Coming to Peace With Psychology

by Worthington, Everett L., Jr.

• ISBN13: 9780830838820
• ISBN10: 0830838821
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-09-01
• Publisher: Ivp Academic

Summary

Religion and science have often been at odds. In particular, Christianity and psychology have not always gotten along. Some Christians are still suspicious of psychological findings. But researcher Everett Worthington argues that Christians can know people better--and even know God better--through psychological science. Worthington suggests that the relationship between psychological science and Christianity is less like a war or mere dialogue and more like an emerging marriage. In this relational model of psychology and Christianity, there may be marital spats at times but also great potential for an intimate, mutually fulfilling relationship. Worthington demonstrates how the tools of experimental psychology shed light on human nature and the nature of God. Because people bear the image of God, the findings of psychological science help us understand both people and God more clearly. Psychological science provides new perspectives on theology and can help us address theological controversies and hot topics. Worthington gives recent examples of illuminating psychological findings, examines the distortions of the image of God through the effects of sin and points to ways that psychology assists Christians in living more virtuously.Psychology can contribute to the Christian life, because all of us, psychologists and non-psychologists alike, are human and can benefit from better understanding our fellow humankind. Beyond integrating Christian and psychological truths, this book uncovers new relationships between science and religion, demonstrates psychology’s benefits to theology, and helps Christians live a redeemed life that is pleasing to God.

Author Biography

Everett L. Worthington Jr. (Ph. D., University of Missouri) is professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. His many books include Forgiving and Reconciling, Hope-Focused Marriage Counseling and A Just Forgiveness.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 9
Introduction	p. 11
The Relationship of Psychological Science to Theology	p. 15
Interesting Things about People	p. 17
A Tale of Two Cities	p. 31
What Information Can I Trust?	p. 47
Why You Might Not Believe What you Don't Already Believe	p. 56
The Methods of Disciplines	p. 75
A Relational Model	p. 91
Understanding the Relational Partners	p. 106
Dealing with Some Challenges	p. 124
What Psychological Science Has to Offer Theology	p. 147
Psychological Science Provides a New Tool	p. 149
Psychological Science Is Limited	p. 168
Psychological Science Strengthens Theological Claims	p. 182
Psychological Science Adds New Ideas to Theology	p. 202
Psychological Science Addresses Theologically Hot Social Controversies	p. 216
Psychological Science Helps Us Understand Virtuous Living	p. 235
Psychological Science Helps Us Live More Virtuously	p. 258
Can Psychological Science Help Us Know God Better?	p. 272
Notes	p. 281
Author Index	p. 296
Subject Index	p. 298
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.