Psychology and Spiritual Formation in Dialogue: Moral and Spiritual Change in Christian Perspective

by Thomas M. Crisp (Editor), Steven L. Porter (Editor), Gregg A. Ten Elshof (Editor)

Can the phenomena of the human mind be separated from the practices of spiritual formation―of growing to have the mind of Christ? Research into the nature of moral and spiritual change has revived in recent years in the worlds of psychology on one hand and theology and philosophy on the other. But psychology and spiritual formation draw upon distinct bodies of research and theory grounded in different methodologies, resulting in conversation that has suffered from a lack of interdisciplinary cross-pollination. Rooted in a year-long discussion held by Biola University's Center for Christian Thought (CCT), this volume bridges the gaps caused by professional specialization among psychology, theology, and philosophy. Each essay was forged out of an integrative discussion among theologians, psychologists, philosophers, New Testament scholars, educators, and pastors around the CCT seminar table. Topics that emerged included relational and developmental spirituality, moral virtue and judgment, and suffering and trauma. Psychology and Spiritual Formation in Dialogue speaks across disciplinary divides, fostering fruitful conversation for fresh insights into the nature and dynamics of personal spiritual change. Contributors include

• Justin L. Barrett, School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary
• Earl D. Bland, Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University
• Ellen T. Charry, Princeton Seminary
• John H. Coe, Biola University
• Robert A. Emmons, University of California, Davis
• Stephen Evans, Baylor University
• Bruce Hindmarsh, Regent College, Vancouver
• Marie T. Hoffman, New York University
• James M. Houston, Regent College, Vancouver
• Steven J. Sandage, David R. Paine, and Jonathan Morgan, Boston University
• Siang Yang Tan, School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary
• Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Brandon J. Griffin, and Caroline R. Lavelock, Virginia Commonwealth University

Edited by

• Thomas M. Crisp, professor of philosophy, Biola University
• Steve L. Porter, professor of theology, spiritual formation, and philosophy, Talbot School of Theology and Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University
• Gregg Ten Elshof, professor of philosophy, Biola University

Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Books explore how Christianity relates to mental health and behavioral sciences including psychology, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy in order to equip Christian clinicians to support the well-being of their clients.