Contemporary Varieties of Religious Experience James's Classic Study in Light of Resiliency, Temperament, and Trauma

by Bridgers, Lynn; Fowler, James W.

• ISBN13: 9780742544321
• ISBN10: 074254432X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-11-01
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

First published in 1902, William James's Varieties of Religious Experience is considered a classic in religious studies and the psychology of religion. But how has James's classic study weathered decades of development in psychology and behavioral sciences? Do the assertions about religious experience in the Varieties still ring true in light of neuro-cognitive and neuro-hormonal research, resiliency studies, studies of temperament, and traumatic studies? By extending William James's own research throughout the century since its publication this volume seeks to answer those questions. In doing so, it revolutionizes our understanding of James's own view of psychology and reveals the extraordinary value of James's perspective for religion, psychology, and spirituality today. In doing so, it offers vital insights for pastoral care and faith development at both the individual and congregational level. From the Introduction by James Fowler: Drawing on the authenticity of her own experience, Bridgers carries us into a remarkably clear and well documented account that traces William James's evolution as a psychologist, philosopher, and a deeply engaged inquirer into the dynamics of spiritual development and transformation... This book has a major contribution to make. Bridgers's study illumines the horizons of contemporary research in the study of religious experience, in all its varieties, and in the context of globalization.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
James W. Fowler
Introduction	1	(20)
Beginning Where We End	3	(3)
The Importance of The Varieties of Religious Experience	6	(2)
Examining James's Method	8	(7)
William James a Century Later	15	(6)
Evolution of a Pluralist	21	(22)
From Principles to Varieties	22	(6)
Mysticism and Monism	28	(2)
The All and the Each	30	(1)
Characterizing Religious Experience	31	(5)
Benefits of James's Perspective	36	(7)
James's Conversion Typology	43	(24)
The Religion of Healthy-Mindedness	47	(1)
The Sick Soul	48	(4)
Rediscovering James's Perspectives	52	(2)
Kagan's Temperament Studies and James's Typology	54	(13)
Prophets	67	(34)
Describing the Prophet	68	(2)
James's Phenomenological Method---Lectures IV and V	70	(1)
Phenomenological Evidence---1902 to 2002	71	(22)
Conclusion	93	(8)
Monks	101	(32)
Describing the Monk	102	(4)
James's Phenomenological Method---Lectures VI, VII, and VIII	106	(1)
Phenomenological Evidence---1902 to 2002	107	(20)
Conclusion	127	(6)
Mystics	133	(46)
Describing the Mystic	134	(6)
James's Phenomenological Method---Lectures X and XI	140	(2)
Phenomenological Evidence---1902 to 2002	142	(27)
Conclusion	169	(10)
Between Me and My God	179	(30)
Consolidating Christian Identity---Prophetic Beginnings	181	(4)
The Sick Soul---Augustine of Hippo and the Monastic Tradition	185	(5)
Redefining Christian Identity---The Spontaneity of the Spiritual Innovator	190	(9)
Implications for Contemporary Religious Communities	199	(2)
Conclusion	201	(8)
Bibliography	209	(12)
Index	221	(8)
About the Author	229