The Science of Virtue: Why Positive Psychology Matters to the Church
Thank you for your thoughts on the subject matter. I agree with your
thoughts on the differences between the two approaches to studying
psychological phenomena. You state that Dr. McMinn clearly presented
the facts regarding forgiveness and that Dr. Worthington’s views about
positive psychology contrasted with Dr. McMinn’s. However, Dr. McMinn is
the one who spoke about positive psychology in the talk on In The Science
of Virtue: Why Positive Psychology Matters to the Church$(McMinn, n.d.). I
believe that he clearly shows how the integration approach could enhance
the examination of the study of psychological phenomena.
Positive psychology is an example of how scientists can apply the
integration of psychology and Christianity. An integration approach can
enhance current research in positive psychology on constructs such as
forgiveness, gratitude, and flourishing. The Levels of Explanation
approach allows Scripture to inform the topics but disregards its
usefulness in finding solutions to unforgiveness (Worthington, n.d.).
Additionally, while the Levels of Explanation approach claims to rely on
facts, it fails to consider the reality of bias. Jones (2010) states, “The
picture that emerges is that science draws not just on facts but on the
entire complex array of human experience. Indeed, science is the study of
the natural world (including humans), and science is a unique human
endeavor that proposes theories and seeks to evaluate the evidence for
and against them in a way that is challenging, self-critical, progressive
and objective” (p. 114). By acknowledging that bias is unavoidable,
Christians can allow our worldview to shape how we interact with science
(Jones, 2010). If researchers could examine positive psychology without
removing religion from the investigation, the study of the constructs
would be enriched.$
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References
Johnson, E. L. (Ed). (2010).$Psychology and Christianity, five
views.$Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
McMinn, M. (n.d.). The science of virtue: Why positive psychology matters
to the church. Retrieved from
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/268499/pages/watch-the-science-of-
virtue-why-positive-psychology-matters-to-the-church?
module_item_id=29352707
Worthington, E. (n.d.). Why you should forgive and how to do it. The Table
Conference. Retrieved from
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/268499/pages/watch-why-you-should-
forgive-and-how-to-do-it?module_item_id=29352697