The Theological Roots of Christian Gratitude

The Theological Roots of Christian Gratitude explores the ways in which Christian theology presents a life-giving simile that stimulates the moral imagination. The theology that Kenneth Wilson presents encourages a holistic view of the total context of personal life and professional practice. Wilson details how the empirical evidence from positive psychologists shows that gratitude increases subjective well-being and pro-social behavior and asserts that gratitude is the embodiment in man of God's gracious presence in creation.

According to Wilson, a grateful person is curious about the world and thus more likely to be responsive and responsible in his or her personal and professional life. He investigates the idea that to accept service as 'gift' transforms the giver, the gift, and the recipient. The Theological Roots of Christian Gratitude elaborates upon and explores the possibility that we are lured by God to give attention to the many aspects of our experiences. A consciousness of God, Wilson asserts, helps us to coalesce our experiences, to share what we know, and to enjoy the inherent beauty of our world. This book illustrates and illuminates how an appreciation of the virtue of gratitude can re-form a vocation and transform personal relationships.

Kenneth Wilson taught Philosophy and Ethics at Wesley College, UK. He was Principal of Westminster College, UK, then The Director of Research at The Queen's Foundation, UK. He is currently an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Jubilee Center for Character and Values, University of Birmingham, UK. He is also the author of several books including Making Sense of It, and most recently, Methodist Theology.

1. Introduction
2. The Theological Roots of Gratitude
3. A Christian Theological Understanding of the Self
4. Becoming Response-able: Learning to Become Responsible
5. Inheritance and Legacy: The Open Power of the Present
6. Compassion
7. The Gift of Service
8. Learning to Give Attention
9. Sharing: Building Together
10. The Beauty of Holiness
11. Picking up the Pieces
12. Conclusion: A Way Forward