Christian theology and positive psychology: An exchange of gifts

2016/09/29 by Ellen T. Charry, Russell D. Kosits · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Psychology · #Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology #Optimism, Hope, and Well-being #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

paper · doi:10.1080/17439760.2016.1228010

openalex publication_date 2016/09/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22

Abstract

Psychological science and Christian theology, it would seem, are two very different disciplines with meager reasons for collaboration or friendship and many reasons for suspicion and isolation. Objections to friendship from both parties contain valid concerns and insights, but also misunderstandings and blind spots. Properly understood, however, Christian theology has much to learn from positive psychology, and positive psychology has much to gain from Christian theology. Still, the fruitfulness of this friendship will be limited until psychology embraces a worldview pluralism in which all psychologists are given appropriate space to explore the pre-theoretical influences on their work.

Citations

• How Do Simple Positive Activities Increase Well-Being?
• The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions.
• Enhancing well‐being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: a practice‐friendly meta‐analysis
• Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals

Cited by

• Ellen Charry [wikipedia]

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