PSY 763 - Psychology and Christianity III: Biblical Anthropology and Axiology

Units: 3
When Offered: Fall
Building on the first two courses in this four-course series, students explore a biblical anthropology of the self-rooted in the Christian meta-narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration-applying this understanding to the foundations of clinical psychology. Referred to as an “integrationist” approach, students competently integrate a Christian view of the human self into previously-established theoretical and empirical models within clinical psychology so as to help Christian clients ameliorate suffering. Students also develop the ability to start from a Christian view of the self, exploring ways to build theoretical and empirical models that are rooted in the Bible in order to help Christian clients heal, integrating clinical psychology as a way to strengthen a distinctly Christian view of the self. Areas of investigation, from an “integrationist” perspective, include spiritual development models, along with “Christian psychology” topics of consideration, such as human sin, shame, a two- or three-part view of the self, and Jesus’ call to self-denial. These themes, among others, are applied to clinical practice, including the assessment and treatment of Christian clients in psychotherapy. Students also review axiological considerations in clinical practice, focusing on biblical values and the similarities and differences between the values promoted within the pages of the Bible and those explicated within clinical psychology. An “integrationist” view is presented, identifying points of overlap between clinical psychology and the Bible, as well as a “Christian psychology” perspective, exploring distinctly Christian understandings on the role that biblical virtues play in enhancing clinical work with Christian clients.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 762