This book does not condemn secular counseling. Secular theories are compatible with pastoral counseling and can be used to guide a treatment plan and to implement therapeutic interventions. The thrust of the book is that Christian pastoral counseling must be a tool available to the client because the propensity for success is greater than secular counseling. The book presents a paradigm with justification from Holy Scripture that will aid a client in solving lifes problems and create a model for a life of wellbeing. It reintroduces a text that offers a well traveled and proven path of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, a text that has been rejected by secular mental health professionals and society in general, but still survives. This text is the Bible. If the Holy Bible was used as a road map for society the problems in America would be fewer and less intense. Also once problems did occur the spiritual tools would be readily available along with the counselor to comfort the clients. The counselors, spiritual advisors, and clients would be assured the Author of the Universe would become the primary counselor with proven healing power. The books first three chapters lay out an overview of general considerations for counseling using the holistic approach. It emphasizes the influence spirituality has on all aspects of wellbeing and encourages counselors and spiritual advisors to use scripture based interventions to help the client change their ineffective thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and to enhance their wellbeing in life. Succeeding chapters present a windshield tour of experiences illustrating how different incidences and periods can have a profound effect on the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and moral aspects of life. These incidences and periods were designed by God to make a person who they are and they include hard times and easy times. Good times and bad times mold a persons character into who God desires. The incidences are presented by viewing some experiences in the life of a male named Andy. Readers are introduced to Andys life as he experiences physical, psychological, cognitive, and social growth. It is important to note how Andy develops in these areas of wellbeing via a strong spiritual awakening that envelopes all aspects of his life. It is recommended that the reader study the first three chapters to obtain a working knowledge of the holistic counseling structure, which is used throughout this book. The messages of this book are equally important to counselors, spiritual advisors, clients, and people in general.

The Psychology of Christian Character Formation offers clergy and those preparing for ministry some of the potential riches provided by rapidly developing branches of contemporary scientific psychology of which they might otherwise be unaware. Joanna Collicutt, an experienced psychologist and theological educator, focuses on the psychology of character, virtue and spirituality. Furthermore, the psychology is not used to support training in pastoral ministry to others, but rather to support the reader’s own self-awareness and spiritual growth. Joanna Collicutt understands Christian formation as Christian communities and their members growing up into conformity with the character of Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit. This is explored in the three parts of the book: first, an exploration of the process of Christian formation that includes a detailed analysis of the character of Jesus of Nazareth; secondly some focused psychology aimed at supporting an informed self-awareness in the reader; finally – and the most lengthy section – a series of chapters devoted to using psychological insights to help cultivate the Christ-like characteristics identified in the first section.

Starting from the definition of psychology as knowledge about the workings of the mind, a careful examination of the gospels will lead us to discover that Jesus Christ not only possessed a profound psychological knowledge, but also had his own psychological system, which has no relation to modern psychological theories. Because it is grounded in wisdom traditions as old as the world, the psychology of Jesus Christ, with due licence, pushes boundaries that modern psychology cannot and will never push, and offers solutions to existential problems that modern psychology cannot and will never offer. Because we are not able to overcome by our own strength the sinful tendencies and behavioural defects that imprison and enslave our souls, the psychology of Jesus Christ offers us not only the hope but also the certainty that we can win the freedom our souls have long yearned for.

Since Albert Schweitzer's monumental work, nearly a century ago, psychology has been banned from Historical Jesus research. But both disciplines have advanced and it is time to review the contribution that psychology can make. Bas Van Os examines the problems which surround both the historical and the psychological study of Jesus, such as the fact that we can only work with the surviving traditions that some of his early followers left us. Following this, Van Os proposes a theoretical framework that combines sound psychological theories and critical biblical scholarship to explain how Jesus' life and religious experience impacted the beliefs of his friends and family after his death.

""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

How are Christians to understand and undertake the discipline of psychology? This question has been of keen interest because of the importance we place on a correct understanding of human nature.This collection of essays edited by Eric Johnson and Stanton Jones offers four different models for the relationship between Christianity and psychology.

Scholarly and comprehensive yet accessible, this state-of-the-science work is widely regarded as the definitive graduate-level psychology of religion text. The authors synthesize classic and contemporary empirical research on numerous different religious groups. Coverage includes religious thought, belief, and behavior across the lifespan; links between religion and biology; the forms and meaning of religious experience; the social psychology of religious organizations; and connections to morality, coping, mental health, and psychopathology. Every chapter features thought-provoking quotations and examples that bring key concepts to life. New to This Edition *Revised and updated with the latest theories, methods, and empirical findings.*Many new research examples.*Restructured with fewer chapters for better “fit” with a typical semester.*More attention to the differences between religion and spirituality*Covers emerging topics: genetics and neurobiology, positive psychology, atheism, and more.

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.

This landmark survey ranges from contrasts of empirical science and religious psychology to examinations of the distinctive features of Christian mysticism and the Islamic concept of mystical grace.