It’s sad your Calvinist content gets more views than the growth vids. Yes you hit the nail on the head with your Calvinist videos but the gold is really in this sort of content
I have a collection of notes I made a few years ago on my phone titled "walking worthy." It's not exhaustive, but it's just a collection of segments from the new testament about how Christians should behave and act. I wrote them all out so I could look for a pattern, and the pattern was pretty clear (but again, not exhaustive. I dont want to create my own systematic theology). Love/Charity. Humbleness. Helpfulness. Temperance. Patience. Honor. Diligence. Growth. Transformation. Forgiveness. Edification. Etc. For me, that is where the participatory, perspectival and procedural side of Christianity is. And I agree that if someone's Christianity stacked up only in propositional, then they are disoriented. As I understand it, that disorientation is the idea that adding quantity of information will make you a better christian, or that progress is measured by the amount of outlandish, often pointless (like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin) things they can affirm to be true. That being said, I don't agree with the assessment that having beliefs necessarily makes one an idolater. I agree with everything as it's laid out in a practical sense, but I want to be honest when there's something I dont agree with. I think holding beliefs dogmatically and with an inappropriate amount of certainty is definitely a bad thing, and I find the content of this channel helpful and transformative, but I've still kept the notion that none of my performance/growth/transformation/agency has any bearing on my salvation (of the soul, not considering fractal salvation). And it's not like I want to force you to agree with me on that matter. I'm not sure what your opinion is nor do I think you're somehow the authority on whether or not someone is saved or whatever. But it seems like the idea comes up in every video, so my question is this. Do you think someone that has beliefs can still gather something of value from this channel? I phrase the question like that because you've often framed "stage 3" people as idolaters, following a false Christ, and incapable of nuanced thought. This might sound dramatic, but it's made the channel feel much less welcoming, and far more exclusive, to the point where I've drawn back quite a bit out of a sense of feeling accused of being "stage 3." (I'm not saying you've accused me personally, but when having a belief about something is framed as idolatry, then that lumps a large group of people into the burn pile so to speak.) You value viewing people charitably, but it seems you view any Christians who "have beliefs" very categorically yourself. But I may be misinterpreting. At the end of the day, I feel like I can get behind pretty much everything practical that comes from this channel. It's helped me and it continues to help me. I'm not trying to come against the channel, but I've had a sense of something that doesn't feel right to me for years now. I've tried telling myself it's nothing, and I've also feared that it was just me being an ideologically possessed stage 3 idolater. But I don't want to stop participating with the channel because I feel pressured to stop believing things that I genuinely think are true just because they can be lumped in with things other groups of people have already historical believed as "propositional truth claims."
As a recovered addict of over 15 years, I can say that while there is a physiological component, the addiction itself centered in my mind… and for me it had been more of a spiritual malady than anything else. Once the spiritual malady was overcome, the mind straightened out, and the desire to put it in my body disappeared. Resentment is a deadly business, and truth is a powerful remedy.
About halfway through the video, but I want to ask this now while my thoughts are fresh. Do you have any advice or direction for what should do if I feel like my constant fear of hell is creating a reciprocal narrowing? To try and define my thoughts, I'll contextualize by saying that the last few days have been rough for me because of my sudden (probably OCD induced) researgence of fearing that Im not saved. Among the list of things to keep in order is is both a "serious personal interest" and a "realistic, meaningful plan for the future." For me, the best I can conceive of now is writing fiction, but my fear of getting something wrong about the bible and ending up in hell is basically hitting the brakes on all of the things that give me that sense of meaning. I can't bring myself to write while I have this nagging fear that I'm either wasting my time or else doing something actually wrong. This reciprocal narrowing of fear has led me to have a hard time coming back to this channel for fear that I'll hear something that "triggers" (for lack of a better word) my fear of condemnation. Which is probably why I enjoy the channel and think it's helpful, but I might come across as coming against the channel in some of my comments I'm kinda self analyzing here and writing it down as I go. I hope you'll bear with me I've just kinda realized my obsessive compulsive fear of hell is definitely a reciprocal narrowing, but I'm not quite sure what to do about it. I've noticed that the times when I seem to observe the most reciprocal opening in my life coincides with when I feel most confident in my salvation (basically a feeling that I can move forward and grow without having to be perfect because I don't feel like my eternity hangs in the balance). I wonder if it's a matter of the chicken vs the egg? Do I experience more hope because I have reciprocal opening, or do I have reciprocal opening because I experience more hope? But I still struggle with my belief in OSAS, since exposure to this channel has made me doubt whether or not I'm simply emotionally attached to the concept of OSAS. I basically switch between feeling despair some of the time, vs feeling confident that I'm saved and I don't have to worry about losing my salvation, but even when Im confident, I have what I can only describe as a feeling of "guilt" for believing in OSAS. Like I'm just a stage 3, ideologically possessed fool or something. That being said, I wonder if the reciprocal opening that I may (or may not) experience as a result of believing OSAS might be an argument in favor of it. It's an argument I've kinda articulated before, that if my salvation doesn't depend on my actions, then I have nothing preventing me from trying over and over since failure on my part is not the end of the story All that being said, even while experiencing reciprocal opening, I'm still vulnerable to falling into a sense of confusion and despair. This last week I ran 6 miles, which was a record for me, and then wrote over 3000 words in a few days. My sense of reciprocal opening was very high, and yet my despair (or fear of hell, or depression, or whatever it is) just pops up out of nowhere and demands my full, agonizing attention. It's been like this for two days now. I usually go through this little cycle, but it seems like the more the pendulum swings in a good direction, the more I will pay for it when it goes back. Basically, I'm saying that the better things are going for me, the worse I will have to suffer down the line. At least thats how it seems sometimes. This is probably a lot to dump in one comment, but perhaps this will help myself or others. Thanks if you've even read this far. Hopefully I've articulated my thoughts a way that makes sense.
Welcome. You must be new to the channel. We don’t “support,” or “endorse” anyone as a whole, nor do we typically condemn people on a whole, with few exceptions. There is some signal and some noise in just about every attempt at a message from humans. On this channel we discourage “splitting,” (look that up) and encourage more nuanced discernment. We also do not advocate for committing genetic logical fallacy based on WHO said something. You’ll hear more about this approach in our growth and transformation playlist. We have a reading list on our website, and this is our approach with every author listed there: beyondthefundamentals.com/reading-list.html
Hi Kevin... Thank you for all your content... I am finding a lot of your content above my level to process at the moment.... I think I am transitioning between stage 3 and 4, or in my first major wake up cycle... and am not sure where to start.... I do not want to spend money on books as I am living on 50K AUD (30K? US) supporting a wife with Chronic pain and ASD/ADHD and three young kids with ASD/ADHD. I am struggling with anger and clutter/noise overwhelm, and just starting some counselling. Do you have any tentative suggestions that I will need to discern if they are relevant, in deepening my relationship with God AND/OR starting a growth transformation journey. God Bless
I am in roughly the same stage , I just went back to Kevin's Christian cognition Playlist where he explains a lot of the complex topics in a slower manner 😊
This video has been particularly valuable for all the practical (as in, something one can actually "practice") guidance available. It seems almost a shame that you named it "overcoming addiction," as many people will probably look at the title and then assume it doesn't apply to them and pass it by.
@KevinThompson1611 Lol putting me on the spot. A few ideas that come to mind: "How to practice reciprocal opening." This one seems accurate, but anyone not familiar with the concept is unlikely to be attracted "How to be transformed by the renewing of your mind" This one is basically just using biblical language to say the same thing, which might attract more people since it's gives them a frame of reference to start with Or maybe a combination like "Renewing of the mind and reciprocal opening"? I was jokingly going to suggest "how to destroy calvinism forever" or something like that, as a means of clickbait. But those attracted by that title are unlikely to stay long once they're disappointed lol.
@KevinThompson1611 But people struggling with addiction can also benefit from the video, since addiction is basically a reciprocal narrowing...so maybe a title that incorporates the original? "Reciprocal Opening, Renewing the Mind, and Overcoming Addiction"? I tend to use too many words when I write, and perhaps that is extending to this title.
i was wondering if there's a conflict between analyzing one's personhood on the basis of the things that matter to us and the idea that none of those things make up who you are.
As an addict in that is 31 minutes in this video seems to come from the perspective of someone who doesnt have an allergy to intoxicants. An addicts brain scan is different than a normy brain. An addiction occupies the same part of the brain as the need for food and water, it is NOT a habit.
Yea, this video seems like advice on living better and breaking bad habits. The clinical definition of addiction is a behavior that cannot be stopped despite negative consequences. Please read the doctors opinion in the AA big book. It really sheds light on how the true addicts and alcoholics brains function.
Thanks for the feedback. I did not intent to convey comprehensiveness for this complex issue in a single video, so forgive me if I accidentally gave that impression. Addiction affects the way the brain is wired, which is why the neuroplasticity segments of this video are so important. There are proven ways to re-structure the brain.
It’s sad your Calvinist content gets more views than the growth vids. Yes you hit the nail on the head with your Calvinist videos but the gold is really in this sort of content
Agreed! Thanks for the comment!
I have a collection of notes I made a few years ago on my phone titled "walking worthy." It's not exhaustive, but it's just a collection of segments from the new testament about how Christians should behave and act. I wrote them all out so I could look for a pattern, and the pattern was pretty clear (but again, not exhaustive. I dont want to create my own systematic theology). Love/Charity. Humbleness. Helpfulness. Temperance. Patience. Honor. Diligence. Growth. Transformation. Forgiveness. Edification. Etc.
For me, that is where the participatory, perspectival and procedural side of Christianity is. And I agree that if someone's Christianity stacked up only in propositional, then they are disoriented. As I understand it, that disorientation is the idea that adding quantity of information will make you a better christian, or that progress is measured by the amount of outlandish, often pointless (like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin) things they can affirm to be true.
That being said, I don't agree with the assessment that having beliefs necessarily makes one an idolater.
I agree with everything as it's laid out in a practical sense, but I want to be honest when there's something I dont agree with. I think holding beliefs dogmatically and with an inappropriate amount of certainty is definitely a bad thing, and I find the content of this channel helpful and transformative, but I've still kept the notion that none of my performance/growth/transformation/agency has any bearing on my salvation (of the soul, not considering fractal salvation).
And it's not like I want to force you to agree with me on that matter. I'm not sure what your opinion is nor do I think you're somehow the authority on whether or not someone is saved or whatever. But it seems like the idea comes up in every video, so my question is this. Do you think someone that has beliefs can still gather something of value from this channel? I phrase the question like that because you've often framed "stage 3" people as idolaters, following a false Christ, and incapable of nuanced thought.
This might sound dramatic, but it's made the channel feel much less welcoming, and far more exclusive, to the point where I've drawn back quite a bit out of a sense of feeling accused of being "stage 3." (I'm not saying you've accused me personally, but when having a belief about something is framed as idolatry, then that lumps a large group of people into the burn pile so to speak.)
You value viewing people charitably, but it seems you view any Christians who "have beliefs" very categorically yourself. But I may be misinterpreting.
At the end of the day, I feel like I can get behind pretty much everything practical that comes from this channel. It's helped me and it continues to help me. I'm not trying to come against the channel, but I've had a sense of something that doesn't feel right to me for years now. I've tried telling myself it's nothing, and I've also feared that it was just me being an ideologically possessed stage 3 idolater. But I don't want to stop participating with the channel because I feel pressured to stop believing things that I genuinely think are true just because they can be lumped in with things other groups of people have already historical believed as "propositional truth claims."
As a recovered addict of over 15 years, I can say that while there is a physiological component, the addiction itself centered in my mind… and for me it had been more of a spiritual malady than anything else. Once the spiritual malady was overcome, the mind straightened out, and the desire to put it in my body disappeared.
Resentment is a deadly business, and truth is a powerful remedy.
Thanks for doing this topic, it's been very Helpful
What is the best way to support this channel financially and how do we take part in FSI?
About halfway through the video, but I want to ask this now while my thoughts are fresh.
Do you have any advice or direction for what should do if I feel like my constant fear of hell is creating a reciprocal narrowing? To try and define my thoughts, I'll contextualize by saying that the last few days have been rough for me because of my sudden (probably OCD induced) researgence of fearing that Im not saved. Among the list of things to keep in order is is both a "serious personal interest" and a "realistic, meaningful plan for the future."
For me, the best I can conceive of now is writing fiction, but my fear of getting something wrong about the bible and ending up in hell is basically hitting the brakes on all of the things that give me that sense of meaning.
I can't bring myself to write while I have this nagging fear that I'm either wasting my time or else doing something actually wrong.
This reciprocal narrowing of fear has led me to have a hard time coming back to this channel for fear that I'll hear something that "triggers" (for lack of a better word) my fear of condemnation. Which is probably why I enjoy the channel and think it's helpful, but I might come across as coming against the channel in some of my comments
I'm kinda self analyzing here and writing it down as I go. I hope you'll bear with me
I've just kinda realized my obsessive compulsive fear of hell is definitely a reciprocal narrowing, but I'm not quite sure what to do about it. I've noticed that the times when I seem to observe the most reciprocal opening in my life coincides with when I feel most confident in my salvation (basically a feeling that I can move forward and grow without having to be perfect because I don't feel like my eternity hangs in the balance). I wonder if it's a matter of the chicken vs the egg? Do I experience more hope because I have reciprocal opening, or do I have reciprocal opening because I experience more hope?
But I still struggle with my belief in OSAS, since exposure to this channel has made me doubt whether or not I'm simply emotionally attached to the concept of OSAS. I basically switch between feeling despair some of the time, vs feeling confident that I'm saved and I don't have to worry about losing my salvation, but even when Im confident, I have what I can only describe as a feeling of "guilt" for believing in OSAS. Like I'm just a stage 3, ideologically possessed fool or something. That being said, I wonder if the reciprocal opening that I may (or may not) experience as a result of believing OSAS might be an argument in favor of it.
It's an argument I've kinda articulated before, that if my salvation doesn't depend on my actions, then I have nothing preventing me from trying over and over since failure on my part is not the end of the story
All that being said, even while experiencing reciprocal opening, I'm still vulnerable to falling into a sense of confusion and despair. This last week I ran 6 miles, which was a record for me, and then wrote over 3000 words in a few days. My sense of reciprocal opening was very high, and yet my despair (or fear of hell, or depression, or whatever it is) just pops up out of nowhere and demands my full, agonizing attention. It's been like this for two days now. I usually go through this little cycle, but it seems like the more the pendulum swings in a good direction, the more I will pay for it when it goes back.
Basically, I'm saying that the better things are going for me, the worse I will have to suffer down the line. At least thats how it seems sometimes.
This is probably a lot to dump in one comment, but perhaps this will help myself or others. Thanks if you've even read this far. Hopefully I've articulated my thoughts a way that makes sense.
I love Mitch Hedberg!!! 🤗
Yes. He was great!
You quoted Richard Rohr. Do you support his teachings? Thanks!
Welcome. You must be new to the channel.
We don’t “support,” or “endorse” anyone as a whole, nor do we typically condemn people on a whole, with few exceptions. There is some signal and some noise in just about every attempt at a message from humans.
On this channel we discourage “splitting,” (look that up) and encourage more nuanced discernment. We also do not advocate for committing genetic logical fallacy based on WHO said something.
You’ll hear more about this approach in our growth and transformation playlist.
We have a reading list on our website, and this is our approach with every author listed there:
beyondthefundamentals.com/reading-list.html
Thx. Very helpful
Hi Kevin... Thank you for all your content...
I am finding a lot of your content above my level to process at the moment....
I think I am transitioning between stage 3 and 4, or in my first major wake up cycle... and am not sure where to start....
I do not want to spend money on books as I am living on 50K AUD (30K? US) supporting a wife with Chronic pain and ASD/ADHD and three young kids with ASD/ADHD.
I am struggling with anger and clutter/noise overwhelm, and just starting some counselling.
Do you have any tentative suggestions that I will need to discern if they are relevant, in deepening my relationship with God AND/OR starting a growth transformation journey.
God Bless
Please realise that my plea for help / advice was written before listening to this video....
I am in roughly the same stage , I just went back to Kevin's Christian cognition Playlist where he explains a lot of the complex topics in a slower manner 😊
This video has been particularly valuable for all the practical (as in, something one can actually "practice") guidance available. It seems almost a shame that you named it "overcoming addiction," as many people will probably look at the title and then assume it doesn't apply to them and pass it by.
This is great feedback. If we were to re-release it with a different title, what title would you suggest?
@KevinThompson1611 Lol putting me on the spot.
A few ideas that come to mind:
"How to practice reciprocal opening."
This one seems accurate, but anyone not familiar with the concept is unlikely to be attracted
"How to be transformed by the renewing of your mind"
This one is basically just using biblical language to say the same thing, which might attract more people since it's gives them a frame of reference to start with
Or maybe a combination like "Renewing of the mind and reciprocal opening"?
I was jokingly going to suggest "how to destroy calvinism forever" or something like that, as a means of clickbait. But those attracted by that title are unlikely to stay long once they're disappointed lol.
@KevinThompson1611
But people struggling with addiction can also benefit from the video, since addiction is basically a reciprocal narrowing...so maybe a title that incorporates the original?
"Reciprocal Opening, Renewing the Mind, and Overcoming Addiction"?
I tend to use too many words when I write, and perhaps that is extending to this title.
i was wondering if there's a conflict between analyzing one's personhood on the basis of the things that matter to us and the idea that none of those things make up who you are.
As an addict in that is 31 minutes in this video seems to come from the perspective of someone who doesnt have an allergy to intoxicants.
An addicts brain scan is different than a normy brain.
An addiction occupies the same part of the brain as the need for food and water, it is NOT a habit.
Focusing on recovery is good though, I suggest checking out the AA big book.
Yea, this video seems like advice on living better and breaking bad habits.
The clinical definition of addiction is a behavior that cannot be stopped despite negative consequences. Please read the doctors opinion in the AA big book. It really sheds light on how the true addicts and alcoholics brains function.
Thanks for the feedback. I did not intent to convey comprehensiveness for this complex issue in a single video, so forgive me if I accidentally gave that impression.
Addiction affects the way the brain is wired, which is why the neuroplasticity segments of this video are so important. There are proven ways to re-structure the brain.
10:24 Jackie Chan is a violent metaphor, and not very "Christiany" sounding. It upsets my equilibrium. Shame on you, Kevin.