Pathological

In the course of ministry, one is likely to encounter a pathology called (click here for an essay on the subject) Pathological Antagonism. A pathology is an unhealthy mental turn, while antagonism in this case is a kind of all-inclusive antagonism towards some person (or body). Three easy questions help identify this pathology: a) Does this person speak any good about the person who is the focus of their antagonism? b) Do they routinely put a negative slant on things where better or common-sense interpretations may be found with contemplation? And c) is this person acting Biblically -- for instance, dealing with matters confidentially, recognising the role of pastoral staff, and so on? OBSERVATION: A sad thing about pathological antagonism is that Christians are not well educated in pathologies, to recognise them or for that matter deal with them while they work their harm. Many say that pathological antagonism is not in fact a pathology, but a classic spiritual problem.