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. 2023 Aug;62(4):2746-2762.
doi: 10.1007/s10943-023-01839-y. Epub 2023 Jun 12.

"Rejoice Therapy": Creating and Shaping 'Joy' according to St. Paul of Tarsus

Dariusz Iwański  1
Affiliations

"Rejoice Therapy": Creating and Shaping 'Joy' according to St. Paul of Tarsus

Dariusz Iwański. J Relig Health. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

St. Paul of Tarsus, in 1 Thessalonians (5:16), urges his suffering addressees to 'rejoice always.' This can seem not only inappropriate, but even inhumane. It can be argued, however, that a unique therapy to strengthen the disheartened is at work. St. Paul applies to his readers what can be described as an authorial therapeutic method-"rejoice therapy"-to help them create and shape their joy despite the difficult situation in which they live. St. Paul employs more than just rhetorical strategies in order to achieve this intended effect. St. Paul provides his readers with practical and universalistic techniques, which can continue to have therapeutic value today.

Keywords: 1 Thess. 5:16; Creating joy; Joy; Rejoice always; Rejoice therapy; Shaping emotions; St. Paul of Tarsus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author has no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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