The Good Life: A Transcendent Vision of Pastoral Practice for Human Flourishing

Abstract

Historically, pastoral theology has engaged with the human sciences, especially psychology, to offer insights on how to live well. Positive psychology is a new resource that has been relatively unused by pastoral theologians. In this dissertation, I offer a new pastoral theological perspective on how to live well informed by positive psychology. A limitation of positive psychology is that it does not offer insights into existential and transcendent dimensions of human experience; thus, this positioning of pastoral theology and positive psychology is mutually enriching. To counter the trenchant tension in ‘living well’ between Christians and non-Christians, this dissertation presents the value and function of the spiritual life as a primary source of the good life through which to critically examine the principles and practices of 'living well.’ In particular, the dissertation presents the reasons how pastoral practice can make a transition from the human sources of happiness and flourishing to its divine (or spiritual) sources. This is accomplished by epitomizing the uniqueness of spiritual happiness and flourishing and reflecting 'the good life’ as a transcendent, authentic, and integrative form. This dissertation seeks to contribute to the field of pastoral theology by creating an updated and public version of pastoral practice that faithfully responds to the ultimate questions of human life. It uncovers ways in which the elemental, experiential views of human well-being represented in positive psychology have limited the transcendent capacity of human flourishing and suggests a new orientation for pastoral practice.