Psychology For Christian Ministry

This introduction to psychology has been devised for those training for and working in the clergy. Ideal both as a professional handbook and a textbook, it covers social, developmental, educational, occupational and counselling psychology, as well as the psychology of religion. It carefully considers the processes of personal change and growth central to religion.

Today's psychology with increasing openness to spirituality, multiple ways of knowing, cultural diversity, and community emphases and provides a promising context for studying Christian communities. And today's church with increasing reliance on technology and science, growing engagement with contemporary culture, and a willingness to elevate various Christian psychologists to a near-prophetic role may be more open to the influence of psychology than ever before. This book highlights exemplars who are blending the strengths of the church with the skills of psychology in applied settings to promote psychology and spiritual health. The volume is divided into five sections. The first section includes three survey and interview studies assessing psychologists' and clergy perspectives on collaboration. Each of remaining sections is comprised of three to six vignettes demonstrating how psychologists are working with the church, organised by congregation-based collaboration, clinically-focused collaboration, research-focused collaboration, and community-focused collaboration.

How are Christians to understand and undertake the discipline of psychology? This question has been of keen interest (and sometimes concern) to Christians because of the importance we place on a correct understanding of human nature. Psychology can sometimes seem disconnected from, if not antithetical to, Christian perspectives on life. How are we to understand our Christian beliefs about persons in relation to secular psychological beliefs? This revised edition of a widely appreciated Spectrum volume now presents five models for understanding the relationship between psychology and Christianity. All the essays and responses have been reworked and updated with some new contributors including the addition of a new perspective, the transformative view from John Coe and Todd Hall (Biola University). Also found here is David Powlison (Westminster Theological Seminary) who offers the biblical counseling model. The levels-of-explanation model is advanced by David G. Myers (Hope College), while Stanton L. Jones (Wheaton College) offers an entirely new chapter presenting the integration model. The Christian psychology model is put forth by Robert C. Roberts (Baylor University) now joined by Paul J. Watson (University of Tennesee, Chattanooga). Each of the contributors responds to the other essayists, noting points of agreement as well as problems they see. Eric L. Johnson provides a revised introduction that describes the history of Christians and psychology, as well as a conclusion that considers what might unite the five views and how a reader might evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of each view. Psychology and Christianity: Five Views has become a standard introductory textbook for students and professors of Christian psychology. This revision promises to keep it so. Spectrum Multiview Books offer a range of viewpoints on contested topics within Christianity, giving contributors the opportunity to present their position and also respond to others in this dynamic publishing format.

Gain biblical insight into your heart, mind, and soul. Tracing how you relate to yourself, others, and God, this book explores moral and emotional complexities in light of scriptural truth. You’ll be better equipped to understand your inner life and be challenged to align your thinking with God’s Word.

"Christian Psychology"--an oxymoron?While prominent Christians embrace psychotheraphy,acclaimed secular psychologists acknowledge that it is, in fact, a religious practice under the guise of medical science:So common is the use of psychotherapy among Christians today that many pastors themselves are either licensed therapists or are the greatest source of referrals to professional counselors. In addition, the study of psychology has become the number two career choice for all college students; in fact, the popularity of this "science of the soul" is even greater among those enrolled in Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries from coast to coast.Some of the critical questions and crucial answers this book explores include:* From what ancient philosophical roots does psychology originate, and what are its modern fruits?* Is psychology truly a "scientific" means by which the spiritual issues of mankind may be addressed?* What does God's Word prescribe as a remedy for the social ills of our culture, and is that alone sufficient for the Body of Christ?* Can Christians effectively minister using Scripture and prayer by power of the Holy Spirit, or is professional training required?* Is it possible for believers in Christ to "eat the fish and spit out the bones" with regard to psychology's foundation in secular humanism?* Can the mystic and occultic methodologies employed by secular psychotherapists be "sanctified" for practice by Christian counselors?* Does the wisdom of psychology point to the narrow way of biblical Christianity, or toward the broad path that leads to destruction?* What understanding of "Self" can psychology bring to light that Scripture cannot?The purpose of this book is not to attack or condemn evangelicals who are either practicing psychotherapists or those who have been helped by what is commonly called "Christian Psychology." Rather, this volume acknowledges the value of believers bearing one another's burdens through prayer, fellowship, and the Word of God.

This title was first published in 2002: Many people are now interested in the relationship between religion and science, but links between Christian belief and psychology have been relatively neglected. This book opens up the dialogue between Christian theology and modern scientific psychology, approaching the dialogue in both directions. Current scientific topics like consciousness and artificial intelligence are examined from a religious perspective. Christian themes such as God's purposes and activity in the world are then examined in the light of psychology. This accessible study on psychology and Christian belief offers students and general readers alike important insights into new areas of the "science and religion" debate.

""I have known Professor Newton Malony for more than forty years. l have great respect for the way his mind works and the wise positions he takes. He is at once stimulating and creative, historically thorough and futuristically insightful. I highly recommend any encounter with substantive material from his mind and pen."" --Neil Clark Warren, Founder and Chairman, eHarmony.com; former dean, School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary ""Newton Malony is an internationally recognized pioneer in the application of religious principles to clinical practice and research. He is capable, like few others, of bridging professional differences and arriving at reasonable conclusions."" --Allen E. Bergin, Professor of Psychology, retired; coauthor, Spiritual Strategy for Counseling and Psychotherapy ""For Newton Malony, psychology exists in the service of religion. With the histories of the Christian church and psychology as his backdrop, Malony holds fast to his religious values throughout this book, making a case for the relevance of Christianity to a broad range of issues in clinical psychology."" --Gordon Nagayama-Hall, Professor of Psychology, University of Oregon; author, Multicultural Psychology ""Newton Malony was a major force in reinventing the psychology of religion during the second half of the twentieth century. This book highlights his contribution to clinical psychology in Christian context. Malony's ideas go a long distance and this book is a wonderful collection and culmination of them."" --Raymond F. Paloutzian, editor, International Journal for the Psychology of Religion; coeditor, Handbook of the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality ""This excellent collection of Malony's contributions to the integration of Christian faith and clinical psychology provides a rich and indispensable resource for scholars and students interested in psychology and the religious quest. Writing over many years about complex matters of emotional health and spiritual life, he has given us a gift that is accessible, enjoyable and deeply relevant."" --Winston E. Gooden, dean, School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary ""What a treat it is to recommend this really solid collection that represents more than four decades of creative engagement with key issues in applied and professional psychology, effective ministry in the context of the local church, and some really fascinating musings by a senior spokesperson in the field."" --Richard Butman, Professor of Psychology, Wheaton College; coeditor, Modern Psychotherapies: A Christian Appraisal