Page 41 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 5

Empirical steps toward a Christian Psychology

a greater influence on how strongly our beha- Despite all these questions, some of them still
viour is guided by Christian values. For, depen- open, and the associated difficulties in carrying
ding on how aware we are that God has loved out a study, there are great rewards in pursuing
us first and unconditionally (1 Jn. 4: 9), and on further the approach taken by Eric Jones and
how aware we are how much we have been for- investigating the factors influencing the sancti-
given (Lk. 7: 47), we will love him more, and fication process.
it will be important to us to become more like During the many years in which I was active in
him in our actions. leading house groups or in church leadership,
Nor should it be forgotten that, in psychologi- it became evident time and again that it was
cal research, there is still need for clarification not primarily imparted theoretical knowledge
regarding whether changes in behaviour are that brought people forward in their process
influenced mainly by changes in attitude or by of sanctification, but that other factors played a
other factors. more important role, such as e.g. the readiness,
because of the knowledge that one is loved by
God, to listen to him and serve others (Gal.5, 6).

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