Date of Award
5-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2024
Degree Name
Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL)
Director
Thomas Cattoi
Abstract
This research examines happiness from a Christian perspective, integrating theological insights with contemporary scientific understanding. It highlights the foundational role of divine grace in shaping a Christian’s approach to happiness, as articulated by one of the greatest 20th-century theologians, Karl Rahner. Rahner’s notion of uncreated grace offers a lens through which Christians can view happiness, not just as a feeling but as a stable state nurtured by a deep relationship with God and manifested in goals and actions aligned with divine will, giving a sense of belonging and purpose instrumental for lasting happiness. This study also acknowledges the relevance of positive psychology, particularly the work of Sonja Lyubomirsky, in providing actionable strategies to enhance one’s happiness. These strategies include fostering gratitude, cultivating optimism, living in the present, self-care, acts of kindness, and nurturing social connections, aligning well with Christian teachings about love and service. Lyubomirsky's findings underscore that happiness extends beyond life circumstances or material conditions and can be cultivated through intentional personal efforts. Therefore, by exploring both the theological and psychological dimensions of happiness, this study offers a comprehensive framework that caters to the complexities of the dynamics of modern-day living, enhancing individual well-being and promoting a more just and compassionate society.
Recommended Citation
Odhiambo, Edwin Onyango, "A Christian Perspective on Happiness: Positive Psychology and Rahner’s Theology of Grace in the Quest for Meaning" (2024). Jesuit School of Theology Dissertations. 127.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/jst_dissertations/127