ABSTRACT
In the eighth chapter, the themes of biblical anthropology and axiology are explored in the context of psychological theory and research. The teaching that humans exist in the imago Dei results in a “high” anthropology, a view of human beings as unique and especially dignified among all the creatures in the visible universe and, therefore, of greater significance than merely being a highly evolved organism, as is assumed by the worldview of naturalism. It is well documented now that humans flourish best when they live meaningful lives. The robust finding that mental health in the West is associated with religion is likely due, in some part, to the perceived meaningfulness of human beings according to a theistic worldview. The imago Dei teaching means that humans exist in a singular relationship with God, one of dependence and fulfillment. Humans are not self-sufficient beings, but are kept in existence by God, and they find their greatest fulfillment in devotion to God (Adams, 1999)—also known as the love of God (Matthew 22:37)—which gives human life a sense of unity and coherence. Assuming this is true, at least some human misery, for many, may be due to the lack of having a transcendent, orienting person or principle in one’s life. According to the Christian tradition, humans are now alienated from their Creator and, while most are aware of God, they have all lost communion with him. Evidence of this alienation from God is seen in the common experience today of a sense of autonomy and self-sufficient completeness, without God having a preeminent role in one’s life. However, in the absence of a satisfying relation with our Creator, humans have “worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25), indicating that their loves have become disordered. Christians have called this state of alienation and disordered loves “sin.” These themes, among others, are explored in this chapter, paving the way for biblical anthropology and axiology to be applied to a distinctly Christian psychotherapy.
