★★★★★ 5
Towards a Christian Psychology or Cure of Souls
Format: Paperback
Mental health professionals will benefit from this comprehensive manual that has been extensively researched, as it provides a way forward in the direct application of the Christian tradition in a therapeutic context. This book restores the authority within psychology back to the spiritual dimension rather than the empiricism and rationalism that is the legacy of the Enlightenment project and consequently of mainstream psychology. An important matter not addressed in this study are the arguably deleterious impacts of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) on the hearts and minds of the faithful, not to mention the crisis in religious vocations to which it has led. Therefore, references to the doctrinal teachings of Vatican II (and the contemporary church) should be considered with discernment so that a clear distinction can be maintained between traditional Catholicism and some of its modern aberrations (Coomaraswamy, 2006). Notwithstanding, the book has many strengths that will benefit therapists who are interested in Christian psychology, or the “science of the soul” found within all of the world’s religions. It is by adhering to one of the divinely revealed spiritual traditions that we can gain access to a liberating discernment—“Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32)—which is essential for any integral therapy and healing.
-Spiritual Psychology and Counseling, Vol. 7, No. 2 (2022)
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Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2022
