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Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books
Modern Psychopathologies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal
Modern Psychopathologies is addressed to students and mental health professionals who want to sort through contemporary secular understandings of psychopathology in relation to a Christian worldview. Written by well-known and respected scholars, the book, in nine core chapters, provides an introduction to a set of disorders along with overviews of current research on etiology, treatment and prevention. Prior chapters give a context for the integration of Christianity and the scientific study of psychopathology, and articulate integrative themes discussed throughout the book, providing a foundation for the concluding vision for Christian health professionals and the church. This is a unique and valuable resource for Christians studying psychology and counseling, or providing counseling services, pastoral care, Christian healing ministries or spiritual direction. Though fully capable of standing on its own, it is also a useful companion volume to Modern Psychotherapies by Stanton L. Jones and Richard E. Butman.
457 pages, Hardcover
First published June 15, 2005
41 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Mark A. Yarhouse
33 books69 followersMark A. Yarhouse is a professor of psychology and the director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity at Regent University. He is also part of a group practice in the Virginia Beach area, providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling. Dr. Yarhouse received his PsyD from Wheaton College and has worked collaboratively on a number of books. He and his family live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 26, 2019
This book deserves three stars because it was a book was not able to keep my interest. The content and position that the author takes is a good position. I believe that the three authors could have had an even better view of the integration between psychology and Christianity through the biblical counselling model over the integration model.
The book is, as it claims, comprehensive. The detractor is that the book seems to be poorly organized. It ends up reexplaining concepts that have been explained multiple times before as if it were not read. If this book was intended to be a reference work rather than a concise comprehensive book, then it deserves four stars, but I believe it to be too shallow to be the one-stop reference guide.
The content within it is excellent, but the depth of the book requires a lot of intentional effort to get through. The language and jargon show up quickly, which is not explained like some concepts that are explained in nearly every chapter, and by readjusting a few sections, this book could easily be 100 pages shorter if not more.
The book is, as it claims, comprehensive. The detractor is that the book seems to be poorly organized. It ends up reexplaining concepts that have been explained multiple times before as if it were not read. If this book was intended to be a reference work rather than a concise comprehensive book, then it deserves four stars, but I believe it to be too shallow to be the one-stop reference guide.
The content within it is excellent, but the depth of the book requires a lot of intentional effort to get through. The language and jargon show up quickly, which is not explained like some concepts that are explained in nearly every chapter, and by readjusting a few sections, this book could easily be 100 pages shorter if not more.
April 29, 2022
If you’re looking for a book that offers a biblical theological lens for viewing and understanding psychopathology, this is a good start. Offers a holistic view of persons and takes into consideration the influences of sin (our own and those committed against us), Christian community, and spiritual direction/soul care practices as it relates to our mental health/unhealth.
May 12, 2022
A Christian commentary on the modern study of psychology, with attention given to the official diagnoses found in the DSM-5. Emphasizes the need to bring the pastoral concept of soul care to the world of mental health.
(based on second edition)
(based on second edition)
July 14, 2025
It’s okay; however probably undergraduate level at best. Really lacking depth in terms of discussing psychopathology, and the Christian integration was woefully uninspiring. Perhaps if they tried to narrow the focus more they could have included more substance.
January 3, 2018
The way Yarhouse focuses on a holistic approach to counseling is refreshing in the Christian counseling worl.
April 12, 2018
This book is a great Christian worldview complement to a survey of psychopathology, i.e. the DSM.
September 26, 2018
An interesting mix of theology and psychology. Not quite the helpful, pastoral resource I thought it would be.
December 16, 2018
Required reading. In the context of the class in which the book was assigned, it was adequate, but is not something I would normally pick up to read.
June 19, 2025
An excellent resource for bridging the gap between pastoral care and professional therapy for individuals in need. There is room for both!
October 16, 2016
Modern Psychopathologies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal (second edition) by Barrett W. McRay, Mark A. Yarhouse, and Richard E. Butman brings together the most recent and up-to-date material in psychopathology, and presents it to the reader in as an ideal point of reference for both pastors and clinicians. This second edition builds upon the effectiveness and success of the former edition, while at the same time aligning the content with the most recent editions of the standard references in the field of psychopathology (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-5] and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems [ICD-10]). This is a full volume that is both sensitive and informative to issues that color the increasingly relevant world of mental disorders.
Like the first edition, this second edition of Modern Psychopathologies is divided into three major sections. The first section tackles the issues related to “Christian” psychopathology. This section provides a basis for recognizing the placement of psychopathologies in the history of pastoral care, classification of mental disorders, and the relationship between sin and psychopathology in the Christian worldview. This section is absolutely imperative to the reader approaching this volume for assistance from a Christian perspective. The second section comprises the bulk of the book and will function as the most used section for most readers. It is here that classifications of psychopathologies are discussed in detail, including problems in childhood and adolescence, anxiety, the development of self, problems of arising from trauma, sexuality and gender, addiction, and more. This section does well in equipping the reader with the “nuts and bolts” of each classification and provides excellent suggestions on pastoral care. The final section is comprised of a single chapter that functions to cast a forward vision for the study of psychopathology in a world plagued with imperfection, but also redeemable in Christ.
I would consider myself to be no more than an interested bystander to the conversations in this book. That said I am hard pressed to critically engage with the content of this book from the perspective of psychopathology. I simply have to nod and agree with those that have devoted their lives to such pursuits. Nevertheless, I would consider myself equipped to analyze the worldview implications of such conclusions, especially for a volume that claims to be a “comprehensive Christian appraisal.” As a layman it is here that I found the most benefit of this volume. It was easy to read, interesting, informative, faithfully balanced, and sensitive to the end user. Moreover, the organization of the volume is perfectly situated to achieve the authors’ goal. As an integrated approach, Modern Psychopathologies is clearly written, expertly informed, and unashamedly biblical.
This is a volume that both pastors and clinicians will enjoy and use often. If you are either, and you are looking for an up-to-date evaluation of this increasingly relevant field of study from a Christian perspective, Modern Psychopathologies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal (second edition) by Barrett W. McRay, Mark A. Yarhouse, and Richard E. Butman is the first, and maybe even the only volume you will need. It comes highly recommended!
Like the first edition, this second edition of Modern Psychopathologies is divided into three major sections. The first section tackles the issues related to “Christian” psychopathology. This section provides a basis for recognizing the placement of psychopathologies in the history of pastoral care, classification of mental disorders, and the relationship between sin and psychopathology in the Christian worldview. This section is absolutely imperative to the reader approaching this volume for assistance from a Christian perspective. The second section comprises the bulk of the book and will function as the most used section for most readers. It is here that classifications of psychopathologies are discussed in detail, including problems in childhood and adolescence, anxiety, the development of self, problems of arising from trauma, sexuality and gender, addiction, and more. This section does well in equipping the reader with the “nuts and bolts” of each classification and provides excellent suggestions on pastoral care. The final section is comprised of a single chapter that functions to cast a forward vision for the study of psychopathology in a world plagued with imperfection, but also redeemable in Christ.
I would consider myself to be no more than an interested bystander to the conversations in this book. That said I am hard pressed to critically engage with the content of this book from the perspective of psychopathology. I simply have to nod and agree with those that have devoted their lives to such pursuits. Nevertheless, I would consider myself equipped to analyze the worldview implications of such conclusions, especially for a volume that claims to be a “comprehensive Christian appraisal.” As a layman it is here that I found the most benefit of this volume. It was easy to read, interesting, informative, faithfully balanced, and sensitive to the end user. Moreover, the organization of the volume is perfectly situated to achieve the authors’ goal. As an integrated approach, Modern Psychopathologies is clearly written, expertly informed, and unashamedly biblical.
This is a volume that both pastors and clinicians will enjoy and use often. If you are either, and you are looking for an up-to-date evaluation of this increasingly relevant field of study from a Christian perspective, Modern Psychopathologies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal (second edition) by Barrett W. McRay, Mark A. Yarhouse, and Richard E. Butman is the first, and maybe even the only volume you will need. It comes highly recommended!
February 29, 2012
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it for anyone who desires a scientifically respectable yet spiritually rich and gospel centered understanding of psychopathologies.
May 1, 2008
For class. It's good.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews