Latter-day Saint FAIR-Cast The Cause for Christ Episode 3: Faith, Psychology, and the Power of Worldviews with Jeffrey Thayne
Feb 15, 2025
Ryan welcomes Dr. Jeffrey Thayne, an expert in psychology and instructional technology who mentors students at BYU-Idaho. They dive into the impact of worldviews on faith, discussing how personal narratives shape beliefs within the Latter-day Saint community. Topics include the influence of expressive individualism on morality, the challenges of navigating repentance today, and the vital role of media consumption in fostering faith. Their conversation emphasizes critical thinking and the evolution of beliefs shaped by culture and emotional biases.
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Invisible Worldview Lenses
- Researchers and everyday people always view the world through background assumptions that shape questions and conclusions.
- Jeffrey Thayne argues these invisible worldview lenses affect psychology research and Latter-day Saints' faith questions.
Worldviews As Stories
- A worldview reads like a story with a chief aspiration that drives all other beliefs and actions.
- Once you identify the protagonist's greatest treasure, the villains, goals, and solutions fall into place.
Gospel Worldview Centered On Salvation
- A gospel-centered worldview places salvation in the kingdom of God as the chief aspiration.
- If salvation is central, sin becomes the antagonist and Christ the hero shaping purpose and decisions.
Dr. Jeffrey Thayne graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology. He completed his doctorate in Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences at Utah State University. He spends time mentoring students at Brigham Young University-Idaho and writing about the intersection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and culture.
Ryan Sorensen is a native of Cache Valley, Utah. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at BYU-Idaho and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Abilene Christian University, with plans to become a chaplain after graduation. Ryan previously hosted a podcast called The Whom Shall We Go? Podcast. In his spare time, he enjoys being involved in interfaith work, reading about Latter-day Saint theology and history, training for triathlons, and spending time with friends and family.