thank you for sharing your insightful response regarding the Grand Narrative and
how it ties to modern psychological theory. Through your analysis, you effectively
tied the concept of creation and redemption to virtues that can be developed to
assist with the process, such as self-control and self-regulation. As both Sproul
and Wolters point out in their works, goodness precedes evil, it is not a
dichotomous relationship, but rather one that has been layered seeing as creation
in itself is the foundational element and it gets plagued by sin (Sproul, Wolters;
2000, 2005). Because we have been granted with free will, there is a fine balance
that we as humans must walk; when individuals experience difficulty in staying
the course and start making poor choices, the Grand Narrative can present a
framework through which good behavior can be restored (Sproul, 2000).
Furthermore, I like how you pointed out that lessons from the past are constantly
resurfacing, and that the sins experienced during biblical times are just as likely
to occur in contemporary society—these sins may be reflected in other ways
seeing as our society has greater access to resources and technology that can
exacerbate an individual’s underlying negative proclivities. These vices must be
kept in check, so that individuals do not resort to criminal activity. d Using the
Grand Narrative, psychologists can take a step by step, systematic approach in
deciphering someone’s behavioral patterns. Psychologists can offer a timeline for
the individual with a planned approach to explore different consequences of their
actions depending on the route they take (Duckworth & Gross, 2014; Mamayek et
al., 2017).
References
Duckworth, A. L., & Gross, J. J. (2014). Self-control and grit: Related but separable
determinants of success. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(5), 319-
325.
Mamayek, C., Paternoster, R., & Loughran, T. A. (2017). Self-control as self-
regulation: A return to control theory. Deviant Behavior, 38(8), 895-916.
Sproul, R.C. (2000). The Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts that
Shaped our World. Crossway.
Wolters, A.M. (2005). Creation Regained (2nd ed.). William B. Eerdmans Publishing.
