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Human Nature at the Millennium: Reflections on the Integration of Psychology and Christianity
Malcolm Jeeves, an internationally renowned neuropsychologist, deftly surveys past efforts to integrate psychology and Christianity. This stimulating study addresses the most pressing issues in modern psychology, including sexual orientation, psychotherapy, and consciousness.
254 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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November 14, 2014
In this very important book, distinguished research psychologist Malcolm Jeeves examines the frontier between Christian faith and the scientific enterprise of psychological experiment and research. It is a challenging read, but well worth the effort for anyone who would like to deepen his or her understanding of how the discoveries of neuroscience intersect with Christian faith and life.
Jeeves covers an impressive array of cutting edge aspects of his subject matter, including: a comparison of the biblical view of human nature, and what scientific study of the human brain reveals about human nature; the mind/brain connection; how injuries/illnesses of the brain contribute to mental illness; the challenges to ones spiritual life and experience, when afflicted with mental illness; the incalculably complex issue of consciousness... where it comes from, how it works, and what it says about who we are as Christian believers.
Of particular importance for Christians, it seems to me, is what Jeeves has to say about traditional Christian conceptions (which are, from a biblical point of view, largely MIS-conceptions) of the soul; and how those conceptions are challenged by the mind/brain connection. The idea that we are bodies which "contain" a disembodied "soul" is much more a belief of Greek philosophy than biblical theology. Biblically speaking, we don't "have" souls, we ARE souls: enfleshed spiritual creatures, whose ultimate eternal destiny is not a disembodied spiritual existence, but resurrection to a newly created bodily state. This is, among other things, one of the primary things that we learn from Jesus' own resurrection. Jeeves points out that current work in neuroscience in many confirms this way of thinking.
Also, Jeeves has much of importance to say about how our understanding of the brain and the mind can assist us in helping those who are afflicted with mental illness; people who often feel disconnected or alienated from their relationship with God because of their distressed mental/emotional state. This is a primary area of concern for all of us as Christian disciples.
Finally, Jeeves goes into considerable detail about the quest to understand human consciousness... an endeavor that just might be the most impenetrable mystery ever to confront the scientific enterprise.
Jeeves helps us to understand that the scientific quest to understand human nature, and the Christian quest to do the same, are not mutually exclusive or antagonistic, but rather complementary. Our learnings from the scientific arena can inform our religious understanding in many ways; likewise, our theological and biblical perspectives can bring some necessary restraint and humility to the ongoing scientific quest to understand the human mind and the human person.
In reviewing this book, the late Princeton Seminary theology professor Diogenes Allen described it as "a masterful study." I agree with that assessment wholeheartedly!
Jeeves covers an impressive array of cutting edge aspects of his subject matter, including: a comparison of the biblical view of human nature, and what scientific study of the human brain reveals about human nature; the mind/brain connection; how injuries/illnesses of the brain contribute to mental illness; the challenges to ones spiritual life and experience, when afflicted with mental illness; the incalculably complex issue of consciousness... where it comes from, how it works, and what it says about who we are as Christian believers.
Of particular importance for Christians, it seems to me, is what Jeeves has to say about traditional Christian conceptions (which are, from a biblical point of view, largely MIS-conceptions) of the soul; and how those conceptions are challenged by the mind/brain connection. The idea that we are bodies which "contain" a disembodied "soul" is much more a belief of Greek philosophy than biblical theology. Biblically speaking, we don't "have" souls, we ARE souls: enfleshed spiritual creatures, whose ultimate eternal destiny is not a disembodied spiritual existence, but resurrection to a newly created bodily state. This is, among other things, one of the primary things that we learn from Jesus' own resurrection. Jeeves points out that current work in neuroscience in many confirms this way of thinking.
Also, Jeeves has much of importance to say about how our understanding of the brain and the mind can assist us in helping those who are afflicted with mental illness; people who often feel disconnected or alienated from their relationship with God because of their distressed mental/emotional state. This is a primary area of concern for all of us as Christian disciples.
Finally, Jeeves goes into considerable detail about the quest to understand human consciousness... an endeavor that just might be the most impenetrable mystery ever to confront the scientific enterprise.
Jeeves helps us to understand that the scientific quest to understand human nature, and the Christian quest to do the same, are not mutually exclusive or antagonistic, but rather complementary. Our learnings from the scientific arena can inform our religious understanding in many ways; likewise, our theological and biblical perspectives can bring some necessary restraint and humility to the ongoing scientific quest to understand the human mind and the human person.
In reviewing this book, the late Princeton Seminary theology professor Diogenes Allen described it as "a masterful study." I agree with that assessment wholeheartedly!
Displaying 1 of 1 review