Page 3 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 20

Editorial

What do you think? Is a global Chris�an Psychology conceivable?

My answer is no and yes.
First of all, no. No, because there are too many differences.
The star�ng factors of our search for a Chris�an psychology are different cultures, languages,
denomina�ons, theologies and personal faith experiences, we are professionals with our
own psychological training and prac�cal areas of responsibility what, in turn, means
subjec�ve experiences.

But then yes: unity does not mean that we have to have the same opinion or can agree on
one textbook, but that we perceive a shared horizon and have an an�cipa�on and longing for
what lies beyond that horizon. And then everyone sets off from their different posi�on.
When we exchange ideas in our search for a specific and independent Chris�an Psychology
as siblings and as friends, we will develop this idea that there is something in common
outside of our own horizon and also the convic�on that the path to it connects us more than
shared texts, because we are grounded in our Chris�an worldview, with the Trinitarian God
standing, working and loving in the centre.

Our journey may probably be most frui�ul when our dialogue focuses
on a specific prac�cal field of applica�on in which we have gained
professional experience over a longer period, whether for
example counseling of ea�ng disorders or the development of
ques�onnaires or pedagogical tasks.

Behind the horizon there is future, there is unity, there is new
knowledge, and wai�ng for us, we will also meet grace.
I hope that this edi�on of Chris�an Psycholoy Around The World will
contribute to that.

Yours, Werner May
emcapp.eu
post@werner-may.de

Why do we have a bilingual journal?
In our movement for Chris�an Psychology, we meet as Chris�ans with very different backgrounds: different churches, dif-
ferent cul-tures, different professional trainings...
There is a common desire for the movement, but highly “mul�-lingual” ideas of its realiza�on! Therefore, a bilingual
journal is just a small reference to our mul�lingual voices to remind us:
Languages are an expression of cultures, countries and of their people. By wri�ng in two languages, we want to show our
respect to the authors of the ar�cles, to their origin and heritage, and at the same �me symbolically show respect to all
the readers in other foreign countries.
There are many foreign languages that we do not understand. Within our own language, we intend to understand one
another, but we fail to do so quite o�en. To really understand one another is a great challenge, and we also want to point
to this challenge by offering a bilingual journal.
“When languages die, knowledge about life gets lost.” (Suzanne Romaine, 2011)
Finally, there is a pragma�c reason: As we want to have authors from one special country to write the main ar�cles of
every journal, it will be easier for them to distribute the journal in their own country, when it also is in their own language.

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