Better Than an IQ Test
Written by: Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back. ”
I have great respect for the concept and study of “Emotional Intelligence.” When I was growing up, the only intelligence that could be monitored was through standardized tests. IQ tests, PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests were the ways young people were evaluated for future opportunities. I am sure university psychology departments had other tests to determine intelligence, but they didn’t seem to trickle down to the average northern midwestern high school.
Now, Emotional Intelligence tests are as important to overall ability as any other intelligence metric. According to Roy Oswald, and my college professor, Arland Jacobson, in their book, The Emotional Intelligence of Jesus, “Salovey and Mayer defined emotional intelligence as the ‘ability to monitor one’s own and others’ emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions.’ This ability entails five capacities: knowing one’s emotions, managing emotions, motivating oneself, recognizing emotions in others, and handling relationships.” Oswald and Jacobson used the Gospels to evaluate Jesus’ emotional intelligence. Not surprisingly, Jesus had a high emotional level of intelligence.
Jesus was able to monitor the emotions of his Apostles, knowing their individual needs and struggles. He was able to evaluate others’ motivations and thinking, in order to respond to each person in the best possible way. Amidst terribly difficult challenges, Jesus was able to motivate himself and others in transformative ways. Jesus didn’t simply recognize emotions, but Jesus knew how to respond in ways that nurtured, challenged, and motivated others to live their best lives.
The Christian faith is more than simply memorizing Scripture passages or affirming theological treaties. The Christian faith is also a commitment to living a life of Emotional Intelligence, so we can live a Christlike life. Emotional intelligence is more than simply striving to live it ourselves, but to impart it to others, so the Christian Church can overcome adversity and live together in harmony and unity. Today, pray for the wisdom to live with emotional intelligence in your own life. Then, make a commitment to model emotional intelligence so all might find the joy of living. It is a lifelong activity, but true joy is found in emotional intelligence, lived out in Jesus’ name.
