Jesus and Personality Theory: Exploring the Five-Factor Model

In recent years researchers in human personality have come to a rarely achieved near unanimous conclusion: human personality is structured around a very few major traits, probably five in number. These factors, sometimes called the Big Five and represented by the acronym OCEAN, are

• Openness to experience
• Conscientiousness
• Extroversion
• Agreeableness
• Neuroticism

How does this Five-Factor Model fit with a Christian understanding of human nature? How does it compare or contrast with the way Jesus lived, taught and counseled? James Beck looks at prominent themes in the teaching and ministry of Jesus and how they relate to the five personality factors. Here is a study of the Christian implications of the new model--a study that will offer fresh insights for students, pastors and therapists alike.

James R. Beck, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and a professor and the chair of the counseling department at Denver Seminary. His six previous books include Helping Worriers (coauthored with David Moore) and The Healing Words of Jesus.