Father Krzysztof Grzywocz, a professor at the University of Opole in Poland, reflected on the spiritual life and presented his concepts of a wrongly understood faith. He went even further and called these the “pathologies of faith”. His insights focus on how faith, when misunderstood or distorted, can depart from its authentic purpose of leading people to God and inner freedom, and bring people into believing something that is not true. According to Grzywocz, these pathologies often stem from an imbalance or lack of integration between faith, reason, and human experience. They often arise when one dimension is overemphasized or distorted, often leading to fear, rigidity, or disconnection from God and others. On the other hand, Grzywocz emphasized that an authentic faith is a balance of trust, reason, emotion, and action, rooted in love and freedom. His work invites believers to examine their faith life honestly and strive for a more mature, integrated, and healthy spirituality. In this article, we will examine one important “pathology of faith”, which is “Faith as Fear” and offer strategies to deal with this.
Faith as Fear
“Faith as Fear” occurs when fear, rather than love, becomes the main driving force behind a person’s relationship with God and her/his practice of the faith. This condition twists the true nature of faith (which is a response to God’s love and mercy) and makes it a burden rather than a source of freedom and joy.
What are the characteristics of “Faith as Fear”?
There are several visible characteristics which show a person’s unbalanced approach towards faith and God: 1) The image of God as a “harsh judge”. People with this inaccurate view, see God primarily as someone who punishes wrongdoers rather than as a loving Father. This leads to a constant sense of being guilty and fear of divine retribution, even for minor or unintended faults. 2) Obsession with Rules and Scrupulosity. When this becomes more important than the living God, faith becomes reduced to following a set of rules strictly out of fear of sin or error. Scrupulosity then often develops and as a result, one becomes overly concerned with whether her/his actions and thoughts are sinful or not. 3) Lack of Trust in God’s Mercy. This is an inability to fully accept God’s forgiveness or to believe that He, as the Creator and Savior loves us unconditionally. Individuals may therefore feel that they are never “good enough” for God, which may lead to anxiety and even despair. 4) Fear of the Unknown or Eternal Damnation. Forgetting about God who is the loving Father and the Creator with whom we are in a relationship with, faith can be reduced to strictly a means of avoiding hell, rather than entering into a relationship with God rooted in love and trust. This leads to a spirituality that is dominated by anxiety of the afterlife. 5) Reluctance to Engage with the world. A “fearful faith” may often lead to a withdrawal from society or a rigid rejection of anything perceived as “secular” to avoid contamination by sin. It separates the person not only from God, but also from the world.
What are the origins of a Fear-Based Faith?
Most common is a “misguided catechesis”, such as i) overemphasis on sin, punishment, and hell in religious education, without the proper balancing of these matters with the message of God’s mercy and love, and ii) a lack of understanding of the Gospel as “Good News” therefore leading to a belief that is false. Other factors may be iii) trauma or emotional factors, iv) experiences of rejection, many different forms of abuse, or authoritarianism in one’s family or faith community can project onto one’s image of God, v) fear of authority figures which translate into the fear of God, and vi) cultural or societal influences (eg. in some religious contexts, fear is used as a tool to enforce conformity or obedience).
What are the consequences of “Faith as Fear”?
The consequences are:
1) Spiritual Paralysis. Fear suppresses growth in faith. It makes it difficult for individuals to explore deeper questions or take spiritual risks and does not allow the person to trust in God. Therefore, instead of leading to joy and freedom, faith becomes a source of anxiety and constraint. 2) Breakdown of our Relationship with God. Fear creates a sense of distance from God, and an individual person feels unworthy to approach Him. Prayer then becomes a duty rather than a dialogue of love. It may even lead towards the abandonment of the faith. 3) Judgmental Attitude Toward Others. A person dominated by fear may project her/his own insecurities onto others, becoming overly critical or rigid. This can lead to legalism and a lack of compassion in dealing with others’ struggles.
What are the healing strategies for “Faith as Fear”?
There are several strategies which can help a person bring back the true faith: i) The person needs to rediscover the true image of God. She/he must encounter God as a loving Father, who, as is revealed by Jesus Christ, always seeks a relationship with His children, ii) Meditate on Scriptures like the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) which exemplifies the love of God towards His children, or passages which emphasize God’s mercy and love such as Romans 8:38-39 which can really be eye-openers, iii) She/he can try to learn to trust God’s Mercy. Regular participation in the sacraments, especially Reconciliation, can help people experience God’s forgiveness in a tangible way. Spiritual direction can also provide guidance in overcoming scrupulosity, iv) Balance fear with love. A healthy fear of God (Timor Dei) is awe and respect for His majesty, not terror, v) Understand that true faith involves both reverence and intimacy. This balance is rooted in the knowledge that God’s commandments are for our good, not traps to ensnare us, and vi) Deepening of one’s spiritual formation can be helpful. A sound catechesis as well as spiritual reading can correct misunderstandings about the nature of sin, grace, and salvation. Writings from saints who emphasize God’s mercy (e.g., those of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Faustina Kowalska) can be particularly helpful.
Conclusion
“Faith as Fear” is a distortion that misrepresents the heart of the Christian message: the love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ. Healing this distortion involves rediscovering God’s infinite mercy, growing in trust, and embracing the joy and freedom that come from a faith rooted in love rather than fear. Fr. Grzywocz’s insights remind us that true faith leads to inner peace and a deeper communion with God and others. Key Scriptural Passages to reflect on:
- “Perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
- “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10)
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
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