The Living God and Our Living Psyche: What Christians Can Learn from Carl Jung

by Ann Belford Ulanov

Why should Christians bother to read Carl Jung? He may be one of the most famous psychologists of the twentieth century, but are his views and ideas really compatible with Christian faith? While acknowledging some Christian suspicion of Jung, Ann Belford Ulanov and Alvin Dueck maintain that Jung's psychology can indeed enhance the life of faith.

Genres: Psychology, Theology

119 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2008

Reviews

[Josh McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna Ulanov and Alvin Dueck’s book, “The Living God and Out Living Psyche: What Christians Can Learn from Carl Jung,” is a collection of writings from Christian/Jungian psychotherapist, Ann Ulanov. The purpose of writing this book for Ulanov was to bring discussions to the table about why Christian should read Carl Jung and whether his ideas are compatible with the Christian faith.

Ulanov, being a Christian herself, but also a psychotherapist who saw a lot of benefit from Jung’s techniques, try your best to show fairness to both Jung’s work and the Christian faith. Ulanov leaves that there is a lot that can be taken from Jung’s teachings, but also some inconsistencies. Sometimes Ulanov fully agrees with Jung, but other times she clearly and critically disagrees with Jung or present a constructive critique of his inconsistencies and explains more consistent ways where Jung’s ideas could be expanded towards Christian theological convictions. Ulanov avoid completely accepting Jung’s views and avoids completely rejecting Jung’s views. Her goal is not to try and make him Christian, but just assert that some of his views are helpful to religiously sensitive therapists.

Unalov’s main message throughout seems to be to take spirituality serious means that people need to address it in their own lives and look for it in the lives of their clients. Similar to Jung, she uses religion as integral to understanding a person, and also to healing.

The main differences between Ulanov and Jung are the personhood of God, the self vs God, and the ideas relating to evil. Jung frequently interprets God as an archetypal image emerging from the collective unconscious, whereas Ulanov insists that God is a real, personal being who exists independently of human psychology. Similarly, Jung’s emphasis on individuation and the centrality of the Self risks elevating psychological wholeness above divine transcendence. Ulanov counters this by arguing that true human fulfillment must remain oriented toward God rather than inward toward self-integration alone. Finally, Jung’s psychological framing of evil as shadow material contrasts with the Christian understanding of sin as moral and spiritual rupture, requiring repentance and divine grace rather than merely psychological integration. In these ways, Ulanov affirms Jung’s therapeutic contributions while firmly grounding her critique in Christian theology.

There are not many books that dive into the Christian perspective comparatively with Jung’s works, but Ulanov rises to the challenge. This book is effective at articulating these ideas on Jung’s playing field, but I felt that Ulanov could dive even deeper.

[Gidi Rosenfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the parallels between religion and depth psychology, though certainly written for the devout Christian audience and not as accessible for those unfamiliar with the Christian faith. Overall I still got a lot out of this short book, and I think some of the descriptions of the Self archetype and its transcendent function were especially enlightening. Would definitely recommend this book to Christians who are interested in expanding how they understand their faith.

[Anita Ashland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for Christians to read if they want a better understanding of Carl Jung’s work.

[Drick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Bedford Ulanov is a Jungian psychotherapist and a professing Christian. In this book she outlines the way an understanding of Carl Jung’s views on the human psyche and spirituality and a Christian view of God, prayer and the religious life can enhance and inform each other. She takes Jung with a critical eye, at times editing his view of the numinous and transcendent dimensions of life in a way that deepens our understanding of how the human believer interacts with the divine. As a person always interested in he interception and interaction of psychology and spirituality, I found this book to be enriching and encouraging in my attempt to live a balanced and healthy life both psychologically and spiritually.

[Allyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction by a seasoned Jungian analyst and professor of Christian theology.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Provides an opportunity to further contemplate self in relation to God and others. Definitely recommend it, looking forward to reading other books by Ulanov!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jung is intriguing.