Spiritual Emotions: A Psychology of Christian Virtues

by Robert Campbell Roberts

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2007

Overview

An expert in moral and philosophical psychology, Robert C. Roberts here develops an original, up-to-date understanding of human emotions in relation to spirituality and as a basic part of Christian moral character. With an eye on pertinent Biblical texts, Roberts explores emotions as nonsensory perceptions that arise from personal caring and concern. His study culminates with an in-depth examination of six “fruit of the Holy Spirit” emotion-virtues: contrition, joy, gratitude, hope, peace, and compassion.

Though Spiritual Emotions is rigorous in its focus on the inner structure of Christian character, it is nonetheless readable and is laced with many narrative examples. The book will be immensely useful for Christian ethicists, psychologists, pastors, and counselors.

Key Features

• Provides a renewal of theological and pastoral inquiry into the emotions
• Explores the integration of Christianity into the emotional lives of believers
• Integrates studies in philosophy, psychology, and literature

Contents

I. A Christian Psychology of Emotion

• Emotions and Christian Teaching
• Emotions and Christian Character

II. The Christian Passion

• Two Modern Giants on Our Need for God
• Something Eternal in the Self
• The Salvation of Ivan Ilych
• Humility as a Moral Project

III. Christian Emotion-Virtues

• Contrition
• Joy
• Gratitude
• Hope
• Peace
• Compassion

Top Highlights

“In the New Testament, the mental states that we call emotions appear to have the following properties:” (Page 9)

“but to a person’s long-term, characteristic interests, concerns, and preoccupations” (Page 17)

“think with you about the role of emotion in Christian spirituality” (Page 5)

“Emotions can be distinctively Christian only if they can be shaped by Christian concepts and the Christian narrative” (Page 29)

“is an essential medium in which Christian teachings get incorporated into the life of the individual believer” (Page 5)

Endorsements

Roberts has provided us with something urgently needed: critical thinking about the complex matter of the emotions. He brings together insights from philosophy, psychology, and literature that complement the needed theological analysis of the place of emotion in human—and thus Christian—experience. This work provides invaluable insight and guidance for church leaders, including preachers and those who direct worship, parents, educators, and all who are concerned with human formation.

—Gordon T. Smith, President, reSource Leadership International

Product Details

• Title: Spiritual Emotions: A Psychology of Christian Virtues
• Author: Robert Campbell Roberts
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2019
• Pages: 215
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Emotions › Religious aspects--Christianity
• ISBNs: 9780802827401, 0802827403
• Resource ID: LLS:SPRTLMTNSCHVRTS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:06:59Z

About Robert Campbell Roberts

Robert C. Roberts is Distinguished Professor of Ethics at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. Among his other books are Taking the Word to Heart: Self and Others in an Age of Therapies (Eerdmans) and (with Jay Wood) Intellectual Virtues: An Essay in Regulative Epistemology (Oxford).