Parker's Pensées Ep. 276 - The Philosophy & Theology of Humility w/Dr. Mike Austin
Oct 6, 2025
Dr. Mike Austin, a philosophy professor and author, dives deep into the essence of humility, exploring its role in ethics and spiritual formation. He defines humility as an accurate self-image that prioritizes others, contrasting it with honesty and discussing its significance in personal growth. The conversation touches on the integration of humility in masculinity, competition, and even church culture. Mike also shares practical practices to foster a union with God, encouraging listeners to embrace humility as a path to love and faithfulness.
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The 'Dumb' Humility Example
- Parker recounts a teammate who habitually refused compliments and could not accept praise.
- Dr. Austin contrasts that with Usain Bolt, who can truthfully claim greatness yet remain humble about dependence on others.
Twofold Structure Of Humility
- Humility has two core dimensions: how you view yourself and how you relate to others.
- Christian humility centers on relating to others by defaulting to others' interests ahead of your own.
Formation Over Performance
- Spiritual formation is not mere performance or self-optimization; it aims at union with God and Christlikeness.
- Growth is usually gradual, communal, and reliant on grace rather than instant perfection.
