Making Sense of and Responding to the Good and Bad Within Psychology: Common Grace and Antithesis as Tools for Psychology

Abstract

As psychologists and students of psychology make sense of and respond to the good and bad within human behavior and its study, theological tools benefit their discernment. This paper presents two Neocalvinist theological concepts — common grace and antithesis — as tools for psychologists. These concepts help psychologists recognize God’s common gifts to humanity while also identifying what must be corrected. Such applications benefit psychologists in clinical cases and as they consider theoretical frameworks. When used together, these tools encourage us to anticipate both the true, good, and beautiful things in the world and the need at times for redirection. Such anticipation encourages continued witness and service within culture — avoiding both uncritical acceptance and complete rejection of theories and scientific insights