Emotions in the Image of God? The Holistic Vision of Classical Christian Anthropology

Abstract

In conversation with classical Christian anthropology, this article offers a holistic account of the human person in which reason, emotion, and desire are united in drawing humans to God, mutually informing life lived with a Godward orientation. First, I explore the ways several Christian theologians have construed the relation of reason and emotion in the pre-fall state. I give special attention to Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa. I then bring the themes of these accounts into conversation with contemporary accounts of emotion in philosophy and psychology. I conclude by arguing that the most persuasive accounts of Christian anthropology take the regulation of reason, emotion, and desire to be governed by relationship with God. A holistic walk with God requires the well-ordered collaboration of reason, emotion, and desire. In fact, the union of reason, emotion and desire expresses a creaturely reflection of God’s oneness and holiness.