So what is the difference between guilt and shame?
Guilt says “You’ve done something wrong.”
Shame says “There is something wrong with you.”
In his book, Atonement for a “Sinless” Society, Alan Mann suggests that before churches address the problem of guilt they must address the epidemic of shame that exists in a post-Christian culture.
Do you agree?
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
I have thought of cultures in the West as guilt based, the East as shame based, and Africa as bondage based. The West sees Jesus paying for our sin. The East sees Jesus bringing us us into his family. Africa sees Jesus setting us free. In the West, we will avoid the need to feel guilty by “not getting caught”. Our conscience comes calling when we know we are guilty and should be ashamed. Do we mistake our conscience for unhealthy shame? That leads us to question the difference between shame and conscience. If the west IS embarking on a season in the shame experience, it will be very interesting…
With no shame in my game,
Kyle
I feel shame at times. After Sunday I am trying to let my shame go. I see how it gets in my way.
Guilt on the other hand. I’m guilty. I sin. I don’t think I will be truly “not guilty” until the New Creation. It’s just up to me how I handle it. Do I listen and try to change or do I ignore.
Thanks to you, I am listening a lot more.
I have not thought this through completely, but the first impression I had to the post is this:
Guilt is an indictment, shame is a feeling when the indictment has been assessed.
Since feelings are neight right or wrong, I cannot change the fact that I feel shame. On the other hand, I can change whether I am guilty or not by my actions. If I feel shame, I probably need to look at my actions and see what I have done wrong and change those actions. But I cannot change the fact that I feel shame.
I have not read the book and am only going on the short paragraph of your post. Sorry if I am misleading what you are saying here.
To address Peggy’s statement, I believe shame goes much deeper than a feeling. Shame indicates a state of being, a poor standing within a community of people. Shame (and honor) is an indication of who a person is. Guilt/innocence is a status based on rules and seems a bit more transitory in my thinking.
Wade, one book that comes highly recommended by missionaries who work in honor/shame cultures is “Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew” by Neyrey. You may find it useful.
I am grateful for the recommended resources. I’ve struggled with shame, much of which I can now look back and see was just another way Satan was attacking me. We are all guilty, and for that Christ paid the penalty, but shame is something we feel that continues to cripple us as if Christ’s crusifixion wasn’t enough. It helps me to gain perspective when I think of my son. He may be guilty of making mistakes and face consequences, but I would never say to him “I’m ashamed of you”… nor would our Father.
None of those who are truly in Christ should feel shame. We have a Saviour who counted us precious enough to die for us, so why should we be ashamed?
Our sins are forgiven and the goal, as John said “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” (1 John 2:28 ESV)
Are we guilty? Absolutely! But we are forgiven!!
Check out this clip from ER. You may have already seen it, but it fits into this discussion on atonement/guilt/shame at various levels;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNuSBGa1mLM
JR
hey wade.
taught last week and touched on the topic of shame. found this great quote about it and thought you would enjoy it too. i can’t remember where i found it or if the person writing it was even close to believing or not or that i care. but he/she was a counselor and coming from psychological perspective couldn’t believe shame wasn’t looked at much closer when dealing with the lives of people who come to counseling.
“If distress is the affect of suffering, shame is the affect of indignity, transgression and of alienation. Though terror speaks to life and death and distress makes of the world a vale of tears, yet shame strikes deepest into the heart of man…. shame is felt as inner torment, a sickness of the soul….the humiliated one feels himself naked, defeated, alienated, lacking in dignity and worth.”
if i find the article attached to this ill shoot it your way.
kelly