Resourcing a Christian positive psychology from the Sermon on the Mount

Abstract

An important node of overlapping interest between contemporary positive psychology and Christian theology is the issue of human flourishing and the virtues one should pursue to experience this. In this essay, we argue that the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), one of the most important and influential portions of the Christian Scriptures, addresses human flourishing and virtue at a foundational level, providing resources for a robustly Christian understanding of positive psychology. In contrast to positive psychology in general, a Christian positive psychology will prioritize the God-ward (vertical) and Charity (horizontal) virtues, as well as maintaining a vibrant orientation to assured hope for a new era called God’s kingdom.

Keywords:

• Positive psychology
• religion
• Sermon on the Mount
• Christian theology