches miss. Some, again not all, churches have become a museum for the well & not a hospital for the sick &, as you know, Jesus didn’t come for the righteous or well He came for the sick. If you can recapture the environment of the 1st century church in yours lives will change. You may loose some big donation museum pieces but the hurting will find comfort & the Lord will graciously take care of the organization. (Side note on the money part, 12 step programs take a vow of destitution financially for the purpose of helping the suffering & the Lord continues to take care of them)
One thing not mentioned here is that addiction provides adventure and an opportunity to show one's strength: "We got SO wasted last night!" Substance abusers tell "War Stories" about their risky and dangerous exploits. Thus, Addiction is a reasonable substitute for battle, or "winning" at establishing a career path.
Jason, thank you for your comments. I listened to your interview with Anna Lembke & wanted to share some thoughts with you. Is there a way I can private message you via substack? I’m still new to the features on here.
My experience with modernity, spirituality, and recovery has taught me that God can guide my way through Scriptural lessons, but I need to be part of a community of people who help me navigate the lessons for the modern world. The are LOTS of possible life missions put forth in our times--some of them materialistic, some secular, some spiritual, some angry. It's my job as a child of God and a citizen to take charge of my life and not wait for God to do it for me. God helps those who help themselves and even those who don't, but I have to do my part and engage his Creation as I am able.
God knew the desire of the enemy from the beginning since His first commandment was that we shall not have any other god before Him. Addiction, like the world, makes promises it could never fulfill. Many people look at the 10 commandments as goals to aspire to, I think of them as promises or guarantees. God didn’t say we shouldn’t, He said we shall not meaning that no other god will ever suffice so they will never be the True God. Addictions, & the world for that matter, had baked in to them incompleteness, boredom, arbitrariness, depression, anxiety, harmful fear, etc.
He told us no other god will ever be Him then He proved it in Jesus & when we know the life & person of Jesus we see quickly that nothing on this earth compares.
I do like the premise of this series because addiction, just like consumerism & modernity, does highlight the failure of “other gods” to truly capture & transform our hearts.
I very much resonate with the idea of addiction being prophetic. And I’ve been thinking of these ideas throughout the week. And yet, I can’t help but consider how ubiquitous potential addictions are today compared to the past. How many multinational corporations spend millions to hack human biology? How long have humans had access to drugs that produce 1000x the natural levels of dopamine? How much of this critique of modernity by addiction is merely the “original sin” and limitation of human nature?
This, simply, is incredible insight. I measure how powerful things I read and watch are by how often I find myself returning to them in thoughts and conversations throughout the day. This book/summary has been showing up often. I'm a pastor who is quite compelled by the power of 12 step communities and often wondered how to capture and share with our congregation some of the vulnerability, community and change they experience. Connecting the experience of addiction to loneliness, arbitrariness and boredom seem a really good step. Gerald May's "Addiction & Grace" makes a really good case that we are all addicts. I look forward to continuing to hear how Dunnington makes the case for how the church can better use this insight for our collective recovery, or if you will, sanctification. Thanks for your insights Dr. Beck.
Thank you Ken for your comments. As a Jesus following & grateful member of 12 step recovery I have thought about what you wrote a lot. My conclusion is that 12 step recovery, when observing a healthy group, is very much akin to the 1st century church. The primary focus is on the sick & suffering whether a new comer or the hurting long timer. This, I believe, is what some, not all, churches miss. Some, again not all, churches have become a museum for the well & not a hospital for the sick &, as you know, Jesus didn’t come for the righteous or well He came for the sick. If you can recapture the environment of the 1st century church in yours lives will change. You may loose some big donation museum pieces but the hurting will find comfort & the Lord will graciously take care of the organization. (Side note on the money part, 12 step programs take a vow of destitution financially for the purpose of helping the suffering & the Lord continues to take care of them)
One thing not mentioned here is that addiction provides adventure and an opportunity to show one's strength: "We got SO wasted last night!" Substance abusers tell "War Stories" about their risky and dangerous exploits. Thus, Addiction is a reasonable substitute for battle, or "winning" at establishing a career path.
Jason, thank you for your comments. I listened to your interview with Anna Lembke & wanted to share some thoughts with you. Is there a way I can private message you via substack? I’m still new to the features on here.
Not sure about that. My email is resilient@cwlk.church
My experience with modernity, spirituality, and recovery has taught me that God can guide my way through Scriptural lessons, but I need to be part of a community of people who help me navigate the lessons for the modern world. The are LOTS of possible life missions put forth in our times--some of them materialistic, some secular, some spiritual, some angry. It's my job as a child of God and a citizen to take charge of my life and not wait for God to do it for me. God helps those who help themselves and even those who don't, but I have to do my part and engage his Creation as I am able.
God knew the desire of the enemy from the beginning since His first commandment was that we shall not have any other god before Him. Addiction, like the world, makes promises it could never fulfill. Many people look at the 10 commandments as goals to aspire to, I think of them as promises or guarantees. God didn’t say we shouldn’t, He said we shall not meaning that no other god will ever suffice so they will never be the True God. Addictions, & the world for that matter, had baked in to them incompleteness, boredom, arbitrariness, depression, anxiety, harmful fear, etc.
He told us no other god will ever be Him then He proved it in Jesus & when we know the life & person of Jesus we see quickly that nothing on this earth compares.
I do like the premise of this series because addiction, just like consumerism & modernity, does highlight the failure of “other gods” to truly capture & transform our hearts.