Johnson (Ph.D., Michigan State University) is associate professor of personality and theology at Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a frequent contributor to the Journal of Psychology and Theology.
Jones, Stanton L. (Ed.) :
Jones is provost and professor of psychology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. During his tenure as chair
of the psychology department (1984-1996), he lead the development of Wheaton's Doctor of Psychology program in
clinical psychology. He received his B.S. in psychology from Texas A & M University in 1976, and his M.A. (1978)
and Ph.D. (1981) degrees in clinical psychology from Arizona State University. He is a member of the American Psychological
Association and serves on the Council of Representatives, the central governing body of the APA, representing the
Psychology of Religion division. Jones authored the lead article on "Religion and Psychology" for the
Encyclopedia of Psychology, jointly published in 2000 by the American Psychological Association and Oxford University
Press. His article in the March 1994 American Psychologist, titled "A Constructive Relationship for Religion
with the Science and Profession of Psychology: Perhaps the Best Model Yet," was a call for greater respect
for and cooperation with religion by secular psychologists. Jones has also written, with his wife, Brenna, a five-book
series on sex education in the Christian family called God's Design for Sex.
Summary
Psychology has exploded across the academic and popular landscape in the last hundred years. Dozens of schools
of thought have arisen and thousands of books have been written on the nature of our personalities, our development,
our relationships and our inner well-being.
All of this has been of interest (and sometimes of concern) to Christians because of the importance we place on
a correct understanding of human nature. Psychology often seems disconnected from, if not antithetical to, Christian
perspectives on life. How do we relate our cherished Christian beliefs about persons to what secular versions of
psychology tell us?
In this book are gathered four models of the relationship of psychology and Christianity. David Powlison (Westminster
Theological Seminary) offers the biblical counseling model. The levels-of-explanation model is advanced by David
G. Myers (Hope College), while Gary Collins (former executive director of American Association of Christian Counselors)
introduces the integration model. The Christian psychology model is put forth by Robert C. Roberts (Baylor University).
Each of the contributors responds to the other essayists, noting points of agreement as well as problems they see.
Editors Eric L. Johnson and Stanton L. Jones also provide an introduction to the history of Christians and psychology
as well as a conclusion that considers what might bind the four views together and how a reader might evaluate
the relative strengths and weaknesses of each view.
Features & Benefits :
offers four different Christian views on the relationship between psychology and Christianity
contributors present their own view and respond to the competing views
introduces readers to the history of Christians and psychology
considers strengths and weaknesses of each different view
editors Eric L. Johnson and Statnton L. Jones examine what might bind the four views together
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
1. A History of Christians in Psychology - Eric L. Johnson & Stanton L. Jones
2. A Levels-of-Explanation View - David G. Myers
An Integration Response
A Christian Psychology Response
A Biblical Counseling Response
3. An Integration View - Gary R. Collins
A Levels-of-Explanation Response
A Christian Psychology Response
A Biblical Counseling Response
4. A Christian Pyschology View - Robert C. Roberts
A Levels-of-Explanation Response
An Integration Response
A Biblical Counseling Response
5. A Biblical Counseling View - David Powlinson
A Levels-of-Explanation Response
An Integration Response
A Christian Psychology Response
6. Finding One Truth in Four Views - Eric L. Johnson & Stanton L. Jones
