Page 121 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 5

The Society for Christian Psychology

There is no fundamental incompatibility of science and religion; both
are ways of knowing that can contribute to human welfare. There is
much repair work to be done in helping Christians to understand
and not fear psychological science. Psychological knowledge and
methods can be beneficial in pastoral counseling3 and can be used
to help Christians practice the disciplines and values of their faith4.

Finally I hope that SCP will promote new thinking about a Christian
psychology, the unique perspectives that can arise when theological
wisdom and psychological science are considered together5,6. This
is not to create a separate psychology for Christians, but rather to en-
rich our understanding of human nature. Psychology is after all the
study of the psyche – the spirit, the totality of human nature. Over
the 20th century psychology first shrank to focus on mind, then
more narrowly on behavior and, more recently, still more narrowly
on brain activity. Psychology first lost its soul and then its mind. It
has regained its mind now with the science of cognition and aware-
ness, and there are signs of recovering its soul as well. As psycholo-
gy matures may we return to being curious about and studying the
whole person – body, mind, and spirit – which in Judeo-Christian
tradition are not separate but intimately interwoven.

Delaney HD, Miller WR, Bisono AM. Religiosity and spirituality among psycho-
logists: A survey of clinician members of the American Psychological Association.
Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 2007;38:538-546.
Propst LR, Ostrom R, Watkins P, Dean T, Mashburn D. Comparative efficacy of
religious and nonreligious cognitive-behavior therapy for the treatment of clinical
depression in religious individuals. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
1992;60:94-103.
Miller WR, Jackson KA. Practical psychology for pastors. 2nd ed. Eugene, OR:
Wipf & Stock; 2010.
Miller WR, Martin JE, eds. Behavior therapy and religion: Integrating spiritual
and behavioral approaches to change. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications; 1988.
Doniger S, ed The nature of man in theoological and psychological perspective.
New York: Harper; 1962.
Miller WR, Delaney HD, eds. Judeo-Christian perspectives on psychology: Hu-
man nature, motivation and change. Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association; 2005.

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