A Reflection of Positive Psychology from the Christian Spirituality Perspective and Constructing Christian Positive Psychology and Its Soul C.A.R.E.S. Model

On the Positive Psychology ApproA Reflection of Positive Psychology from the Christian Spirituality Perspective and Constructing Christian Positive Psychology and Its Soul CARES Modelpriated by Hope-Based Christian Counseling

Simon Yiu-chuen LEE

Since 1998, Martin Seligman and many other psychologists have developed a new field in psychology called Positive Psychology, a new science of human strength. Rather than looking at humans from a medical model, positive psychology looks at developing character strengths and virtues to achieve authentic happiness , which is defined as the pleasant life, the good life and the meaningful life. This concept is extended to positive psychotherapy and positive health. The developing field is reviewed and critiqued based on its humanistic roots and empirical evidences. Because of its philosophical and spiritual emphases, Positive Psychology is also evaluated from integrative, theological and Christian spirituality perspectives. It is concluded that the goals of Positive Psychology and Christian pastoral care are similar since both are human growth models. However, their views on character strength and virtues are different, and therefore the paths to psychological and spiritual wholeness (eudaimonia) are different and yet complementary. Recognizing both human virtues and vices, and building on a long tradition of pastoral care (healing, sustaining, reconciling and directing), a positive and holistic model of the care and cure of the soul is constructed by the author, called Soul CARES The model takes a holistic approach to positive health, including health in all five areas of human spirituality: physical, emotional and personality, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal and family, will and spirit. The model includes the following five areas of core-competences for pastors and pastoral counselors: Christ-centered caring and counsel, accurate assessment, restoration and reconciliation, edification and enrichment, spiritual direction and formation. The five goals of this model are to help a person develop a comforted spirit, an accessible spirit, a reconciled spirit, an empowered spirit and a serene spirit.