A History of Pastoral Care in America: From Salvation to Self-Realization

by E. Brooks Holifield

Here, for the first time, the development of pastoral care as a discipline has been documented. Dr. Holifield details the shift in emphasis from saving souls to supporting individuals in self-realization, and in the process raises thought-provoking questions about the preoccupation with psychological methodology evident in modern society and clergy. "Every pastor wittingly or unwittingly adopts some 'theory' of pastoral counseling, whether it be derived from the seventeenth century or from the twentieth," says Dr. Holifield. From colonial America's intellectual approach to today's therapeutic "self" culture, he explores those theories. Theological, social, economic, and psychological threads are interwoven with fascinating conversational examples to show how Protestantism helped to form--and was influenced by--changing social orders. Broad in scope, scholarly in detail, yet immensely readable, this is an important book for clinical pastoral educators, students, professionals--everyone interested in church and social history.

Genres: History, Counselling, Church History, Theology

Paperback

First published November 1, 1983

Reviews

[Andrew McHenry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn into this one by way of an online discussion on the history of the self-help genre in the church. It's a very tedious read, but it is well-researched and is good history. It covers the evolution of thought in the ministry area that's come to be known as "pastoral care" - going back to the earliest days of our nation. As the title suggests, it's focused largely on America and its European influences, and its focus gravitates towards 20th century mainline Protestantism. Unfortunately there's little to no coverage from Catholic, Pentecostal, African-American denominations, Latino traditions, etc.

It goes through a lot of dense philosophical categories, based on how in different eras of history pastors and theologians thought the human mind/soul was comprised. I'm inclined to think it would be a better read for someone who had seriously delved into the primary sources. Each paragraph contains a lot of very condensed summaries of writers and lines of thought that were prevailing at the time. It's kind of hard to digest.

Nonetheless it is a good read if taken to supplement the broader study of pastoral care. The history of the Clinical Pastoral Education movement (known to most of us as C.P.E.) was particularly valuable (speaking as someone who's been through it and has been shaped by it). The larger theme from the subtitle - the shift from salvation to self-realization - is also well-articulated.

The author gives good commentary at the end on how psychological language runs the risk of subsuming Christian tradition and doctrine - and how that conflation is sometimes taken into dangerous excesses.

The material can be a bit overwhelming, but the author's final epilogue sums up the major findings really well - which helps to put it all together in the end.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

E. Brooks Holifield’s A History of Pastoral Care In America provides an in-depth survey of pastoral care’s development in America’s history, including the European influence on hierarchical elements within society and the church, focusing on theological issues that “…reappear in various forms in every period of American History.” He notes the transitions in the church and clergy, in their pastoral care, the encroachment of psychological influences, the growing influence of liberal theology on pastoral care, the role of various battles in embracing the therapeutic, and the features of mental philosophy, psychology, insight, understanding, religious symbolism, and the emphasis on self-realization.

Strengths: Extensive survey, explanation, and overview of church and societal influences, of natural theology, psychology, and of four influential views within American pastoral care.

Weakness: Confused debates about self-love, self-realization, etc. Survey ends in the late ‘60’s, before the popularizing of Christian psychology in the church and the growth of Nouthetic Counseling in pastoral care.

Use in Biblical Counseling: Demonstrates the confused systems of thought when Christ and His Word are not embraced as all-sufficient; encourages humility in sharpening oneself in soul care, and shows why one must be alert to cultural and psychological influences.

As a whole, this was a tremendous book about the history of pastoral care in America.

[LMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough, sometimes dizzying overview of theories of pastoral care in America since the 17th century. Starting with the Puritans and working up to pastoral theologians of the late twentieth century, Holifield traces developing theories of sin, the workings of the human soul, mind, and will, and the functions of the pastor – as rebuker, persuader, genteel minister, manly role model, mental philosopher, psychological aide, to a more explicit role of pastoral counselor. Having finished it I feel like I would need to go over it again a few more times to even begin to digest or remember the vast number of names, places, and theories that were touched on. I recognized maybe 3 out of the 50+ writers, pastors, and psychologists mentioned. But, broad strokes, I have a better grasp on the transition of thought over time in America regarding the “cure of souls.”

[Trey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a required reading for school. After finishing the book all I can say is I am glad I read it, but I would not read it for fun. Holifiled is beyond thorough in his analysis of changing ideals from the Puritans to modern America. Though he does wade too deep into other discussions which seem unnecessary. There is no doubt he is a top Christian historian and scholar. However, I would not pick this off the shelf and hand to someone to read simply because they are interested in pastoral care or counseling.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a history of liberal pastoral care in American history. It is as if there were no orthodox Christians in pastoral ministry after the Great Awakening of the 18th century. I know this isn't true, but it does seem to agree with Jay Adams comments in Competent to Counsel. Where did all the conservatives go? Why did the care of souls so quickly find their answers in modern philosophies and psychologies? Why aren't more Christians today looking in their Bibles to find the answers for life?