Realpolitik and Divine Filiation

This Becoming Gift segment explores how human instincts, particularly fear and self-preservation, interact with faith ideals at both individual and national levels, drawing a connection to current events. The episode delves into the concept of divine filiation—humanity becoming God's sons and daughters—as a way to leverage the inherent human need for connection and family/tribe and overcome self-interested behaviors amongst individual and nations often called realpolitik.

Key Takeaways:

• Instincts, Faith and Co-regulation: The episode highlights the ongoing tension between human animal instincts (such as the need for food, reproduction, and safety) and the ideals derived from faith. It explains that humans naturally lean into relationships for emotional regulation and safety, a phenomenon called "co-regulation," where nervous systems literally regulate each other, helping people feel safe, social, and connected.

• Divine Filiation as a Foundation for Trust and Global Family: God's invitation for humanity to become His sons and daughters (divine filiation) establishes a familial relationship among people worldwide. This concept fosters a disposition of trust, leveraging the natural human instinct to find safety in one’s family or tribe, thereby promoting unity and trust across nations and peoples. This contrasts with the “state of nature” apart from grace in which instincts foster suspicion a fear between strangers of realpolitik between nations.

• The Consequences of Drifting from Christian Ideals: As Christianity wanes in the world, there is a re-emergence of realpolitik amongst previously Christian nations, a political theory where practical objectives and national self-interest supersede ideals. This shift away from Christian principles is linked to increased mistrust, trade wars, and kinetic conflicts globally, as societies lose the capacity for agape (selfless love) without God's grace, returning to a "state of nature" driven by fear. The ultimate solution for world peace is turning towards Christ, embracing divine filiation, and living out the faith especially through baptism and praying the Our Father.