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Christo-psychology
Compares basic Christian concepts with the theories of Jung and attempts to establish a foundation for Christian psychology
- GenresReligion
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 22, 2024
THE FAMED COUNSELOR PROVIDES A NUANCED JUNGIAN PERSPECTIVE
Morton T. Kelsey (1917-2001) was an Episcopal priest, counselor, and teacher formerly at the University of Notre Dame; he wrote many popular books, such as 'Encounter With God: A Theology of Christian Experience,' 'Healing and Christianity: In ancient thought and modern times,' 'Tongue Speaking: The History and Meaning of Charismatic Experience,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1982 book, "I have been on a personal religious quest for over forty years. My wife, Barbara, joined me in this quest... For thirty years I have been closely associated with Jungian analysts and had the opportunity of attending the Jung Institute in Zurich and of meeting Dr. Jung... I also discovered that the depth psychology of Jung ... offered an understanding and explanation of this way of salvation... This book is intended to be a very practical and accessible guide to help people who wish to combine the insights of depth psychology with those of vital Christianity... Throughout this book we shall be demonstrating the relationship between Jung and Christianity and discussing how he helps us understand the religious dimension of life and discern genuine religious experience... Jung has given us an understanding of the depth of Jesus Christ's knowledge of human beings and their spiritual life." (Pg. ix-xi)
Begins the book by stating, "Because of my extensive involvement with analytical psychology, I am sometimes asked if I am a Jungian. I usually answer, 'No, I am a Christian who has found the thinking of Jung helpful in communicating the world view and message of Jesus to seeking, educated, modern men and women.'" (Pg. 1)
He recalls, "Some years into the ministry I found myself in a dead-end street. I was intellectually burned out... This is typical of the experience of many graduates of liberal seminaries... a woman in the parish... saw my tension and suggested that I call Max Zeller, an analyst... This is a sad commentary on the Christian church. I had to go to a secular Jewish Jungian analyst for soul healing... It was ironic that as a Christian priest I had to learn to have fellowship with God through the help of a Jungian analyst." (Pg. 4)
He observes, "It is difficult for us living in a predominantly materialistic culture to understand that Jung and the church are really affirming the substantial reality of a spiritual world." (Pg. 46) He recounts, "Few books have moved me more in my life than Jung's Memories, Dreams, Reflections... This book was a turning point in my life and confirmed the validity of my own journey." (Pg. 65) He later adds, "The Jungian contributions to our understanding of what makes each person unique are subtle, complex, and insightful. They need to be appropriated in a Christian spirit." (Pg. 89) He also summarizes, "Jung confirms in different terminology the Christian atonement experience: I need to give up my own selfish will as the ultimate solution to my life's problems and enter into a cooperative venture with this healing reality if I am ever to find harmony and creativity." (Pg. 136)
He points out, however, that "there were certain things that my Jungian friends did not provide. First of all they did not teach me commitment to a loving saviour upon whom I could call at all times. Had I not had my own theological and religious background I might have been at sea without a compass." (Pg. 118)
This book will be of great interest to Christians interested in psychology in general, and Jungian psychology in particular; it may also be of some interest to secular Jungians, to see how Jung's insights may be utilized by those in spiritual traditions.
Morton T. Kelsey (1917-2001) was an Episcopal priest, counselor, and teacher formerly at the University of Notre Dame; he wrote many popular books, such as 'Encounter With God: A Theology of Christian Experience,' 'Healing and Christianity: In ancient thought and modern times,' 'Tongue Speaking: The History and Meaning of Charismatic Experience,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1982 book, "I have been on a personal religious quest for over forty years. My wife, Barbara, joined me in this quest... For thirty years I have been closely associated with Jungian analysts and had the opportunity of attending the Jung Institute in Zurich and of meeting Dr. Jung... I also discovered that the depth psychology of Jung ... offered an understanding and explanation of this way of salvation... This book is intended to be a very practical and accessible guide to help people who wish to combine the insights of depth psychology with those of vital Christianity... Throughout this book we shall be demonstrating the relationship between Jung and Christianity and discussing how he helps us understand the religious dimension of life and discern genuine religious experience... Jung has given us an understanding of the depth of Jesus Christ's knowledge of human beings and their spiritual life." (Pg. ix-xi)
Begins the book by stating, "Because of my extensive involvement with analytical psychology, I am sometimes asked if I am a Jungian. I usually answer, 'No, I am a Christian who has found the thinking of Jung helpful in communicating the world view and message of Jesus to seeking, educated, modern men and women.'" (Pg. 1)
He recalls, "Some years into the ministry I found myself in a dead-end street. I was intellectually burned out... This is typical of the experience of many graduates of liberal seminaries... a woman in the parish... saw my tension and suggested that I call Max Zeller, an analyst... This is a sad commentary on the Christian church. I had to go to a secular Jewish Jungian analyst for soul healing... It was ironic that as a Christian priest I had to learn to have fellowship with God through the help of a Jungian analyst." (Pg. 4)
He observes, "It is difficult for us living in a predominantly materialistic culture to understand that Jung and the church are really affirming the substantial reality of a spiritual world." (Pg. 46) He recounts, "Few books have moved me more in my life than Jung's Memories, Dreams, Reflections... This book was a turning point in my life and confirmed the validity of my own journey." (Pg. 65) He later adds, "The Jungian contributions to our understanding of what makes each person unique are subtle, complex, and insightful. They need to be appropriated in a Christian spirit." (Pg. 89) He also summarizes, "Jung confirms in different terminology the Christian atonement experience: I need to give up my own selfish will as the ultimate solution to my life's problems and enter into a cooperative venture with this healing reality if I am ever to find harmony and creativity." (Pg. 136)
He points out, however, that "there were certain things that my Jungian friends did not provide. First of all they did not teach me commitment to a loving saviour upon whom I could call at all times. Had I not had my own theological and religious background I might have been at sea without a compass." (Pg. 118)
This book will be of great interest to Christians interested in psychology in general, and Jungian psychology in particular; it may also be of some interest to secular Jungians, to see how Jung's insights may be utilized by those in spiritual traditions.
March 8, 2008
A fuller exposition of ideas that Kelsey first presented in Discernment (q.v.). A rewarding read.
July 28, 2015
Not as good as "Healing & Christianity."
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews