This thesis begins with a starting point that the aspects of faith as well as daily lifestyles are influenced by how God representation is defined in individual religious lives. Namely, while a correct point of view about God provides the reinterpreta...
This thesis begins with a starting point that the aspects of faith as well as daily lifestyles are influenced by how God representation is defined in individual religious lives. Namely, while a correct point of view about God provides the reinterpretation of people's lives and new meanings, a distorted point of view begins suggesting issues about several situations that distort individual lives by establishing wrong belief systems. If someone has faith but has distorted God images or distorted God representation, the faith neglects true religious missions that we should do in the world, the individual life is disrupted, losing coherence, and the individual lives a painful life that cannot be recover. Therefore, in order to live a victorious progressive life, it is necessary to examine the issues on 'God representation' objectively while personal spiritual quests do not offend society and each person takes a responsibility in society.
With regard to such premises, the most important task in Christian counseling or pastoral counseling is defined to explore God representation of clients. Distorted God representation is more likely to distort individual faith and life greatly in unconscious psychological dynamics. The healthy relationship with the positive representation of God allows an individual to have a positive attitude and can act as a support that endures difficulties in life. On the other hand, the relationship with God caused by distorted God representation can cause negative impacts on an individual life and, sometimes, can be destructive influences in the life. While distorted recognition or images toward God can cause some problems in religious lives or personal relations, the healthy relationship with God will be developed when it is filled with undistorted, positive, and plentiful images of God.
Generally, people have their own unique images of God due to a variety of factors. This thesis attempts to discuss the formation of private God images, mainly focusing on object relations in psychoanalytic theory. As psychoanalysis offers an opportunity to change individual inner objects and restate the past, it provides a chance to build a new relationship with parents or other important persons. As all things considered, the consultation based on psychoanalysis can be expected to offer an opportunity to change God image.
The process of the study is as follows.