Care for the Soul: Exploring the Intersection of Psychology Theology

by Mark R. McMinn (Editor), Timothy R. Phillips (Editor)

Overview

"This volume explores the intersection of psychology and theology, but it is not a simple intersection. It is an intersection affected by rich theological and ecclesiological traditions, by the ravages and wonders of modern psychology, and by the character and qualities of today's ministers and communities of faith." (from the introduction) For two millennia Christians have been caring for souls. Since the Enlightenment, though, the Christian concept of the soul has been usurped by modern and postmodern notions of the self. "Somehow we misplaced the soul even as we developed a thriving science of the psyche," lament the editors of this volume. Thus there is a clash between Western therapeutic culture and the church's understanding of the soul's nature and its care. As a result, some Christians deride psychology as dangerous. Others believe that it has much to offer Christians interested in caring for the soul. What is the proper relationship between psychology and theology? Is soul care the shared task of these two fields? This collection of essays is a multidisciplinary dialogue on the interface between psychology and theology that takes seriously the long, rich tradition of soul care in the church. In this volume you'll find incisive discussions of

• the current state of theology and psychology
• overcoming the acquiescence to secularism
• theological resources for developing Christian psychology
• taking theology to heart in psychology
• taking psychology to heart in theology and Christian life

Contributors include Jeffry H. Boyd, Ellen T. Charry, Deborah van Deusen Hunsinger, L. Gregory Jones, Stanton L. Jones, Cynthia Neal Kimball, Bryan N. Maier, Michael Mangis, Philip G. Monroe, Stephen K. Moroney, Dennis L. Okholm, David Powlison, Robert C. Roberts, Richard L. Schultz, Myrla Seibold, Brett Webb-Mitchell and David Alan Williams. Providing insight and analysis from nineteen psychologists and theologians, Care for the Soul is essential reading for psychologists and counselors, pastors and theologians, and students or professors of psychology and theology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830815531
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	04/10/2001
Series:	Wheaton Theology Conference Series
Pages:	364
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.04(d)

About the Author

Mark R. McMinn (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) is professor of psychology at George Fox University, where he teaches in the graduate department of clinical psychology. He is a licensed clinical psychologist, board certified with the American Board of Professional Psychology, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. He has written several books, including Making the Best of Stress, Care for the Soul, Why Sin Matters, Finding Our Way Home and Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling.

Until his death in 2000, Phillips (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) was associate professor of historical and systematic theology at Wheaton College, where he was instrumental in starting and organizing the annual Wheaton College Theology Conference. Besides coediting several scholarly books, he was coauthor (with Dennis L. Okholm) of Welcome to the Family: An Introduction to Evangelical Christianity.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Psychology, Theology Care for the Soul - Mark R. McMinn

The Current State of Theology Psychology
1. Questions at the Crossroads: The Care of Souls Modern Psychotherapies - David Powlison
2. An Apologetic Apologia for the Integration of Psychology Theology - Stanton L. Jones

Overcoming Our Acquiescence to Secularism
3. Leaving Development Behind Beginning Our Pilgrimage - Brett Webb-Mitchell
4. Self-Concept: In Defense of the Word Soul - Jeffrey H. Boyd
5. Theology After Psychology - Ellen T. Charry

Theological Resources for Developing Christian Psychology
6. Outline of Pauline Psychotherapy - Robert C. Roberts
7. To Vent or Not to Vent? What Contemporary Psychology Can Learn from Ascetic Theology About Anger - Dennis L. Okholm
8. The Integration of Psychoanalytic Psychology Contemplative Theology: Lessons from the History of Spiritual Direction - Michael W. Mangis
9. Exploring Clients' Personal Sin in the Therapeutic Context: Theological Perspectives on a Case Study of Self-Deceit - Philip G. Monroe
10. An Interdisciplinary Map for Christian Counselors: Theology Psychology in Pastoral Counseling - Deborah Van Deusen Hunsinger

Taking Theology to Heart in Psychology
11. Healing the Wounds of Memory: Theology Psychology on Salvation Sin - L. Gregory Jones
12. Responsible Hermeneutics for Wisdom Literature - Richard Schultz
13. Biblical Hermeneutics Christian Psychology - Bryan N. Maier Philip G. Monroe

Taking Psychology to Heart in Theology Christian Life
14. When the Wounding Runs Deep: Encouragement for Those on the Road to Forgiveness - Myrla Seibold
15. Thinking of Ourselves More Highly Than We Ought: A Psychological Theological Analysis - Stephen K. Moroney
16. Knowing as Participation: Toward an Intersection Between Psychology Postcritical Epistemology - David Alan Williams
17. Family Brokenness: A Developmental Approach - Cynthia Neal Kimball

Editors Contributors