In Why You Should Forgive and How to Do It, Evertt Worthington (n.d.) talks about
the concept of forgiveness. Worthington applies a Levels of Explanation view to
the analysis of forgiveness. Myers (2010) states that the Levels of Explanation
view uses a concept of multi-layered reality to separate the different levels of
analysis or explanations, so "each academic discipline provides a perspective
from which we can view nature and our place in it" (p. 51). The different levels
range from the basic building blocks of physics and chemistry to higher-level
assents of theology and philosophy. The social sciences, such as psychology, fall
in the middle of the spectrum. Each level provides a different perspective on the
subject being examined and is complementary, fitting together coherently but
separately (Myers, 2010). This approach allows different viewpoints to co-exist
because an either-or scenario is unnecessary since each examination operates
separately.
c c c c c c c c c c Dr. Worthington clearly articulated the distinctions between a Christian
and psychological perspective when speaking on forgiveness. Worthington looks
to the Bible to understand the concept of forgiveness and the reasons forgiveness
is essential to all humans. However, when discovering how to apply forgiveness,
Worthington seeks answers from psychology instead of Christianity. Worthington
states that the Bible provides information about forgiveness but does not provide
solutions on how to forgive (Worthington, n.d.). Thus, the separation between
Biblical and psychological areas is evident. Theology and psychology are relegated
to distinct levels of analysis, and each provides information that is separate from
the other explanations. Similarly, psychology, apart from Scripture, offers the
methods needed to help individuals forgive.
In The Science of Virtue: Why Positive Psychology Matters to the Church, Dr.
McMinn demonstrates an integrated view of psychology and Christianity. Jones
(2010) defines the integration of Christianity and psychology as "living out—in this
particular area—of the lordship of Christ over all of existence by our giving his
special revelation—God's true Word—its appropriate place of authority in
determining our fundamental beliefs about and practices toward all of reality and
toward our academic subject matter in particular" (p. 102). While describing the
roots of positive psychology, McMinn explains that positive psychology began by
investigating Christian virtues. Religion was then removed from the constructs to
enable scientific study to occur. The integration that McMinn proposes brings
Christianity back to be the starting point of the research. Through a Christian
understanding of the topic, concepts are enriched, and psychology can be brought
back into the church (McMinn, n.d.).
c c c c c c c c c c The Levels of Explanation and Integration approaches study psychological
phenomena through different approaches. The differences are seen in how the
constructs of forgiveness and gratitude are examined through both methods. Both
views believe that although numerous studies show that forgiveness improves
health, relationships, spiritual life, and many other areas of well-being, the benefits
cannot be the motivation for genuine forgiveness. The reason individuals need to
forgive is because God first forgives us. However, how do psychologists help
individuals forgive for the right reasons and not pursue selfish desires?
Distinctions appear in each view's methods to help individuals forgive, with each
path leading in different directions. Levels of Explanation turn first to psychology
to find solutions while eliminating Scripture from providing a way to forgiveness.
Worthington believes that psychologists can teach people how to forgive using
methods such as REACH or other psychological interventions (Worthington, n.d.).
The Levels of Explanation view thinks that answers can be found through
psychology alone while maintaining the separation of the disciplines.
Conversely, McMinn (n.d.) encompasses a distinctly Christian worldview
throughout all research. While examining constructs, such as forgiveness and
gratitude, the goal is to enhance the constructs by integrating Christianity into the
investigation with psychology. The disciplines are not separated into different
levels but integrated to work together. Instead of claiming that the Bible does not
provide answers on how to forgive, an Integration approach believes both the
Church and Scripture significantly contribute to the enhancement of constructs.
Reconciliation is seen as a necessary part of forgiveness because of the Biblical
mandates of Scripture (McMinn, n.d.).
On the contrary, Worthington views reconciliation as a wholly separate and
nonessential aspect of forgiveness in the Levels of Explanation view. An
Integration approach understands that reconciliation is not always possible, but
the pursuit or longing should be pursued. Similarly, a Biblical perspective is
evident in the pursuit of truth in all areas, and Scripture is not viewed as unhelpful
in offering guidance.
c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c References
Johnson, E. L. (Ed). (2010). Psychology and Christianity, five views. Downers Grove,
IL: InterVarsity Press.
McMinn, M. (n.d.). The science of virtue: Why positive psychology matters to the
church. Retrieved from https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/268499/pages/watch-
the-science-of-virtue-why-positive-psychology-matters-to-the-
church?module_item_id=29352707
Worthington, E. (n.d.). Why you should forgive and how to do it. The Table
Conference. Retrieved from
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/268499/pages/watch-why-you-should-forgive-
and-how-to-do-it?module_item_id=29352697
