Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith: An Introductory Guide

by Paul Moes, Donald J. Tellinghuisen

Introductory psychology courses can raise significant questions about the nature of being human. Christianity, with its emphasis on humans made in the image of God, has a clear perspective. Psychology offers answers too, but they are often subtly implied.

This introductory guide, drawn from more than fifty years of classroom experience, provides students with a coherent framework for considering psychology from a Christian perspective. The authors explore biblical themes of human nature in relation to all major areas of psychology, showing how a Christian understanding of humans can inform the study of psychology. Brief, accessible chapters correspond to standard introductory psychology textbooks, making this an excellent supplemental text. End-of-chapter questions are included.

Genres: Psychology, School, Theology, Christian

298 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2014

About the author

Paul Moes (PhD, Texas Christian University) is professor of psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously taught at Dordt College for eighteen years. He has written about Christian approaches to understanding brain function, personal responsibility, and human nature.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who's practicing child development and Christianity, as well as a self taught in psychology and how the brain works, learns and heals, this book brought the words right out of my mouth! Before reading this book, I already have lots of insights on how certain psychology and child dev parallels the Bible. Things like how conscious discipline teaches parents to respond (pause) instead of reacting- james 1:19. Alfie Kohn's "punished by rewards" teaches what unconditional love looks like- Old Testament focuses on punishments and how it doesn't really work for humans to save ourselves; unlike the NT wherein it was Jesus who did everything for us. Children's misbehaviors are connection seeking (they just don't know how to articulate their needs better), some "misbehaviors" also comes from curiosity- the same curiosity as what Eve did (God made us curious, but satan used our gifts that made us stumble away from God).

They're a lot of mirrors and parallels and I'm so happy I'm not the only one who's thought that it's possible to connect them two together.

[Harley Cottingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fascinating! I learned so much about the way the brain functions and how our mental state is associated with our physical and our spiritual. While every chapter tackled a different subject (remembering, thinking, identity, nature, nurture, etc.) and did inform really cool things that do have a say in how we approach fighting sin, being aware of our nature, how to comfort people, etc. I feel as if the author could have had a bigger emphasis on the spiritual application. Perhaps that is my fault for expecting a deeper application portion, but this book serves far more in explaining psychology and how some things play a role spiritually (although in a broad sense). 3/5

[Jacob Hudgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good introduction to some of the major issues in harmonizing psychology and Christian faith. I appreciated that the book downplays the deterministic view of human behavior in favor of agency and human responsibility. The chapter on Christian compassion for those who are mentally ill or less than ideal was very helpful and the final chapter gives a crash course on the type of counseling an untrained Christian should give.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psychology in our era has come to dominate so much of our lives. Almost everyone who has lived in the modern era knows some things about it. The fight between psychology and the church has also not been settled definitely yet. As someone who’s reading psychology at the undergraduate level, I’ve always wanted to think christianly about what I’m studying. Currently, I’m tilting towards the biblical counselling track, but still open to listen to what others have to say. So it was with delight when I saw the opportunity to read this book.

Paul Moes & Donald Tellinghuisen has written a book that aim to be an introduction for christians studying psychology. Moes and Tellinghuisen first introduces the reader to five themes that the bibles teaches us about what man truly is. These five themes then build the basis and foundation of how the authors (and the readers) will think christianly about psychology. They would be consistently revisited and reviewed as the authors bring the readers through the various chapters.

Moes and Tellinghuisen does a comprehensive work and cover most of the topics that an undergraduate will cover in their studies. They were covered in depth to allow the readers time and space to learn and think about the topics. Also, Moes and Tellinghuisen constantly help the readers think christianly about what is usually thought in the textbooks.

What Moes and Tellinghuisen does well, is they do not give an one-sided approach to the topics. Often they are able to present the topics succinctly yet able to give an accurate picture of what they are about.

However, there are some areas of improvement too. First, I found little statistics inside the book, far too often I find myself studying a lot of statistics that studies uses to validate their results. Next, I found the book not very balanced, I found chapters 14, 15 and 16 exceptionally well written as compared to the rest of the book, future editions should endeavour to present the rest of the chapters as exceptional as the last 3 chapters were. Lastly, although the authors constantly referred to their five themes, I find that more biblical support or if certain relevant bible verses can be referred to at the appropriate chapters would make it even better. What will make this book even better would be a short chapter either at the front or the back on the various perspectives christians approach psychology. This would be the most appropriate place for a student to explore and gain valuable insights into the different schools of thoughts.

Having said all that, I would no doubt gladly recommend this book to anyone who intends to study psychology in the future. If you intend or are currently studying psychology, this would be a good introduction for you. Be prepared to soak and learn all you can from this book before you embark onto your studies.

Rating: 4 / 5

Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource exploring psychology and Christianity: the points of contact, the points of agreement and disagreement, and attempting to make sense of what can and cannot be known.

The authors have written the resource so as to help introductory psychology students reconcile their Christian faith with what they are learning from their classes. I am not a psychology student but have heard many things about psychology and found the book helpful both to explain current ideas in psychology as well as where there is agreement and disagreement with Christianity.

The authors first set forth the major themes which are of interest in psychology but also in Christianity; they discuss various psychological theories, their strengths and weaknesses, and their relationship to Christian ideas; they talk about various aspects of self, thought, emotion, and actions, and the psychological and Christian take on such things; the book ends with discussions of "normalcy"/mental disorders and the place of therapy.

The authors provide an appropriately "ecumenical" position for their task, not imposing any particular denominational flavor on the material even though at times it might have been possible (Calvinism). They find value in psychology but do not become apologists for it; they clearly lay out the difficulties the theories engender, what the evidence does and does not point to, and are able to find ways of showing how one can remain fully committed to historic/orthodox Christianity and find a way forward in psychology.

A useful introductory resource for anyone seeking to make sense of psychology in Christian terms.

**--book received as part of early review program

[Heath Henwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith
By Paul Moes and Donald Tellinghuisen

The Christian faith and Psychology do not usually sit together. Moes and Tellinghuisen have written a textbook at undergraduate level for studying the topic.

They address five Biblical themes about man and explain how that fits around modern psychology. The work is comprehensive, presents arguments supporting different viewpoints.

An ideal textbook for Christians studying psychology.



Reviewed by Heath Henwood.
Copy received via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.
Books reviewed by Heath can be found at http://books-reviewed.weebly.com/

[Beau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book. It's a great introduction to issues between Christian faith and psychology. I learned to think more clearly about psychology as well as faith.