Page 64 - Advanced Biblical Counseling Student Textbook

(photo: theenhancedme.blogspot.com)
What are your thoughts on Maslow’s hierarchy? Does it make sense that if the bottom needs are met,
we are motivated to reach the next level of needs? What would Aron Ralston say about his motivation
to live? If we were in class, we would have a discussion on whether it is possible to meet these needs
out of order. Is it possible to need a home but be motivated to have nurturing relationships? Can we be
motivated to study and learn without having shelter or food? Mahatma Gandhi chose to hunger strike
to protest violence. He was motivated to make a political statement and bring about change more than
he was motivated to eat. This goes against Maslow’s hierarchy.

You’ll also notice there is little room for a belief in God in Maslow’s hierarchy. Years after he developed
his pyramid, he added self-transcendence to the top of the pyramid. This includes pursuing spiritual
meaning but does not specifically refer to God. Let’s read an article written by a Christian counselor and
pastor named F. Dean Hackett:

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