American Protestantism in the Age of Psychology
Cambridge University Press, 7/18/2011
EAN 9781107010673, ISBN10: 1107010675
Hardcover, 256 pages, 22.8 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm
Language: English
Many have worried that the ubiquitous practice of psychology and psychotherapy in America has corrupted religious faith, eroded civic virtue and weakened community life. But an examination of the history of three major psycho-spiritual movements since World War II – Alcoholics Anonymous, The Salvation Army's outreach to homeless men, and the 'clinical pastoral education' movement – reveals the opposite. These groups developed a practical religious psychology that nurtured faith, fellowship and personal responsibility. They achieved this by including religious traditions and spiritual activities in their definition of therapy and by putting clergy and lay believers to work as therapists. Under such care, spiritual and emotional growth reinforced each other. Thanks to these innovations, the three movements succeeded in reaching millions of socially alienated and religiously disenchanted Americans. They demonstrated that religion and psychology, although antithetical in some eyes, could be blended effectively to foster community, individual responsibility and happier lives.
Introduction
1. The fall and rise of psycho-religious cooperation
Part I. Therapy as Ministry in Clinical Pastoral Education
2. The priest must drink at the scientific well
3. Being the love of God
Part II. Therapy as Fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous
4. Democracy is a therapy
5. Came to believe
Part III. Therapy as Evangelism in The Salvation Army
6. Freud is not a suitable psychologist
7. New creatures in Christ
Conclusion
8. American psychology in an age of faiths.