Our Chalcedonian selves: how traditional Christology informs constructive approaches to theology and psychology

Abstract

This thesis employs traditional Chalcedonian Christology to construct a new, interdisciplinary method for understanding our humanity that is capable of robust engagement with modern conceptions of humanity derived from psychological research. Drawing on Christological ideas developed in the patristic era, I argue that our humanity must first be understood in light of Christ’s own relationship with both humanity and divinity. This method not only provides new avenues for conceptually relating theology and psychology, but it can also inform constructive approaches to investigating humanity and the God-human relationship within the science-theology discourse. Specifically, this thesis applies the new Christological method to two psychological subdisciplines – childhood developmental psychology and empirical psychotherapy – to craft a theologically grounded and pragmatic approach to the concepts of early childhood and mental well-being. The resulting analysis poses significant implications not only to the science-theology discourse, but also to pastoral and practical theology, as well as psychology and theological anthropology.