July 16, 2012

Maslow vs. Paul

by Clint Archer

In 1943 proto-psychologist Abraham Maslow postulated a theory that humans pursue contentment according to a rigid hierarchy of needs. People seek to fulfill their desires in the order of these 5 rubrics…

1. Physiological: breathing, food, water, sleep, homeostasis.

2. Safety: security from danger, employment, resources.

3. Belonging: freindship, family, intimacy.

4. Esteem: respected by others, self-respect.

5. Self-actualization: creativity, fulfillment, spontaneity, acceptance of facts, etc.

It seems reasonable enough to say that if a person has you in a choke hold, you are momentarily more concerned about attaining oxygen than achieving your lifelong goal to master the violin.

And we all recognize that when we are ravenous for a snack, we attempt to achieve a level of satisfaction for our blood sugar before we set out to gain the respect of our peers (which explains why you are rude to your irritating neighbor when you haven’t had your morning coffee).

But is it true that contentment can only be accessed by mounting this pyramid of needs in a particular order? Consider the following claims of the Apostle Paul for a moment…

1 Cor 4:11  To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,

2 Cor 11:27  in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Phil 4:11-12 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Take that, Abraham Maslow!

Paul’s physical needs were frequently unmet for a time, but he was content. This is what the black belt in contentment looks like. It’s not about circumstances, it’s about perspective.

Jesus said something similar when He lovingly instructed His followers:

Luke 12:29-31 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 

Incessant and anxious pursuit of physical necessities is a natural family trait of unbelievers. Believers are responsible to work and be good stewards, but they trust their good, all-knowing, all-powerful Father to provide for their needs.

There is a tranquility in the believer’s life that surpasses the understanding of unbelievers who exist in a perpetually bombinating hive of anxiety.

If you disagree with me, feel free to leave a comment, just make sure you’ve had a snack first.

Related links:

A concise, Cliff’s Notes summary, “One Paragraph on Psychology: My Misgivings”

And Prof. Matt Waymeyer’s provocative and insightful article,  “Is Psychology the 67th Book of the BIble?”.

in Shepherding with 11 Comments
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Clint Archer

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Clint is the pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church. He and his expanding troop of Archers live near Durban, South Africa (and pity anyone who doesn't). When he is off duty from CGate, his alter ego blogs at Café Seminoid, clintarcher.com
  • Austin Davies

    Excellent post. Certainly in my weakest moments I have more resembled the unbeliever in climbing this pyramid; however, I have also had my needs unmet and been able to know contentment. I experience occasional severe migraine headaches, and it is in those moments of excruciating painful torture, nausea, etc, that I have experienced the comfort and care of Christ like no other time in life. I have finally come to the point of being content to suffer migraines because I know God is strong and He is with me. That sort of thing may not be what the article refers to, but it came to my mind when reading.
    Without Christ I couldn’t endure much hardship in life. I would run over everyone to stuff myself with pleasure… Hmmm… Don’t we see that an awful lot these days?
    In the end no one but Christ can give true contentment.

    • http://www.clintarcher.com/ Clint

      Wow, what a great testimony. Thanks for sharing that with us. 

  • Dave Dunbar

    Having studied biblical counseling (NANC) for a while, it’s good to finally see someone address Maslow’s mixed-up pyramid!

    What we truly NEED is forgiveness of all our sins.  Food, housing, etc, are all secondary.  God has promised to provide for our needs (Matt. 6:25-34) — they simply are not issues to worry about.  That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work, of course, but that we can trust God.

    Christians would do well to think more on heavenly things, where Christ is, and focus less on the things of this world, yes, even the basics of life.  This life will be over soon anyway — how much better to have prepared for eternity!

    It’s not only Maslow vs. Paul, it’s also Maslow vs. Christ!

    • http://www.clintarcher.com/ Clint

      Amen! Thanks for that. I’d love to see a pyramid of spiritual needs. It would be a mighty tall pyramid. 

  • Drlizw

    If I recall from my PhD program (management, where psychology is one of the foundations), while Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a popular theory (thus in all the undergrad textbooks in a number of related fields), very little research has substantiated the “hierarchy” part of the theory.  In other words, it’s a theory without too much supporting research!

    • http://www.clintarcher.com/ Clint

      As with many other theories too (i.e. the theory of evolution). And St Paul would be the minority report that debunks the theory. Thanks for checking in.

  • http://twitter.com/kennyholloway kennyholloway

    I like that you’ve taken on the pyramid.  It’s time to see this hypothesis debunked.  I particularly love this statement: “It’s not about circumstances, it’s about perspective.”  I’ll share that quote with proper attribution.

    I disagree with the conclusion, “There is a tranquility in the believer’s life that surpasses the understanding of unbelievers who exist in a perpetually bombinating hive of anxiety.”

    1.  Just because someone is a believer doesn’t mean there is a tranquility in their life.  They may choose Christ and still not have the perspective over circumstance view.

    2.  A person does not have to be a Christian to have the perspective over circumstance view.  I believe we can validate that there are non-Christians that have this kind of tranquility.

    While rejecting Jesus as the Messiah will not register your name on the Lamb’s Book of Life (…and yes, you will suffer eternal damnation in hell…), God has laws that apply to all believers and non-believers here on Earth.  We usually think of things like gravity.  But this extends to human faith, will and behavior such as outlined here with perspective being key to tranquility.

    • elainebitt

      “I believe we can validate that there are non-Christians that have this kind of tranquility.”

      From where does such tranquility come from?

      • http://www.clintarcher.com/ Clint

        Ditto.

    • http://www.clintarcher.com/ Clint

      Thanks for your input Kenny. I certainly agree that there are believers galore who do not apply the commands in Scripture to set their minds on heavenly things, to consider the eternal weight of glory, and to think on what is true. Tranquility is a reward of obedience in that sense.

      It may also be true that unbelievers can achieve a state of type of peace in this life by applying the truths of Scripture, but I would argue that there can be no true, lasting peace in one’s soul without being at peace with God through Christ (I’m sure you agree, I’m just clarifying what I meant). Ecclesiastes tells us that God created us with a void that cannot be filled with anything but Him.

      Great insights. Thanks.

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