A theological evaluation of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence has been a recent topic of evaluation within the scholarly world. This is due to its importance for personal development and the effectiveness of institutions within society. Currently two models of emotional intelligence have emerged. These are the ability model by Salovey and Mayer and the mixed model by Goleman. Although, Goleman popularized the concept of emotional intelligence (after its inception) the ability model of emotional intelligence is academically and scientifically more accurate as an intelligence. Its importance is viewed highly for the personal development and the effectiveness of medical, educational and business institutions. This is due to the fact that these institutions concern themselves with the well being of humanity’s functioning and development and are aware of just how much our emotional regulation effects our behaviour and work performance. The problem statement can be seen in the fact that most institutions in society, concerned with the well being of humanity, are valuing emotional intelligence highly, except for the church. This seems strange due to the fact that the church is also an institution concerned with the well being of humanity and that many church members are spiritually effective, but are emotionally ineffective in their dealings with others. As emotional intelligence could be effective within the church’s ministry, as with other institutions, a theological evaluation is necessary. This is to see whether emotional intelligence is important for the functioning of the church and its effectiveness and to see whether it is in accordance with what the church believes concerning humanity and God. If so, then the application of emotional intelligence would be important and necessary for the effectiveness and relevance of the church in society. Within this evaluation the Bible was used as source of measurement. Presuppositions concerning both theology and emotional intelligence were identified and were found to be similar. An evaluation on both the ability and mixed model was done, so as to provide a thorough investigation. A theological evaluation did identify the cause for our inability to control our emotional impulses. This, the Bible identifies as selfishness. Goleman refers to selfishness, but fails to see this as the reason for our inability to “reign in emotional impulse”. A theological evaluation however, does therefore propose that emotional intelligence be used to identify and regulate our emotions, but also (if possible) our selfish motivations, interacting with our emotions and in this way causing our destructive behavior. Further research is important, so as to provide a clearer picture of its application and importance within the church and for the emotional, physical and spiritual functioning of humanity within society.Dr. LJ Erasmu