Jung and the Christian Way

by Christopher Bryant

Perceiving that “there are many signs today of a hunger among Christians for an experience of the truths believed in”. Christopher Bryant writes out of the conviction that Carl Jung’s psychology can guide Christians in the West into a deeper experience of the presence of God and Christ. He demonstrates that ‘individuation’, Jung’s term for the developmental process that presses us to realize and live out what we truly are, also represents God. ‘Individuation’ is part of the divine strategy by which we come to know God as the one who, while ever transcending our intellect’s grasp, guides us from the center of our beings. Bryant concurs with Jung that our overwhelming tendency to resist change and to struggle to escape the often terrifying unconscious forces within ourselves has cut us off from our inner truths and the power of God that would liberate us into a vaster reality. Only if we confront the drives and emotions that lie beneath the level of consciousness ca we both discover who we are and come to know the God within us. Believing that the measure of our wisdom and humanity in the modern era depends upon the confrontation with our unknown selves, Bryant shows believers how to probe their own depths using Jung’s tools of self-exploration and the traditional Christian practices of prayer and worship, meditation and contemplation. Jung and the Christian Way is an indispensable resource for all Christians seeking to regain, revive, or enrich their faith.

Genres: Psychology

125 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Graham Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This work is an attempt to link Jung's teachings to Christian growth.

In my view it doesn't adequately portray the essence of Jung's teachings, although to be fair the author does indicate in his Introduction that he is not really qualified to do so.

One point that does come through quite well is the correspondence between Individuation and sanctification (although he does not use the latter term). I also like the way Bryant refers to sin, not as some guilt-ridden negative aspect of our nature but simply as our not doing what our inner nature needs us to do. I am in a religious denomination that does not agree with the concept of sin as such, but I can identify with there being sin in the way Bryant describes it here.

Jung believed that spiritual experience was more important than belief. In fact, he did not really view belief itself as of any importance at all but viewed experience as of vital importance. Bryant does not agree with the complete negation of belief and his own view is that experience and belief should be in balance, but he does accept Jung's point that too few Christians seek experiential Christianity.

In summary, in this work Christopher Bryant encourages us to bring Jung's concepts into our spiritual life, integrating the various archetypes into our understanding in an individuation process which becomes a significant part of our spiritual growth. Despite the inadequacy I have already indicated I found this book stimulating and a good reminder of the value Jung's teachings can bring to one's spiritual growth.

[Gregory Alterton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of Jung's approach and theories of human behavior, psychological growth, and the basis of finding meaning and purpose in life. The author provides not only a description of Jung's basic theories, but provides a comparison of the Christian teaching on sanctification -- becoming whole as one transformed by the indwelling Spirit of Christ. Jung's theories dovetail well with Christian teachings on development. Jung was certainly religion-friendly. Given the traditional role of religion which encourages believers to contemplate the transcendent, and also to recognize that there is a power working within them to transform them into the image of Christ, much like the elements of self which can make a person whole are hidden in the unconscious and need to be connected to and released, one wonders how people who completely reject the role of faith and the transcendent spirit in their lives will move on to wholeness, based on their own resources. The book provides a challenge to completely secularized methods of finding wholeness and health.