Is There a Christian Approach to Research?
A Christaf Discussion Group
Facilitated by Dr Nola Passmore and Assoc Prof Andrew
Hoey
Wed 23 March 2005
(Some notes prepared by Nola Passmore)
Depending on our discipline area, some of us may have the
opportunity to investigate Christian topics within the
content of our research. Regardless of our
discipline area, however, all of us can take a Christian approach in
the process of our research.
CONTENT OF RESEARCH
Research as a Mission Statement
In an interview that appeared in the Journal of Psychology and
Christianity in 2003, psychologist Everett L. Worthington Jr talked
about his calling and mission as a Christian researcher. He has
concentrated primarily on hope-focused marriage counselling. His
approach to research is best summed up in the following
quote:
I do research on things that are scripturally approved, such
as forgiveness and reconciliation. Scripture is not a marriage
counseling manual. Research helps us to flesh out the principles that
Scripture advocates.
I also pray about my research career and reflect prayerfully on
it. Often people who are doing research in marital issues will have
an active prayer life about their own relationships, the sins in
their lives, and other life decisions. Yet they may rarely seek
God's guidance about how God wants their research careers to
progress. Our research direction can influence our entire life, not
just the work that we do from 8 to 5. Surely something this important
deserves prayer and listening for God's direction.
My life mission throughout the
late 80s and early 90s was guided by a mission statement: 'Lord,
let me live a life of faith working through love and teach others,
especially married partners, to operate according to that fundamental
principle of discipleship.' In the mid 90s, God reoriented my
mission: 'to promote forgiveness in every willing heart, home,
and homeland.' It is important that we each have a mission
statement that captures our purpose, passions, and power. I prefer to
write mine and tell it to others as often as possible to keep focused
on what God wants me to do in my teaching, speaking, administration,
and personal life.
(p. 237)
(From: Worthington, E. L., Jr. (2003). Hope-focused marriage:
Recommendations for researchers, clinicians, and church workers.
Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 31, 231–239.)
Topics of Research
Conducting research on Christian topics may be easier in some
disciplines than others. For example, there are two Christian
journals in psychology-the Journal of Psychology and Christianity,
and the Journal of Psychology and Theology. Some possible topics that
may come under the general banner of Christian
research
include:
- Studies that include Christian beliefs (or more general
religiosity) as one of the variables of interest. For example,
there is a growing body of evidence in disciplines such as
psychology, nursing, and medicine that healthy religious
commitments enhance general health and well-being. Studies of
grief, loss, and bereavement could also benefit from the inclusion
of religious beliefs.
- Studies that include Christian concepts such as forgiveness and
hopefulness. Such studies are making their way into mainstream
psychology journals as secular researchers are also starting to
realise that forgiveness is an important key to
moving
on
(e.g., in studies of divorce or abuse).
- Studies that look at pro-life issues (e.g., abortion and
euthanasia) and issues of medical ethics (e.g., reproductive
technology; stem-cell research etc).
- Any studies that look at topics compatible with a Christian
framework, though not necessarily unique to Christianity. For
example, helping people to develop:
- healthy relationships,
- good communication and social skills,
- good problem-solving or decision-making skills, or
- prosocial behaviours.
In fact, any research in which the ultimate goal is to help people (e.g.,
marriage enrichment; research into diseases or disabilities),
though there may also be ethical considerations with some of these
(e.g., research on embryos).
- Any research that challenges non-Christian or anti-Christian
viewpoints (e.g., scientific research that challenges a Darwinian
approach; research in maths or physics that points to order in the
universe).
- Studies in the Arts could include an examination of a Christian
worldview (e.g., Christian or church history; creative expression
in music or the visual arts that point to the Creator; an
examination of Christian literature).
PROCESS OF RESEARCH
Even if the content of our research is not overtly Christian, we can still
take a Christian approach to our research.
- Research excellence — No amount of good intention on the part of a
Christian researcher will make up for poor research. If we produce
good quality research, it will of course gain greater acceptance.
- Ethical conduct — This not only includes following the ethical
guidelines necessary to gain ethics clearance, but ethical conduct in
all aspects of the research. For example, making the welfare of
research participants paramount, fair and just treatment of
co-workers and research students in terms of authorship or
acknowledgement, accurate reporting of the research and its findings
(even when you don't find what you were hoping for), consistency
between beliefs and the final written product, negotiating tricky
issues with non-Christian collaborators, being a good mentor or role
model for research students.
- Having the right motives — Is the aim of the research to
exalt ourselves or God? Do we compromise our beliefs or standards to get
runs on
the board
in terms of numbers of publications? Do we make the
tough decisions in research even if it might cost us getting
ahead
in worldly terms?
- Consistency in character — Christian qualities that we should
be developing in our everyday walk with Christ (e.g., the fruit of the Spirit)
should also pervade our research work. Do we embody humility rather
than pride, encouragement rather than criticism, hopefulness rather
than despair, persistence rather than defeat?
A Few of Scriptures
Col 3:23: Whatever you do,
work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for
men.
Phil 2:5–16: In all we do, we
should have the same attitude as Christ.
Psalm 15 (Amplified version):
Lord, who shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle? Who shall
dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill? He who walks and
lives uprightly and blamelessly, who works rightness
and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his
heart, He who does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his
friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbour; In whose eyes
a vile person is despised, but he who honors those who fear the Lord
(who revere and worship Him); who swears to his own hurt and does not
change; [He who] does not put out his money for interest [to one of
his own people] and who will not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
