Reviews
From the reviews:"James Nelson's book … is explicitly offered in the tradition of dialogue. … The great strength of this book lies in the impressive array of topics it covers … . those interested in delving further into a particular topic will surely welcome this surfeit of citations … . Nelson's postmodern and pluralistic perspective, and the final emphasis on practical applications will … make it attractive for potential adoption as a textbook in courses on psychology and religion, especially when a religion-friendly approach is desired." (David M. Wulff, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 54 (39), 2009)The book … will be a valuable resource for graduate students taking courses in the psychology of religion. Counseling professionals, especially those in spiritual and pastoral counseling, theologians, and religious practitioners and others taking seminary courses will find this book to be beneficial and enlightening. … This book is alone in offering a rich, in-depth, and fascinating dialog among psychologists, theologians, and religious practitioners on the fundamental questions of human existence and our place in the world. … will serve academics and counseling practitioners well. (Michael S. Goldsby, Doody's Review Service, January, 2010), Aus den Rezensionen:Das Gespräch zwischen Psychologie und Theologie wird in den USA viel ernsthafter als in Europa geführt. Dieser intensive Dialog wirkt sich besonders fruchtbar auf die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Psychotherapie und Seelsorge aus. Wer davon einen frischen Eindruck bekommen möchte, ist mit Nelsons Lehrbuch bestens bedient. Keine Angst, es ist hierzulande einfach und schnell verfügbar, didaktisch anschaulich aufbereitet und verständlich formuliert. ... ein professionell aufbereitetes Handbuch (mit ausführlichern Glossar!), das die aktuellen Themen, eine Überfülle empirischer Studien und maßgebliche Trends ... griffig darstellt ... (Dr. Michael Utsch, in: P&S Magazin für Psychotherapie und Seelsorge, May/2010, Issue 2, S. 53), From the reviews: "James Nelson's book ... is explicitly offered in the tradition of dialogue. ... The great strength of this book lies in the impressive array of topics it covers ... . those interested in delving further into a particular topic will surely welcome this surfeit of citations ... . Nelson's postmodern and pluralistic perspective, and the final emphasis on practical applications will ... make it attractive for potential adoption as a textbook in courses on psychology and religion, especially when a religion-friendly approach is desired." (David M. Wulff, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 54 (39), 2009) "The book ... will be a valuable resource for graduate students taking courses in the psychology of religion. Counseling professionals, especially those in spiritual and pastoral counseling, theologians, and religious practitioners and others taking seminary courses will find this book to be beneficial and enlightening. ... This book is alone in offering a rich, in-depth, and fascinating dialog among psychologists, theologians, and religious practitioners on the fundamental questions of human existence and our place in the world. ... will serve academics and counseling practitioners well." (Michael S. Goldsby, Doody's Review Service, January, 2010)
Table of Content
I. Fundamentals.1. Introduction to Psychology, Religion & Spirituality. 1.1. Introduction. 1.2. Basic Concepts: Religion and Spirituality. 1.3. Religion and Spirituality Today. 1.4. Psychological Approaches to Religion and Spirituality. 1.5. Religious and Theological Responses. 1.6. Current Research and Approaches. 1.7. Conclusion and a Look Ahead.2. Science, Religion and Psychology. 2.1. Philosophical Concepts and Issues. 2.2. Early Modern Views of Science and Religion. 2.3. The Rise of Classical Positivism. 2.4. Logical Positivism. 2.5. Contemporary Issues in Science and Religion. 2.6. Conclusion.3. Religious Traditions. 3.1. Hinduism. 3.2. Buddhism. 3.3. Christianity. 3.4. Conclusion.II. Dialogue--Past, Present, and Future.4. Phenomenological Approaches. 4.1. Introduction. 4.2. William James. 4.3. Perennial and Universalist Views. 4.4. Constructivism and Responses. 4.5. Conversion. 4.6. Religious Perspectives. 4.7. Conclusion.5. Psychodynamic and Relational Approaches. 5.1. Freud: Master of Suspicion. 5.2. Jung and Archetypal Religion. 5.3. Erik Ericson. 5.4. Object Relations Approaches. 5.5. Conclusion.6. Contemporary Approaches and Debates. 6.1. Neurobiological Approaches to Religion. 6.2. Evolutionary Psychology and Religion. 6.3. Postmodern Perspectives, Psychology, and Religion. 6.4. Conclusion.III. Human Development.7. Fundamentals of Human Development, Religion and Spirituality. 7.1. Basic Issues in Developmental Therapy. 7.2. Religious Models of Spiritual Development. 7.3. Early Genetic Theories of Religious Development. 7.4. Cognitive-Structuralist Theories of Development. 7.5. Integrative Approaches to Religious Development. 7.6. Conclusion.8. Religion and Development in Childhood and Adolescence. 8.1. Religion and Religious Socialization in Childhood. 8.2. Attachment and Religion in Children and Adults. 8.3. God Image and Representation. 8.4. Adolescent Description. 8.5. Identity, Development,Gender and Religion. 8.6. Conclusion.9. Religion, Spirituality and Development in Adulthood. 9.1. Issues in Adult Development Research. 9.2. Young Adult and Midlife Development. 9.3. Mechanisms of Stability and Change. 9.4. Religion and Spirituality in Older Adult. 9.5. Conclusion.IV. Application.10. Religion, Spirituality and Physical Health. 10.1. Scientific Approaches to Religion and Health. 10.2. Religion, Health, and Coping. 10.3. Religious Perspectives on Health. 10.4. Collaborative Approaches to Health. 10.5. Conclusion.11. Religion, Spirituality and Mental Health. 11.1. Psychological Models of Mental Health. 11.2. Spiritual and Religious Models of Mental Health. 11.3. Psychological and Spiritual Views of Specific Problems. 11.4. Religion and Spirituality in Mental Health Treatment. 11.5. Conclusion.12. Practices and Religious Communities. 12.1. Religious and Spiritual Practices in Community. 12.2. Religious Self-understandings of Community. 12.3. Psychological Perspectives on Religious Communities. 12.4. Religious Practices in Community. 12.5. Problems of Religious Communities. 12.6. Conclusion.13. Individual Religious and Spiritual Practices. 13.1. Religious and Spiritual Practices: Prayer and Meditation. 13.2. Early Christian and Orthodox Prayer and Ascetic Practice. 13.3. Prayer and the Western Contemplative Tradition. 13.4. Christian Protestant and Modern Views of Prayer. 13.5. Meditation: Eastern Perspectives. 13.6. Meditation: Psychological Perspectives. 13.7. Conclusion.14. Helping Relationships: Counseling and Spiritual Growth. 14.1. Religious Approaches to Guidance and Helping. 14.2. Spiritual and Religious Issues in Psychotherapy. 14.3. New Religious Approaches to Psychotherapy. 14.4. Conclusion.15. Looking Back. 15.1: Lessons from Dialogue. 15.2: Approaches to Dialogue. 15.3: Barriers to Dialogue. 15.4: Prospects and Directions for Dialogue.
