Propositional approach to depression therapy.
In this article, I explore the intersection between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a psychological approach developed to treat disorders such as depression, and Biblical Theology, which seeks spiritual and emotional transformation through alignment with divine purpose. I will discuss how these approaches can be applied complementarily to promote emotional health, addressing the issue of dysfunctional beliefs, the role of biblical apologetics, and the importance of an approach that avoids dogmatic absolutism while respecting personal subjectivity in the pursuit of fulfilling the divine telema.
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Biblical Theology, unlike propositional or systematic theologies, is not committed to a static or dogmatic truth but to achieving a perennial divine purpose (gr. telema), which is why I refer to it as propositional theology. This teleological approach understands that sensations of peace, joy, and the state of fullness of life are part of this greater purpose: ‘the pure, timely, and complete will of God’ (Rom 12:2). Instead of merely seeking the profession of doctrinal propositions, Biblical Theology guides people’s lives towards the divinely established purpose, which is dynamically processual: the prize of the heavenly calling (Phil 3:14).
This theological foundation provides a deeper understanding of the theological virtues, which, in turn, serve as the foundation for emotional healing. In the context of Biblical Theology, faith, hope, and love, as the Apostle Paul extensively taught, are fundamental elements of human subjectivity that integrate all emotional processes. Faith (gr. pistis) is conviction, the knowledge built from perception, not a passive process of religious resignation, but the result of understanding and interpreting the Word of God. Hope (gr. elpis) is the expectation based on conviction, the active waiting for something that is known to come, and love (gr. agape) is the preference or choice that precedes decision and attitude, including behavior.
In CBT, these elements can be translated as beliefs, expectations, and decisions, and the focus is on modifying dysfunctional thought patterns. However, Biblical Theology offers a deeper vision, where transformation is oriented by alignment with divine purpose, not merely by the pursuit of immediate emotional well-being. The goal is to transform the person through the renewal of their mind, not just the occasional rethinking of dysfunctional beliefs.
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The propositional healing journey.
Depression, in the context of this discussion, can be seen as a perceptual disturbance that initially distorts faith, that is, convictions about God, the self, society, and the future. Failing to perceive reality, the person acquires absurd certainties. These distorted convictions generate illusory hopes or expectations. Hoping for the unreal, whether utopian or dystopian, leads to destructive preferences and choices, to passion sickness in all its manifestations. True faith, realistic hope, and wise love are central elements of emotional health.
When working with patients suffering from depression, CBT can be used to identify and correct cognitive distortions, while Biblical Theology, through apologetics, can deepen this correction by offering the transcendent truth of divine purpose. Thus, treating depression should not be limited to alleviating immediate suffering but promotes transformation and alignment with the divine telema, offering a missional perspective, what Frankl would call the ‘meaning of life,’ allowing for resistance and then resilience, resulting in peace, joy, and fullness.
Therefore, apologetics is the resource of Biblical Theology to combat dysfunctional beliefs. In biblical apologetics, the focus is not on combating other religions but on identifying questions and communicating the hope derived from faith to correct deviant patterns of thought, with gentleness, respect, and a clear conscience (1 Pet 3:15,16). This is what Paul taught about having a correct perception of the ‘self’: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Rom 12:2a (NIV). The renewal of the mind is fundamental to emotional transformation, and apologetics is the means to this renewal.
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The third way: neither opposition nor integration.
When addressing the relationship between faith and science, I choose a third way, which is neither oppositional nor integrative. From this perspective, the biblical text is the scientific object, not the person; thus, psychology asks the questions, and Biblical Theology provides the answers. This critical dialogue avoids sterile dogmatic absolutism on one hand and the particularization of truth on the other, pointing towards the divine purpose, which is not defined by the volatility of human desire but whose fulfillment is consistent with each person’s subjectivity.
CBT can be useful for identifying dysfunctional thought patterns, while biblical psychology, through apologetics, offers deep and transformative answers that align the mind and spirit with divine purpose. This interaction between the two disciplines allows for a therapeutic practice that is both reflective and oriented towards eternal results, transcending temporary measures and transient well-being.
The cooperation between psychology and theology, especially through the propositional approach and apologetics, is holistic and offers a rich way to address emotional issues without neglecting the inalienable spiritual aspect of the human being. By avoiding dogmatic absolutism and respecting personal subjectivity, this cooperative approach not only promotes well-being but, above all, provides direction for the fulfillment of divine purpose. Working from this foundation, spiritual and emotional transformation is achieved in a deeper and more lasting way, reflecting the new life that integrates the telema of God.
