Integration Of Psychology And Christianity

Integration Of Psychology And Christianity The question of Christianity being integrated with psychology is a matter of degrees. Secular psychology and the other sciences would seek to over time remake Christian thought into their own image where Christianity and Christian scholarship is merely philosophical and not a true belief system or an opportunity to actually know God. We as believers need to stay involved so that the Christian population can remain relevant in social, political and educational circles. There are more self-professed Christians here in the United States than any other religion and still more people who believe in something greater than themselves. We must exert our authority and political power as one of the largest groups to ensure the proper counseling and training of Christian families and individuals everywhere to make sure that counseling and therapy meets the needs of our people. Christians should be able to take advantage of both science, psychology and Christian counseling techniques because all truth is Gods truth whether or not it is specified in scripture. My view is that psychology needs to be disseminated through the understanding of and the expressed intents of scripture and the needs of the individual whether or not they are a believer. If that meets the qualification for the integration test then so be it. Is it Possible to Integrate Christianity and Psychology? My initial response to the question is that your belief in God and faith should come first and that the scientific training should follow only if it lines up with scripture. There are basic presuppositions like personal responsibility and the effects of the fall of man that need to be considered against the overriding thought and teaching of secular psychological educators and institutions. First we have to decide what our basis for truth is, and exhaust that until it completely engulfs our way of viewing both the physical and spiritual worlds as well as the behavior of people. Just as we look to mathematics to measure and make judgments on our wealth and physical well-being, we can use scripture to guide us in our search to make good decisions and to honor the Creator. Science and belief in God are not antithetical but, many believe that they are. A good Christian would simply have the ability to go to Godly precepts and principles found in scripture and work from there as a startin g point. The Bible does not to my knowledge force anyone to make any mental jump or incorrect way of thinking as to endanger themselves. Integration is possible and we as Christians need to be involved in both the secular and Christian worlds of science, psychology and therapy. Recent history has shown that the prevailing culture is moving and changing in ways that call out for Gods will and His justice. Hunter states that Pastoral care of believers has been a part of life since the beginnings of the Christian Church whereas psychology has only been around for less than two hundred years and that Christian counselors are increasingly being sought out by those looking for advice on spiritual and religious issues (Hunter, 2009). Furthermore, there has been some scholarly work done in the area of Christian and psychological integration but, it has not been well received and has had little impact on scientific psychology (Bishop, 2009). Most notable was the work of Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen who contributed for over fifteen years without much success. Tarakeshwar argued that religion should be fully integrated into psychological research since religious belief holds a large role in peoples lives regardless of their culture. In addition, religion has been found to be a strong forecaster of important life areas and influences beliefs and religious practice. It also has cross-cultural influence (Tarakeshwar, 2003). In the same vein of thought, Omans article described the connections between religion, spirituality and social empowerment. Religion has been a primary driver of emerging social-movements and their success especially where the reality of good and evil forces are described in a culturally relevant way (Oman, 2003). Tan reported in his article that the best way to teach Christian and psychological integration was to have, authentic, open, caring and meaningful mentoring or personal relationship with a professor, a therapist, or some other significant person in the students life and training, is the most important and crucial factor in learning and developing integration skills. He further stated that, the clinical supervisor is also an example of a person who can be a significant mentor to students in such a way that they learn integration. Christian clinical supervision facilitates learning and the developing of integration and clinical skills and fosters personal growth that is Christ-centered, Bible-based, and Spirit-filled with the end result being more compatible treatment for Christian clients (Tan, 2009). The difficulty in meshing Christianity and Psychology is that there will always be a degree of fealty to one side or another. According to Strelan, many studies have demonstrated that spirituality and religion are closely associated with psychological well-being but, there are also levels of spiritual maturity and an individuals ability to forgive others to contend with. Noted in particular were situations where persons had feelings of disappointment with God that caused more depression. In these instances a deeper understanding of forgiveness and its benefits to the individual were espoused (Strelan, 2009). What could a secular psychologist do to aid a believer in this situation? They would have to avoid the issue altogether or tear down the belief itself. Another area discussed by Carson is the unconverted subconscious which is described as an un-surrendered part of the soul or psyche that often gets left behind during and after becoming a Christian. The unconverted subconscious can play a major role in the spiritual walk of believers. Carsons article states, examples of this can be seen in those who live incongruent and defeated lives, struggle with impulse control and addictive behaviors, experience serious psychological dysfunction and relationship difficulties, fail to heal from experiences of the past, and suffer great emotional pain. This is another place where psychology alone has no answer (Carson, 2009) The Intent of Biblical Counseling Encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11 New International Version) Biblical counseling has been described in my studies as the work and action of discipleship. When Jesus assembled his disciples he directed them to follow him so that they could have a relationship with Him. Discipleship is the give and take between individuals as they grow in the knowledge and understanding of God. This could occur between as little as two believers or many as in the typical church or seminary. We are all somewhere in the process of teaching and training others and being taught ourselves. We are all charged with the ability and the necessity to be of assistance to those who are less mature in Christ. Our ultimate goal is to become Christ-like and to show those less mature what Godliness looks like, so that they can see the Creators plan played out in their midst. We are to walk in faith as we communicate to others the truth that God is the answer to every problem. He created us to glorify Himself through our lifes walk but we cannot accomplish this without the Gospel message. It is Christ that allows us to be reconciled back unto God. The godly and holy person is able to be in total command of their behavior unlike the unsaved might expect. The saved person is able to even look beyond his or her own needs when important decisions need to be made. Because of this, godly men and women make brilliant leaders, parents, teachers, and of course helpers. This desire to share our love for Christ allows and even pushes the cycle of discipleship to persist which is the great commission all Christians have been given. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20 New International Version) Gods Role in the Process God is the reason we are here. In the Christian view of life and this world in which we live the problem is sin. Because of sin we are not able to navigate life in a way that truly meets every need. In God we can search out places in our lives where our behaviors and our choices have not lined up with the scriptures. The Holy Bible clearly enough states how we are to conduct ourselves in nearly every facet of life that truly matters. Unlike the vague and transitory nature of medical and psychological theories, God has given us clearly stated standards from which to assess our lives and our behaviors in the scriptures. He has given us the Bible to study, the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us, and of course His Son to save our souls so that we can be redeemed back unto Him. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version) Secular or worldly counselors and psychology do not have any kind of stable or consistent measure by which to gage behavior or morality. This leads to issues like moral relativism and flexible standards in societal behaviors. That does not mean that Christian counselors cannot utilize medicine or psychology in helping though. The information just needs to be viewed through the eyes of scripture first. I truly believe that medicine and science are godly pursuits and that God has inspired many of these endeavors for our betterment. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32 New International Version) Responsibility of the Therapist Counselors are responsible to their clients and need to do what is expected and what is suitable in their manner of treatment. It is not enough that we only discuss personal facts and feelings. Counseling is real work and we need to make our clients understand this and commit to the assignments and sessions. Furthermore, Cavanagh states that, The counselor agrees to provide care, knowledge, skills, energy, honesty, strength and hope. We cannot take on the responsibility for clients behavior outside of counseling session. (Cavanagh Levitov, 1982/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2002) And according to Jay E. Adams, counselors must also be directive, which means that the counselor must be acquainted with the scriptures and should develop skills in dealing with clients based upon the Word of God. This allows the counselor to deal with clients in a way that shows deep concern and yet guides them in a way that addresses the power and authority of scripture. The helper ideally needs to be immersed in the understanding of the scriptures to the point where their personality and the biblical presuppositions they have learned and lived become one in the same. It is an indistinguishable expectation from what we desire of our pastors and ministers that they understand their place in Gods plan for humanity and their place as sons and daughters of God. If we are successful in this endeavor we will be leading people to Jesus and a new way of life. Never should we place our personal issues or desires before the authority of scripture because scripture leads to sanctification in Christ which is the foundation of our work. (Adams. J, 1973/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹1986) Adams also points out that there are no problems that are not answered in scripture. He further states, there is a biblical solution to every problem, and Jesus was tested in every way that the rest of us are, yet He remained without sin. God has given us the Word so that we can take part in every good endeavor because we have been pre pared for every possibility. (Adams, 1973/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹1986) Personality We are responsible for our behavior regardless of our race, socioeconomic background, or any other affiliation that is often brought up as a justification and excuse for poor conduct. Mulhollands Shaped By the Word discusses at length the nature of spiritual formation. He states that it is the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others. Spiritual formation is a process that takes time and is a progression from simple initial belief and faith to a more complex maturity. This book states stridently that modern people will likely have a problem with undergoing extensive and time consuming sustained efforts in order to change. The author also asserts that spiritual formation is not just for church leadership, but it is to be the primal reality of our existence. By that the author is saying that we are being shaped by our decisions and our experiences either into the image of Christ or into something else. Whether we realize it or not we are undergoing consta nt spiritual transformation. Either we are becoming worldly, or we are becoming more and more like Christ. The natural or sinful person is going to try and control, or to manipulate everything and everyone around them to better meet their desires and needs. It takes a great deal to get someone to allow themselves to be conformed and that is why the Gospel is so important. The author describes this as, a reversal of the negative spiritual formation of our culture. It reverses our role from being the controller of worldly objects to being the object of the loving purposes of God who seeks to guide us into wholeness. We change from a being, of sorts into Gods creation. Scripture is very important in this process of conforming to the image of Christ. Scripture is what shows us and teaches us what the possibilities are in living a Christ-like reality and existence. The Author remarks that one of the more difficult truths in spiritual formation is that it is inseparable from our relationships with others. Our relationship with God cannot be of a personal matter. It should be a major force in ou r day to day lives. (Mulholland, 1985/2000) Assessment Issues Cavanagh, in The Counseling Experience clearly states that an integrated approach to counseling and treatment is more advantageous than just a secularized therapeutic option. The components of our behavior are many and they are multifaceted. There are biological, sociological, cultural and several other drivers of our individual conduct and behavior. He states that whereas in the past clinicians chose a single basis for treatment and assessment that there is so much available to us now that carries merit that it is in the clients best interest to use these more inclusive opportunities to treat them. All options are considered from medical and physical testing, to psychological assessments that could show a need for the administration of medications or further medical treatments. Once this is all attempted it is easier to decide whether counseling could be beneficial to the individual. Cavanagh further states that even helpers that do not treat clients with serious emotional or mental disorders could benefit from learning about the medical model of treatment and multiaxial diagnosis. The counselor is expected to cultivate working professional relationships with physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists and religious leaders among others. Again, this is considered to be a responsible and acceptable way to decide who is going to be referred, or treated, and it allows the counselor to choose a competent professional to send referrals to who is likely a specialist in their field who could assure a positive outcome for the client. (Cavanagh Levitov,1982/2002) It is important to point out for clarifications sake that all treatments need to be such that they correspond with biblical presuppositions and acceptable methods of treatment and the plausibility of a positive outcome and safety for the client involved. That being said, it is difficult to argue with such a comprehensive treatment plan. I know that I would feel very comfortable with this level of collaboration f or myself or even a family member. The Prevalence of Anxiety and its Part in Psychological Disorders Anxiety is a symptom of fearfulness and the antithesis of fear is love. That means that the answer to anxious behavior is often God because He is love. Sometimes fear is based in the discomfort that arises as a result of poor behavior or bad decision making which can be directly related to our Christian walk and worldview. Our actions all have consequences and sometimes the punishments that result from them. The first step in treatment is to decide whether the object of fear is appropriate or not. I enjoy hunting so I always have the thought that I might someday encounter a bear. That is a justifiable fear where I hunt whereas the fear of mice or a typical spider is not legitimate. A large bear could easily overtake a person where the other creatures could not. People with specific phobias experience powerful fear responses to a particular object or situation like spiders, excessive heights, or cramped spaces. The intensity of panic is typically inappropriate to the actual level of d anger and is acknowledged by the client being unreasonable or irrational. This anxiety and fear leads to an inability to manage regular daily living and activities. Excessive levels of fear can lead to the avoidance of common, everyday situations. Simply put, we can live in a state of love towards God and man or, we can live in fear of them because we believe that we are in danger. (Adams, 1973/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹1986) 26So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:26-30 New International Version) Biblical Understanding and Treatment of Mental Illness and Related Issues Gary R. Collins in Christian Counseling explains that the Bible does not explain mental disorders per say but, it does give us a greater understanding about the human condition and mans situation as a created being. In the Bible we can learn about virtue, behavior, and mans sinful nature. What the Bible shows us about sin is readily seen in our society today. We see materialism, power, and the persistent criminal and amoral state of man-made institutions. We also can see that God has made a way for us to avoid the ultimate punishment for sin through the Gospel message and that believers in the Church are to care for those with all manner of illness or need. Scripture does however refer to many emotions that are directly connected to mental and behavioral disorders. Collins lists many emotions and states like, anger, lust, jealousy, envy, ambition, impatience, a lack of self-control, orgies, marital infidelity, gluttony, drunkenness, lying, violence, suicide and several other pertinen t examples. Collins goes on to explain that not all mental disorders are the result of sin or poor behavior. He contrasts the plight of Nebuchadnezzar who became ill because of his uncalled-for refusal to obey Gods commands and Job who was an upright man who was seemingly afflicted for reasons outside of his influence. But it is understood that all mental and physical disorders are the symptoms of this sinful world regardless of ones personal responsibility. (Collins, 2007) The Place of Spiritual Growth in the Healing Process According to Shults and Sandage in, Transforming Spirituality spirituality has two main effects on the person. They are a distinct motivation towards action or, a calming of fear, anxiety, and other emotions. Both the arousal and the soothing as the authors describe are necessary depending on the needs of the client. It is similarly noted that the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer is to teach, guide, convict and comfort depending on the situation. What we are trying to do is teach our clients who God is and who they are in relation to Him. We are in essence engaging in the action of discipleship. We want our patients to understand that in Jesus Christ their sins are forgiven and that the reason that they have not lived fulfilling lives is that they just did not have the correct direction or motivation. Being forgiven is one of the most powerful events we can experience. For a person who has been stuck in a spiral of negative consequences it is of the utmost importance that they know that they can become something different than they have ever been. A thief that no longer steals is not a thief anymore. Neither is the adulterer or the liar who has been forgiven and has been changed through sound teaching and the person and work of the Holy Spirit. What we want is for people to only seek their worth from their personal relationship to God because He does not change like society does. The two effects of spiritual growth mentioned before are so very needed. The hurting individual needs to be made to feel safe and understood before they can really engage in serious work with a counselor or helper. Then as they begin to see and comprehend their own growth they are driven to work out their faith and their understanding in new ways. Truly there is a time to be still but, there is also a time to act on our new insights and the new personality we have acquired. (Shults Sandage, 2006/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2007) Scripture Based Counseling Goals, Strategies and Techniques of Change The goal of the Christian counselor is to help clients grow in their ability to love God and those who surround them. We want to enable personal changes in holiness and spiritual depth. This I believe is the way that we can help enable clients to meet the challenges of this life in a way that glorifies God. The Gospel is the answer to the sin problem of mankind and scripture is what we will teach with. Prayer and meditation upon God cements our relationship with Him. We believe that the Bible is able to address every place and problem in life and that the development of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the ultimate answer. Using the scriptures we can learn to understand our problems. We can find answers and solutions to the most sinful and difficult situations in our lives. The Bible teaches us to hope which allows us to be changed by our newly formed faith and the workings of the Holt Spirit. Even Christ taught by using scripture in His ministry so we should also use it as our main tool. We also need to keep in mind that there might be a medical issue involved in our clients problems. Because of this we need to work with physicians and other specialists when necessary. Peter the apostle said, His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him Who called us (2 Peter 1 :3 New International Version) Our goal is the Biblical change to our minds which need to be aligned with the Word. These changes in turn can transform the heart of a person which is more beneficial than just altering ones behavior or personal situation. Because of this counseling should give the client a scriptural understanding of their problem. It should create clarity of the scriptures in regards to the problem at hand and its resolution. It should also put forth a godly plan or solution to the problem, and it should end with a plan and goal to better live your life as a Christian. The end result is that we become more like Jesus. He is the goal. Understanding, Responding to and Managing Client Resistance to Biblical Strategies Whether or not a client completely buys into Biblical counseling as an answer to their personal issues is almost immaterial in my view. We can broach the subject with them and if it is rejected we will still counsel from our worldview as Christians. It is not as if the Bible does not contain truth that can be used indirectly. Gods Word is found in many of our founding documents and even in the legal writings of this country. So, the Biblical presuppositions that we work with are still valid whether or not they are wholly accepted by any person or personality. We have to be able to show that we understand the difficulties inherent in a clients asking for help and that we appreciate their individual situations. The client has to work from their own frame of reference and with the mental and emotional abilities that they currently have. Our job is to create an atmosphere where they feel safe and secure in the midst of sometimes overpowering personal feelings, emotions and new realities. All types of resistance are a likely possibility but, once we get to the point where a true therapeutic relationship has been built we can be of more influence and are more likely to incorporate the reading of scripture and discussions about biblical themes more readily. There simply has to come a point where as counselors we are trusted by the clients enough that they allow us to take them where they need to go, which is to the Gospel. (Cavanagh Levitov, 1982/à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹2002) The Intent of Psychology Psychology taken on its own merits is a pseudo-science at best and cannot stand alone on its own virtues as other sciences do. Science is founded on theories and laws, with laws being foundational to ongoing work. Psychology does not have any particular laws to check or balance theorists in their work. What does seem to happen is that political and social forces seem to use psychology for their own ends and betterment. The Church and our society are in danger of being overtaken by various societal activist groups that see Christianity and, Judeo-Christian morality as a threat to their future accomplishments. I believe that this work started in our colleges and universities early in the last century. American schools like Harvard and Yale and, Englands Oxford and Cambridge all began as Christian institutions that now teach evolution and atheistic thought specifically. These are leftist leaning political groups that are anti-capitalist, anti-American, and Anti-God. In my own seminary c oursework, I have encountered text book reading involving concepts like social justice which in my opinion have no place in a Christian worldview. Social justice would seek to take by force that which has been earned so that it could be arbitrarily given to someone else. Nowhere in scripture is mentioned any type of forced giving or anything but an individuals redemption through Christ whereas social justice calls for group or wholesale redemption through the redistribution of wealth and opportunity. Why should my family suffer for the deeds of both black and white slave traders and owners and what they did hundreds of years ago? My ancestors did not live here, nor do we currently benefit from our ethnicity so in essence we are being stolen from through supposedly legal means. In my mind that makes us slaves to this new regime. There are other areas of concern like the DSM. It appears that the American Psychiatric Association can with little fanfare change deviant activities into mainstream and acceptable behaviors. This too is an attack on the Church and a society founded on Biblical principles. We do not want or need to completely integrate Christian faith with Psychology but, we dare not stay uninvolved in this area of study or it will be used against us and society will continue to be corrupted. I believe that I have outlined the manner in which positive integration on our own terms could be established which is through Tans description of purposeful mentoring and personal relationships with professors and therapists with significant understanding and spiritual maturity. The extensive and intentional use of Christian clinical supervisors throughout training enables counselors to develop integration and clinical skills that are Christ-centered, Biblical and well-matched to both Christian and non-believing clients.

Self Discpline

All successful people have self-discipline as it is this quality that aids you to reach your goals. Developing self-discipline for success means you are giving yourself and your goals true and proper respect. It affects your ability to see a project through. It allows you to stay focused on your goal. We are given magnificent ‘birth gifts† – talents, capacities, privileges, intelligences, opportunities – that would remain largely unopened except through our own decision and effort. The pillars of self-discipline is acceptance, will power, hard work, persistence.Self-discipline becomes powerful when combined with passion, goal-setting and planning. Self-discipline is to do the right thing because you want to, not because you have to. Self-discipline is the ability to get yourself to take action, regardless of your emotional state or how you feel about it. Self-discipline is to accept responsibility and do what is expected of you. It is the ability to exercise control over one's behaviour or emotions. It is organised resilience. It is the ability to control unnecessary and harmful impulses.It is inner power to overcome the desire to indulge in unnecessary and useless habits and an inner strength. Self-discipline is to act with integrity. To choose between what is right and what is wrong, to balance individual needs with the needs of others and to understand moral values and follow rules. Self-discipline is also to manage time, thoughts and physical actions to reach your goal. It is a type of selective training, creating new habits of thought, action, and speech toward improving yourself and reaching your goals.Self-discipline is the active agent that drives inspiration into reality. It gives you the will power to reject immediate satisfaction for something better. How to Become Self-Disciplined Be quick to break habits that can break you. Hasten to adopt practices that will become habits to help you succeed. Everyone wants more self-disc iple as it gives us control over our lives. We do want to take charge of ourselves, control our temper, appetite, laziness and more. No one is born with self-discipline, it is learnt through practice.Building self-discipline is like building a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger it becomes. As it takes muscle to build muscle, it takes self-discipline to build self-discipline. The more self-disciplined you become, the easier it gets. We use progressive weight training to build muscle. This means lifting weights that are close to your limit. Similarly, to build self-discipline, is to tackle challenges that can be successfully accomplished but which are near your limit. It is not trying and failing; it is not staying in your comfort zone.You will gain no strength trying to lift a weight that you cannot budge, nor weights that are too light. Learn how to lift the right weight for your life through a home business that specializes in self-development. As a home business opportuni ty, Empowering Lives help parents achieve the goal of raising contented, confident and compassionate children through our bully prevention and self-development programs while setting the example of parents whom are successful and can reach their goals!

One of the Greatest Founding Fathers of America

Alexander Hamilton was one of the Continental Army officers, who served George Washington during the American war of Independence. Hamilton prevailed over the greatest difficulties and miseries like penury and illegitimacy, while gaining the auspicious position as aide-de-camp to George Washington. Hamilton and Washington work hand in hand for more than quarter of century during the Revolutionary War, Hamilton helped Washington in framing the Constitution, and finally the Presidency of the US. The unyielding reputation Alexander Hamilton had enjoyed during the Revolutionary War put him among the greatest heroes of American history.Hamilton was the strongest advocate of the Constitution, and his contribution to the substance of American government is incomparable. Even today after the passage of two centuries, Hamilton’s importance remains unmatched. He will always be remembered for his financial prowess, principled politics, intellectual depth, and hard work. $10 bill of US cu rrency still reminds us of the only non-presidential face besides Franklin to appear on currency note. Hamilton’s Early Life Alexander Hamilton’s early life was not an auspicious by any means; he was born in 1755 in the British West Indies.His father, James Hamilton, was a merchant, could not come to America because of debt. Hamilton’s mother, Rachel Fawcett, had to depended upon friends and family to survival in the new land. When Hamilton reached the age of ten, the family moved to a small island of St. Croix, where his mother could not survive more than few months. Although Hamilton could not get the proper school education, but he excelled himself as a mercantile clerk upon the encouragement of friends and relatives. His formal education began when a Presbyterian minister Reverend Hugh Knox gave a sermon, which proved inspiring to him.Reverend Hugh Knox raised funds to send Alexander away to school in 1773. He entered Kings College in 1774. â€Å"He was qui te a mature young man, with a strong grasp on political issues with a working knowledge of British and American government, which he exhibited in a series of anonymous pamphlets so discerning; they were attributed to John Jay. He was only 17 at the time†. (Frisch, 33) Hamilton’s Military Career In 1775, he discontinued his education, and on March 1776 he founded a volunteer military company.He was then commissioned as Captain of the Provincial Company on New York Artillery. He demonstrated immense talent and intellect in his duties with artillery that Nathanael Green took notice of him. â€Å"He was asked to serve on the staff of Lord Stirling, which he declined, and continued his career with the artillery effectively at Long Island, Harlem Heights, White Plains†¦ as well as seeing action at Trenton and Princeton in the New Jersey campaign†. (Cooke, 71) Hamilton did not study military history and tactics in any institution but developed the military acumen o n his own.Hamilton led a successful raid for British cannon in the Battery, the capture of which resulted in the Hearts of Oak becoming an artillery company thereafter. Through his connections with influential New York patriots like Alexander McDougall and John Jay, he raised his own artillery company of sixty men in 1776, drilling them, selecting and purchasing their uniforms with donated funds, and winning their loyalty; they chose the young man as their captain. Association with George Washington In the campaign of 1776 around New York, Hamilton’s proficiency and bravery got the attention of George Washington.After Hamilton's gallantry and heroic accomplishment displayed at the crucial engagement at Trenton, he was appointed an aide to General Washington. In this position his writing skills and keen sense of judgement would prove essential to the highest command in the army. The 1777 winter encampment at Morristown, New Jersey, found Hamilton with an army of well under 10, 000. The army, however, was reinforced steadily as the winter progressed into spring. During this time Hamilton recorded, â€Å"the many deserters coming in from the enemy showed them to be in desperate straits†¦Since the possibility that the French might enter the war in Europe would disincline the British from sending reinforcements overseas†. (Flexner, 77) Hamilton spent the winter of 1777-1778 with Washington and the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Hamilton’s Non-military/Political Career Hamilton began his non-military career soon after the Revolutionary War. After three months of intensive study of the law in Albany, New York, Hamilton was admitted to the bar in July of 1783. Then, after the British army evacuated New York City, he opened his law office at 57 Wall Street.Hamilton also continued with his political endeavors. He served in Congress from 1782 to 1783, was elected to the Continental Congress, and founded the Bank of New York in February of 1784 . Once elected, Hamilton remained politically active all of his life. He prepared but did not present a proposal calling for a convention with full powers to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead, he became one of the prime movers for calling the Annapolis Convention. At the Annapolis Convention in September of 1786, Hamilton served as one of three delegates from New York.â€Å"He supported Madison in inducing the Convention to exceed its delegated powers and personally drafted the call to summon the Federal Convention of May 1787 at Philadelphia. At that Convention, Hamilton again represented New York as one of three delegates†. (Goebl,, 127) Rivalry with Jefferson Considering Hamilton in relation to Thomas Jefferson is instructive. During their lives, the two men engaged each other in a titanic struggle over the form of the United States government and its relationship to society. In a directly parallel fashion, the public images of the two men also have been in per petual contention.â€Å"Yet while Hamilton and the Federalists were able to seize the reins of power in the 1790s and institute many of their programs, it is Jefferson who, in the long run, captured the imagination and love of the American people†. (Syrett, 82) Last Years Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton had been on friendly terms for years, but after fifteen years of having every political aspiration thwarted by Hamilton, Burr was seething with anger and itching for revenge. Burr's loss in the governor's race led him to challenge Hamilton to a duel. On July 11, 1804 in Weehawken, New Jersey, Burr exacted his revenge on his nemesis with a single shot.Alexander Hamilton died from the wound on July 12, 1804 in New York City. Works Cited Cooke, Jacob E. , The Reports of Alexander Hamilton, New York: Harper & Row, 1964. Frisch, Morton J. , Selected Writings and Speeches of Alexander Hamilton, Washington/London: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 1985. Goeb l, Julius, The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton, Vols. I & II, New York: Columbia University Press, 1964, 1969. Syrett, Harold C. , The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, Vols. 1-27, New York/London: Columbia University Press Flexner, James T. , The Young Hamilton. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1978.

The Theme of Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay

The Theme of Young Goodman Brown This essay intends to develop an interpretation of the theme of â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†. To come by a clear notion of the theme of â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† is no easy task, thanks to the confusing style of the author. As A.N. Kaul says in the â€Å"Introduction† to Hawthorne – A Collection of Critical Essays: Because Hawthorne was much given to evasions, mystifications, and prevarications of various sorts, because he repeatedly confuses the issues by shying sway from them, because he often talks of his fiction in terms of misty legends and faded blooms, because, in short, he seems frequently to disclaim his own vital interests, we must take care not to lose from sight those†¦show more content†¦Evil â€Å"becomes a monster with which he cannot cope. . . .† F.N. Cherry discovered a source in one of Cervantes’ Novelas ejemplares, â€Å"The Colloquy of the Dogs,† which contains all the important motifs of Hawthorne’s tale [â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†]. It is the life history of the dog Berganza, who is young and inexperienced at first, but gains insight into appearance and reallity, hypocrisy and righteousness, trying hard, at the same time, not to become cynical, though, as a dog, he has every right to be. The climax of his story is the meeting wi th an old witch, who. . . . (89-90) I’m sure that the close resemblance between this dog-tale and Hawthorne’s tale is not a very complimentary testimony regarding the theme of the latter. Terence Martin in Nathaniel Hawthorne talks about the difficult theme of â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†: Assumed in the tale is a radical distinction between dream life and real life; the question proposed to Goodman Brown is into which of these categories good and evil naturally belong. At the outset of the story, Faith asks her husband to postpone his journey until sunrise and sleep in his own bed that night. . . . Mulling over the guilty purpose that has brought him into the forest, Goodman Brown recalls Faith’s talk of dreams. . . . In the forest he goes through a dreamlike experience. . . . The devil, furthermore, introduces a further notion of a dream. . . . Thus the counterpoised terms, dream andShow MoreRelated The Themes in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay3172 Words   |  13 PagesThe Themes in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† the reader finds several themes. These will be discussed in this essay.    Morse Peckham in â€Å"The Development of Hawthorne’s Romanticism† explains what he interprets Hawthorne’s main theme to be:    Once the self has been redeemed from society it can be explored in its own terms, and for this purpose Hawthorne developed his peculiar use of emblematic allegory. . . . This technique,Read MoreAn Analysis of Theme in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essays860 Words   |  4 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne, in his short story â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† details the frailty of human morality when he has the story’s protagonist (Goodman Brown) journey through the forest on All Hollows Eve to witness/participate in a witches’ Sabbath just to see what evil/sin is all about. During Young Goodman Brown’s journey, his faith is shaken as he witnesses those he respects the most also journeying to and participating in the witch’s Sabbath. In â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† Nathaniel Hawthorne demonstratesRead MoreEssay about Theme of Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown3036 Words   |  13 Pagesâ€Å"Young Goodman Brown† –   Theme  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚   The themes in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† are not as obvious as might be expected. This essay intends to present an interpretation of the tale along the lines of theme.    In reading Hawthorne’s tales, Herman Melville in â€Å"Hawthorne and His Mosses† (in Literary World, August 17, 24, 1850) makes discoveries relevant to the themes:    Where Hawthorne is known, he seems to be deemed a pleasant writer, with a pleasant styleRead MoreThemes And Imagery In Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown802 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Young Goodman Brown† written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a short narrative following the journey, both literal and metaphorical, of a young man, Goodman Brown. He sets off into the woods, meeting a rather interesting man who is quickly likened to the devil. Throughout the story, Hawthorne does use imagery to imply that the character depicting the devil influenced Goodman Brown to follow a path of evil. However, he also is careful to show that while the â€Å"devil† was an influence, it was ultimately GoodmanRead MoreThe Theme Of Faith In Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown945 Words   |  4 PagesHawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†, is a coming of age story of saints and sinners. Goodman Brown, our main character and narrator, leads us through his experience of the forest and the t emptations to give into sin. Yet, it seems he is the most affected within this journey, by his wife of 3 months—Faith. Faith, as well as the puritan society’s as a whole—is represented as innocence and pure. As the story progresses any reader can conclude that not one member of the puritan society is untainted fromRead MoreThe Dichotomy of Self Reliance and Conformity1169 Words   |  5 PagesRomanticism Period. An incredible number of miraculous masterpieces were contrived during this period of enlightenment, including Nathaniel Hawthorne’s dramatically thematic and ambiguous short story, â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†, as well as Ralph Waldo Emerson’s intriguingly influential and uplifting essay, â€Å"Self-Reliance†. Hawthorne’s writing aspires to implicate theories and themes about the reality of the world we live in and to illustrate our individual limitations through the art of symbolism and irony. EmersonRead MoreAnalysis O f Young Goodman Brown1179 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Young Goodman Brown† is an odd story with a deeper meaning than is apparent on the surface. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote his short story â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† in 1835 with what seems like the intentions of gothic and romance features. However, looking further into the story of â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† it is clear to see that there is a possibility that the imagery displayed can lead to some interesting theories behind Hawthornes purpose, imagery, and symbolism in the text. Throughout the story, HawthorneRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s Young Goodman Brown1065 Words   |  5 PagesWhen it comes to the topic of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown, most of us will readily agree that duplicity is a major theme in the piece, or the idea of different versions of reality. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of whether Hawthorne is implying that man is inherently evil. Whe reas some are convinced that Young Goodman Brown was good until tainted by the Devil, others maintain that he was evil from the beginning and was completely aware of the evil heRead More Ambiguity in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay1743 Words   |  7 PagesAmbiguity in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚         There is no end to the ambiguity in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†; this essay hopes to explore this problem.    Peter Conn in â€Å"Finding a Voice in an New Nation† makes a statement regarding Hawthorne’s ambiguity:      Almost all of Hawthorne’s finest stories are remote in time or place. The glare of contemporary reality immobillized his imagination. He required shadows and half-light, and he sought a nervous equilibriumRead MoreYoung Goodman Brown, by Nathaniel Hawthorne865 Words   |  4 Pagesequally, if not more, serpent-like staff carrying dark companion. This respectable man is Young Goodman Brown, as portrayed in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†. The forest is only a small part of the setting, as this also takes place in a village in Salem Massachusetts and surrounding area the year 1692. The mood is heavy with superstition, confusion, doubt, betrayal, and shallowness. Goodman Brown sets the exposition as he parts with his sweet, pink-capped wife, Faith, to leave at