Coming to Peace with Psychology: What Christians Can Learn from Psychological Science
"Few evangelicals have impacted contemporary psychology more than Everett Worthington. That alone makes the publication of his understanding of the relation between psychological science and Christian theology an important event. Suggesting that the relation is analogous to a marriage relationship and a dance, he argues for both their relative independence and the necessity that they be deeply engaged with and committed to each other. There is much to debate in this book, but the author's love of God, people and psychological science is evident throughout." (Eric L. Johnson, Ph.D., director, Society for Christian Psychology, and Lawrence and Charlotte Hoover Professor of Pastoral Care, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)"Everett Worthington is a significant scholar and researcher in the field of psychology who presents in this book a thoughtful and personal view of the relationship between psychology and Christian faith. In a winsome and irenic style, he argues for a relational partnership between theology and psychology that neither simplistically pits the fields in a struggle for authority, nor inappropriately intermingles their concepts and ideas. Most importantly, Worthington argues for the value of psychological research in this very important conversation about theological and psychological views of the nature of persons." (Warren S. Brown, Ph.D., professor, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, and director, Travis Research Institute)"This is psychology for the intelligent Christian! Worthington turns integration into a dance with full participation from the science of psychology and genuine faith. Culturally relevant and full of the most cutting-edge psychological research, Worthington is true to both his faith and science. To those that struggle with reconciling theology and psychology, this book is a faithful guide with genuine respect for both disciplines. Communicated with a readable style a beginning student could appreciate. All previous books on integration will need to be rewritten to respond to Worthington's ideas." (Jennifer Ripley, professor, School of Psychology and Counseling, Regent University)"Everett Worthington--accomplished psychological scientist, biblically rooted person of faith and professional writer--is the perfect person to assist Christians in coming to peace with today's psychology. With his conversational voice and dry wit, he introduces us to startling findings, differing perspectives, and evidence-based insights on faith and faithful living. Highly recommended!" (David G. Myers, Hope College, author of A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists: Musings on Why God Is Good and Faith Isn't Evil)"This book will make you think! Everett Worthington is one of the most intelligent and influential Christians involved in scientific psychology. Coming to Peace with Psychologymay not put you at peace with every dimension of psychology and theology, but it will definitely deepen your perspective and provoke you to consider ways that the science of psychology can enrich our understanding of God." (Mark R. McMinn, professor of psychology, George Fox University, and coauthor of Integrative Psychotherapy: Toward a Comprehensive Christian Approach)"Past discussions of how psychology and theology are related have tended to be written either from the perspective of psychotherapists and counselors or from that of psychological scientists. In a remarkably well-informed, wide-ranging review of the literature, Everett Worthington argues that 'we are wise to look at all sources of information and wisdom we have at our disposal--and this includes both Scripture and psychological science.' This outstanding book is an invaluable, up-to-date reference source on issues at the interface of psychology and Christian belief." (Malcolm Jeeves, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, St. Andrews University, former editor-in-chief, Neuropsychologia and past president, Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's National Academy)