Human Development and Faith, second edition: Life-Cycle Stages of Body, Mind, and Soul

by Felicity Kelcourse (Editor)

Overview

Human Development and Faith delves into the dynamic interplay between human development and the role of faith in guiding individuals to find meaning and confront life's challenges. It poses two critical questions: What factors support human growth throughout life, and what imbues life with significance as development unfolds? Faith serves as a cornerstone, offering trust and resilience in the face of life's inevitable uncertainties and hardships.

Human development encompasses a wide spectrum of changes, including physical, mental, and interpersonal transitions, along with individual, subjective experiences. The book delves into depth psychologies and cognitive-structural-constructive theories, considering both inner experiences and interpersonal dynamics within the broader context of community, while countering individualistic tendencies.

This journey of human development involves the interplay between nature and nurture, where biology and socialization are interconnected, rather than pitted against each other. Individual development is shaped by the intricate dance between one's biology and environment. The book explores various aspects of human awareness and transformation through concepts like schemas, phases, and stages. Erikson's developmental stages, although subject to critique, provide a cultural lens for understanding human development. Developmental lines such as sexuality continue throughout life, contributing to the continuity of human experience. Early life experiences mold our worldviews, often subconsciously, and addressing early challenges can lead to healing and growth in adulthood.

Human Development and Faith also addresses critiques of developmental theories, including issues of cultural bias, gender bias, and the tendency to pathologize individuals who do not conform to established norms. While it primarily introduces human development from a faith-based perspective, Human Development and Faith acknowledges the limitations of developmental theories and their susceptibility to influence from social power dynamics and discrimination.

The intersection between human development and faith traditions lies in their shared goal of promoting well-being, love, and meaningful lives. Both aim to understand the conditions that foster health, relationships, and love while countering isolation and hatred. The moral structure within faith traditions, exemplified by the Ten Commandments, serves as a safeguard for a meaningful life. These commandments underscore values such as self-acceptance, empathy for others, and gratitude, highlighting the interdependence of these qualities. Human development offers insights into how individual lives are influenced by family and cultural factors, requiring a lifelong endeavor to navigate and gain independence from these influences while still drawing support from them.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780827214958
Publisher:	Chalice Press
Publication date:	07/28/2015
Pages:	366
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Felicity B. Kelcourse is Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Christian Theological Seminary.

Table of Contents

Preface Felicity Brock Kelcourse vi

Acknowledgments x

About the Authors xii

Introduction Felicity Brock Kelcourse 1

Part 1 The Context of Development

1 Theories of Human Development Felicity Brock Kelcourse 25

2 Finding Faith: Life-Cycle Stages in Body, Mind, and Soul Felicity Brock Kelcourse 66

3 Human Development in Relational and Cultural Context Pamela Cooper-White 102

4 The Family Context of Development: African American Families Edward P. Wimberly 122

Part 2 Life-Cycle Stages of Development

5 Infancy: Faith before Language Denise A. Senter 138

6 The Toddler and the Community Karen-Marie Yust 155

7 The Oedipal Child and the Family Crucible: A Jungian Account Terrill L. Gibson 172

8 Acculturation and Latency Vivian Thompson Jacqueline Braeger 190

9 Early Adolescence: Venturing toward a Different World Ronald J. Nydam Arthur David Canales 211

10 Identity in Middle and Late Adolescence Alice Graham 231

11 The Differentiation of Self and Faith in Young Adulthood: Launching, Coupling, and Becoming Parents Bonnie Cushing Monica McGoldrick 244

12 The Middle Years Russell Haden Davis 259

13 Faith and Development in Late Adulthood K. Brynolf Lyon 276

14 The Wages of Dying: Catastrophe Transformed Claude Barbre 292

References and Bibliography 314

Index 356

Tables, Figures, and Illustrations

Table 1 Family Systems Theories: Leaders, Assumptions, Concepts 55

Table 2 Brain Function and Arousal Continuum 144

Table 3 Developmental Echoes of the Oedipal Event 181

Figure 1 Flow of Stress through the Family 60

Figure 2 Freud's Genogram 62

Figure 3 A Schematic View of Persons 70

Figures 4 & 5 Hypothetical Flow of Spiritual Energy in Worship 71

Figure 6 Erikson's Epigenetic Chart with Virtues and Vices 74

Figure 7 Therapeutic Process 200

Illustration 1 Baby Doll in Sand Tray 202

Illustration 2 Female Dolls and Male Dolls in Water 204

Illustration 3 Circle of Leaves with Turtles in Sand Tray 206