Page 2 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 5

Editorial

In November 2013, with my wife Agnes, I had the privilege of being a
guest for a number of mornings at the Center for Christian Thought at
Biola University in California. My friend Eric Johnson, from the Society
for Christian Psychology, was spending a research semester there. There,
as well as at the neighbouring Fuller Seminary and Asuza Pacific Universi-
ty, I met distinguished representatives in the area of psychology and Chri-
stian faith. This alone would have enough to fill this current edition of
Christian Psychology Around The World.
This is only a brief glance at the rich human resources in this country,
people whose burden is to express the life-preserving and life-promoting
treasures of our Christian faith in contemporary language within psycho-
logy, allowing themselves, at the same time, to be stimulated by this and
honouring God in all things.
The abundance of work in Christian psychology in the USA led me to depart, for the current edition
of this e-journal, from the previous scheme in order to profit especially from the denominational di-
versity and the academic spectrum. It is a joy for me to bring these valuable impulses into the world-
wide discussion.
The resulting present, wide-ranging e-journal not only an invitation to participate in a reading ad-
venture, but also seeks to appeal to our sight and hearing. This happens very visibly, of course, with
the insights into the artistic work of the family of Rick Beerhorst. Besides that, we are experimenting
for the first time with links, within some contributions to this e-journal, leading to videos or supple-
mentary information.
During our California visit, we also stocked up on specialist literature, coming across one “oldie” in
the process: Whole-Hearted Integration. Harmonizing Psychology and Christianity Through Word
and Deed, by Kirk E. Farnsworth, 1985. He writes as follows (p. 16): “Is integration ever whole, or
complete, when it is only intellectual? And if personally lived experience is brought in, is it seen as the
natural and necessary completion of the integration process? These are the questions that should be
asked of every integrative approach. Talking and walking, that is what wholehearted integration is all
about. And that means talking through the inert data and facts with the living God.”
I invite you, with this 5th edition of Christian Psychology Around The World, to a conversation with
God about what you read (talking), with the wish to go with this through life and your service to
others (walking), trusting that God goes with each of us.

Yours
Werner May, Germany
werner.may@ignis.de

This edition is accompanied by the
artwork of Rick Beerhorst and his
family.
“For the past 20 years I have been
making my living and supporting
my family entirely from my art. ...
This way of living has been a deep
walk of faith since our cash flow
over the years has always been erra-
tic at best. Our children have grown
up in this milieu of making and sel-
ling things. They have also learned
to make their own creations and
sell them as well which has made
the whole thing a family affair not
unlike a circus family who grow up
working and performing together.”

002