Where's God When the World is Falling Apart

[@dordtrecht5]

This is probably one of the most profound testimonials. I just found out about Jenna. She’s absolutely remarkable in her explanation. Love this. I’m weeping.

[@hlmannea]

You leave me with tears of joy and hope and everything in me knows the depth of the truth you have spoken. The outworking of the word of God.

[@heathersmith5662]

Wow! Absolutely brilliant. You articulate this crossover so well. Thank you for following your call and sharing. And I agree, there are not enough IFS therapists in the world! To the shared journey.

[@Jonathan-hn8bg]

Thankyou Jenna and Dick. I think I may have become Born Again , again.

[@bw2442]

It feels good knowing I’m not the only one who argues with the creator of the universe😁. He drags us kicking and screaming into the blessings. Very elequent talk,

[@ginaiosef]

I would like so much that we all could set aside our own and personal religious beliefs and communicate in an spiritual common comprehensive and compassionate language, thank you

[@grateful1947]

Excellent. Thank you!

[@soanna4961]

Thank you Jenna and Dick, this was wonderful...would love to hear more about IFS in a Christian context.

[@Andrew-yw6kt]

Absolutely! Especially from an Eastern Orthodox Christian perspective.

[@janeboltezar1458]

Okay, so my practice and understanding pivots in this moment. Thank you Jenna

[@poc4dw]

Wow! As a Christian practitioner who is drawn to IFS, I love this video

[@jessicamceachern23]

Thank you so much for this fruit of the spirit!

[@bjorgmarteinsdottir6200]

Amazing and so wonderful! Here is the thing, we are all spirit children of God. Each a beloved child of heaven parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny. Think of it ..a divine nature..intrinsic to who we are , inherited from our heavenly parents and requires no effort on our part. This is our most important identity. This is Self to me. Richard and Jenna, thank you both. All this touches me deeply. My eyes have been opened.

[@lynnoe6147]

Excellent.....I relate and you make it lighter with humor description!!!

[@SuzieQuzie1987]

Beautiful integration of Christianity with IFS!

[@marytucker221]

Adam was a prototype of man that God tested. Before Adam ate the apple, he had no shame, no blame shifting existed. He had perfect unity and love from God and was placed in a perfect environment. He had suffered no abuse or sin done on to him. In that perfect 'heart space' he chose to sin and do wrong. This is the 'original sin' that all mankind carry within them. Even if we perfectly integrate ourselves and perfectly return to our 'heart space' we are still inclined to sin against the creator. That is why we need Christ to pay the penalty for us and make us a brand new creation in Christ. Jesus did what Adam could not do, live a perfect life (under much less perfect conditions!) and Jesus offers us a trade, Our sins for His perfect obedience. A completely unfair and yet merciful and deeply loving trade. IFS does not need to change the word of God to justify themselves. There is much good to be found in the idea of parts and working with our shame and fears. I have found much wonderful integration from a fragmented self by doing such internal work. In fact the Christian should be encouraged to not be afraid to look at what is the shadow or at exiled selves, because these parts of ourselves are forgiven and already known by God and also He has already paid the price and made peace with us even when we were still His enemies.

[@courtneybrubaker9738]

I see it differently. I see Jesus/Trinity as being willing to go to all our disconnected parts to show us “sin” does not cause shame, loss of love from Them so show us we were never alone, never will. Inside all of us is where They’ve always been.

[@sv8156]

Mary Tucker, well said!! As I see it, she is subtly promoting new age teachings when speaking of "energy" of Jesus through a distorted picture of God's word. "AND NO MARVEL, SATAN HIMSRLF IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT" (2 CORINTHIANS 11:14).

[@TS-yd6cn]

Yes there's a difference between saying God WITH us and 'God within us'.

[@claref7219]

She understands IFS very well. Christianity & the Bible, not so much. I'm an ex- Evangelical, & there ain't no way a Christian well-versed in biblical teaching would ever accept her version of Christianity. But I'm finding it interesting to hear how she makes the (erroneous) connections.

[@tawanalee5544]

I loved the last question and response about couple sessions. Timely for me although the video is old. 😊 One half of a couple just asked me about the time being spent on their spouse. He understood my answer but I like this one better. 😂

[@annthelen]

Amazing..so helpful!!! Thank you!

[@Peem_pom]

In Christianity we do believe that the holy spirit was bestowed upon us when Jesus left earth, i believe holy spirit = self, just as you said, which is why encountering IFS made sense to me so much, all my belief growing up in xtianity and also being interested in Buddhism became clear though IFS

[@robynvanderzee2844]

This is fabulous

[@mirzalugardo4005]

Thank you.

[@MatthewPaulBuccheri]

RTS in Mississippi in particular, and the Reformed world in general, unfortunately, follow the Augustinian model that got traction through church history via Luther, Calvin and the Reformation, each highlighting "total depavity" in the post-fall situation and also "original sin." The Easter Orthodox Church, however, begins with original grace, and the goodness of humanity, which is more in line with IFS's methodology. Furthermore, Augustine conflated the image and the likeness of God (Gen 1:26). Easter Christianity while agreeing with the premise that humanity is endowed with the imago dei (which the Latin or Western Church agrees with as well), some of the the Eastern Church Fathers posited that while humanity was endowed with the image of God, unfortunately, after the "fall," while retaining the image, it was the "likeness" of God that was lost. And it is, therefore, in the redemptive drama of embracing Christ that the *process* of restoring the likeness occurs. This I believe is fully dovetails with IFS's thinking. I hope this clarifies things for some.

[@Andrew-yw6kt]

I'm Eastern Orthodox and pray we could use this information

[@Andrew-yw6kt]

I'm new to IFS. Just now reading his book and I just ordered her book. Have you gone thru any IFS therapy?

[@michaelworshamGodisLove]

With regard that everyone's core self is good pure and and in particular to Jenna's Christian perspective... untarnished image of God... This idea really goes against what the majority of Christianity has been taught concerning mankind's spiritually lost in bankrupt State and in need of an external savior.... However even though the majority does not think or has not been taught this idea of God being the true self in every human being.... I think it is a Wiley hidden mystery that can be found when one's eyes are opened to the idea especially communicated in Paul's account of his conversion experience on the road to Damascus when he said later that when God was pleased to reveal his son in me... What does that mean except that he was already there but hidden by the "exiles"

[@michaelworshamGodisLove]

❤❤❤

[@iaindcosta]

Love your neighbour as you LOVE YOURSELF

[@bealivingmiracle]

Very informative interview. Since all the parts of a person are good, dying to self is releasing a "burdened part" with the gift and power of the God image (is sin then just a negative impulse of a juvenile part?). If so, then what is Jenna's theology or the IFS explanation of sin based on the following statement, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin." (John 8:34)? How does Jenna reconcile the following statement about spiritual freedom by Jesus and what IFS promises to clients, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)?

[@nickmeeder]

I agree that Jesus walked on earth in the perfect "image of God". The part I would add is that he was the only one who also took upon himself our burdens, our shame, our "exiles", "protectors", and "hiders". This is how he was the fulfillment of the Jewish sacrificial system. We could not work our way back to God, so Jesus as God, came to us. He satisfied the wrath and justice of God against our sin, disobedience, "exiles, protectors, and hiders". Therefore, not only did Jesus model for us what it looked like to perfectly live in the image of God, he also experienced and took upon himself our burdens. He also sat with us and took our shame upon himself through the suffering of the crucifixion. Because we are justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free, in Christ Jesus, from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1-4. I would say from a theological perspective, we have inherent dignified "parts" as image bearers of God. The issue is that without external intervention (ie God redeeming his image in us), we invariably descend into wickedness because of our struggles to satisfy desire outside of God's design. We all struggle with adultery and murder, lust and anger, to be fulfilled outside of God. This was the original deception from the serpent. "You can be like God". Essentially: 'you can be self-fulfilled, self-determined, and create your own world of right and wrong.' This is why God said, "In that day you will surely die." To live apart from God's design, would be to die. Not only physically, but spiritually. We know that the whole creation is fallen as well and longs for liberation from its bondage to decay (Romans 8:21). Isn't this the whole point of Therapy? A therapist (external to the client) works with that person to internalize a new way of relating to his or her broken parts, others, and the world? Isn't this what God has done for us? Left to ourselves, we would've descended further into sin, shame, and wickedness. Yet, Jesus as God and man, came to us and redeemed us. This approach actually makes the client thankful that they were given something freely, that he or she didn't earn or deserve. I don't see how the doctrine of depravity is at odds with IFS. I would say that it has an even better model and approach to IFS than saying a person is "inherently good", because if we were inherently good, wouldn't humanity be working just fine without the intervention of God?

[@sv8156]

I couldn't have said it better myself!!

[@ginaiosef]

You Christian people are so unhappy

[@Peem_pom]

You haven't really understood IFS i think. We were created in Gods image and likeness, and also no one is free from sin. Parts obscure self because God is Love, and until we love our parts and invite them in we cannot transform them and have Self truly love them. You seem to have a part that needs to be rescued. But God has given everything we need already in the gift of self, the holy spirit. And the parts we hate are redeemed by Jesus sacrifice. All exiles are shamed, which is the first sin of the first Adam and Eve. This is what she's trying to explain .

[@nickmeeder]

@@Peem_pom I acknowledge that I don’t have a full understanding of IFS. But from what I have learned, I don’t agree with all of the processes of IFS. So, my response was to integrate my understanding of IFS with true biblical theology. I would agree with you that I still need rescuing. I am not self-filled, self-determined, or self-sufficient. This was the purpose Jesus Christ fulfilled in making atonement for the sins I committed that deserved death and separation from relationship with God. One of the pernicious lies culture and psychology has bought into is this idea that all you need for healing is already within you.

[@Peem_pom]

@@nickmeeder if I believe god has given me all of what I need, knock and the door shall be opened unto me

[@jayjmoi6744]

A problem I have is how meditation in Buddhism and contemplative prayer in Christianity ask us to banish our thoughts, whilst in IFS we are told to talk to these voices (parts) How is this reconciled. Any thoughts?

[@lindasheehan2543]

I think in mediation, or breath work, which works for me- we gently release the parts of ourselves that are NOT the divine. Like a good healthy prairie burn that leaved only the roots of the native plants. So we are left with glimpses of the divine and get a good respite from our silliness. The

[@Peem_pom]

Jesus sat with the sinners. He didn't condemn the woman at the well. Christianity doesn't ask us to banish our thoughts? Where does it say that

[@williammclelland2216]

I reconcile by recognizing that IFS is in line with Christ’s teachings. Here’s how: Christ never commanded us to banish our thoughts. On the contrary, He commanded us to look inwards. In Matthew 7:3 of the NIV, Christ asked us to observe the “plank in [our] own eye,” In my interpretation, Christ is asking us to evaluate our thoughts, feelings and actions. Christ commands us to be mindful, and in my opinion, by talking to these “parts” in IFS, we are being obedient to Christ’s command to be mindful. IFS also focuses on the nature of our “True Selves.” Many Christians have a problem with this because they believe that the Bible teaches us that we’re inherently evil. Again, on the contrary, 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV teaches us that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” We are literal spirit children of a perfect, loving and mighty God. What the Bible calls “the plank in [our] own eye” and what many Christians refer to as our “fallen state”, IFS refers to as our “parts.” What the NIV Bible calls “The Spirit God gave us” (in 2 Tim 1:7), IFS calls our “Self.”

[@Peem_pom]

@@williammclelland2216 well said

[@elliotlee6425]

Appreciated this presentation, but Jenna Riemersma's understanding of original sin is lacking in crucial way in that she does not account for the corruption of language. It's not just that our body remembers or inherits "sin," but so does our "language." I wish she would read On Aquinas by Herbert McCabe.

[@teacherslearn]

We call god "he" so ubiquitously, that it makes it very challenging to accept the existence of such a being. I am beginning to wonder if god is actualy an IT, the IT being LOVE.

[@ruthanneszenasi4057]

Where has this gal been all my life??!? Oh my goodness, this is amazing! "A move toward energy instead of a move away from energy..." I am so TIRED of all the Bible knowledge that has only served to make my spiritualizer part more controlling and critical.

[@maysoonr]

Spiritualit, christianity and IFS therapy

[@PropheticCoachTheresa]

The experience you are describing in your church experience is a works/religious mindset, and not what Jesus taught or God commanded. Sadly, it's all too common in the apostate church in these days and is not rightly dividing or following the Word of God. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are what arises in a person when the Holy Spirit is indwelling in them, which it does when a person becomes born again, accepting that Jesus is the only Son of the only true and living God, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. The Holy Spirit's presence in a born again person's soul produces the gifts of the Holy Spirit by degrees as that person is conformed more and more, over time, into the image of Christ Himself. We are not born in the image of Christ, that is a work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a true believer. God Himself takes out our heart of stone (anger, bitterness, pride, hatred, unforgiveness, self righteousness, rebellion against God) and gives us a heart of flesh (the mind of Christ) and the fruits of the Holy Spirit, as we abide in Him (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). God HIMSELF does that work when we become true believers in Him, and are saved through His Cross. Are we "bad to the bone?" Well, for those who believe the Word of God (the Bible), it says that without salvation, yes, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:11-12. But that is why Jesus came to earth and took our sin upon Himself, and paid the penalty for it, so that all who believe in Him shall be forgiven, saved, and glorified before the throne of Grace, and will rule and reign with Him! "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. We need to understand, the Bible is the true Word of God, and we must learn to rightly divide it: "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." Timothy 4:15-16. Practicing IFS with the real Jesus can bring healing miracles! He is our healer!

[@sv8156]

How do you know it was God or satan that you heard speaking to you?

[@Peem_pom]

How do i know satan didn't write this comment

[@iaindcosta]

..the attributes of God compared to the attributes of Satan can give some clues.. Loving creator who brings peace, joy and freedom compared to the liar, thief and murderer

[@jovitazemljic8141]

Not just black coloured brothers/sisters. Itd be time to start adressing native people. Howk

[@ginaiosef]

Why do this so called "Christianity " is entitled to acquire with so much condescension even the Genesis - the five and first books of Moses /Old Testament / Torah - with so much condescension, when Jesus was a jew born on straw, died covered with shroud and never heard during his life about Christianity or Christians? Maybe he didn't lost anything, he had only brothers and sisters, not a subject nor a boss. I was born orthodox Christian, this means different things to different people in every different place and I like to think now I believe in that Creator of the Universe, the Sun and the Moon, the Stars and the Earth with all its creatures, man and woman included, no race and no colour and no titles, we are all talking hairless talking apes living on the Planet of Apes. Can we get over all this "specialities " we've developed along millenia, it didn't do any good but stuck us in. We have nde-ers that describe better than any theological theory or theologian what Jesus said or tried to when he came on Earth, the life after death and resurrection, the core of Christianity that no Christian believe in. Dr. Schwartz, I think your IFS is life changing and I appreciate you gratefully, thank you

[@person-gs6xr]

The Self can still be sinful if it does not love God, as He is revealed in Scripture, first, and one's neighbour as itself. The second might come naturally to Self, but for those who aren't Christians the Self will not love God. Sin is a corruption of naturally good things. It is not a substance in itself. If the Self's love is not directed at God first and foremost, it is in sin, even if it is compassionate, curious, etc. Those things are what we Calvinists call "common grace", but they are not spiritually good because they are not properly oriented toward God.

[@123gp1833]

There is no god other than Self energy.

[@bak6194]

So good until you had to bring in politics... ☹️☹️☹️