Relational Integration of Psychology and Christian Theology

Steven J. Sandage, PhD, is Albert and Jessie Danielsen Professor of Psychology of Religion and Theology at Boston University School of Theology, with a joint appointment in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. He also serves as research director and senior staff psychologist at the Danielsen Institute at Boston University.Jeannine K. Brown, PhD, is professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and San Diego, California.

"Sandage and Brown offer a tour de force of the history and state of integration while presenting a new and highly practical process model resisting both reductionism and colonialization of either discipline. Their relational approach, based in interdisciplinary differentiation, fills gaps in existing models (e.g., intercultural competence), explains why integration is so difficult, and offers practical assistance to make it possible. The authors model their approach with personal anecdotes and case studies, demonstrating that it isn’t disciplines that integrate, but persons. This book will be of direct benefit to practitioners, scholars, and students in both psychology and theology."—Brad D. Strawn, PhD, Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary"Insisting that integration is a thoroughly relational process, Sandage and Brown model a deliberate and demanding approach to integrating theology and psychology. They successfully avoid what they refer to as ‘cheap integration’ by introducing readers to a well-mapped theoretical framework that works at the level of perspective shifting. One enters to find a way of broaching two disciplines, but one exits with a sense that the entire theological enterprise—teaching and scholarship—has shifted during the course of reading. For theological educators, this book is a career guidebook for navigating productive collegial conversations and difficult classroom conversations."—Shelly Rambo, PhD, associate professor of theology at Boston University"Sandage and Brown accomplish the ambitious task evident in their title, demonstrating a humble, collaborative approach to integration that is richly nuanced, practical, and wise. Their attention to cultural, developmental, theoretical, and conceptual details is astounding, even as they provide practical illustrations of their relational approach in every chapter."—Mark R. McMinn, PhD, ABPP, professor of psychology at George Fox University and author of The Science of Virtue: Why Positive Psychology Matters to the Church"This is an absolutely critical book for those concerned about the integration of psychology and theology in that it utilizes a broad range of perspectives: intercultural, methodologically pluralist, indigenous, concrete, hermeneutical, biblical, developmental, ethical, collaborative, socio-cultural, and interdisciplinary. The relational model of integration that emerges is more embodied than abstract, more critical than status quo, more pluralist than a single strategy approach, and more relational than individualistic. A profound contribution."—Al Dueck, PhD, distinguished professor of cultural psychologies at the Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

• 1.Introduction 2. Ways of Relating Psychology and Theology 3. Mutual Recognition and Relational Integration 4. Relational Integration as Embodied 5. Relational Integration as Hermeneutical 6. Relational Integration as Developmental 7. Relational Integration as Intercultural 8. Relational Integration in Formation-Based Practice