Chapter 13 Cultivating a Grateful Disposition: Increasing Moral Behavior and Personal Well-being
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The importance of gratitude as a Christian virtue is often downplayed. In response, this chapter highlights four important features of Christian gratitude. First, some clarity is needed. Is gratitude a duty, a moral emotion, a virtue, or some combination of these? What, if anything, distinguishes gratitude as a moral emotion from gratitude as a virtue? Second, the chapter will show how Christian theology can help illuminate the importance of gratitude. More specifically, the doctrines of creation and Christian grace will be emphasized as a means of cultivating gratitude. Third, the chapter will highlight some of the recent social science surrounding gratitude. How does gratitude impact relationships? Does gratitude really increase human well-being? Can it help foster moral behavior? Finally, the chapter will explore several important practices for cultivating virtuous gratitude. Developing virtue requires practice and habituation. In a Christian context this process demands participation in spiritual disciplines. In the case of gratitude, studies exploring the effectiveness of gratitude journaling, letter writing, and prayer will be explored.