God, Psychology and Faith In Dialogue

Author: Steven-John Harris

"This book is an exploration into how psychology, especially psychotherapy, in dialogue with the spiritual practices of the Church, might contribute to the Christian's walk with Christ. First, the author questions, “Might psychology serve the Christian by helping him/her become less defensive, and therefore, more open to the perfect love and grace of God?” More specifically, he explores the question whether psychological insights and an increased awareness of the human mind help each of us to more effectively and authentically avail ourselves of such practices as Confession and Repentance? Holding to this question, this book offers examples of the human condition and illustrates how our defenses obstruct the human person from participating in a deeper relationship with God and others. In Revelation 3:20, Christ stands at the door and knocks. The image of the icon on the inside of the book cover depicts what we might call the arrival of Christ at the doors of our hearts. For the purposes of this work, the door is discussed not only as our heart but also our human psychological defense mechanisms that protect the heart’s vulnerability. This knock is urgent. It is we who must respond. Christ will not force His way in. We are continually faced with whether we will open the door in our temporal minds to the eternal flow of God’s grace and love. We always need conversion. Do we hear the knock? Will we answer?"

Available as E-book on Kindle

Language: English
Number of pages: 332, softbound
ISBN: 9781936773503
Published: 2018

Steven-John Harris received his M. A. and Ph.D. in psychology from the United States International University, in San Diego, CA. He holds certificates in both Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Jungian Psychotherapy and was presented with the Distinguished Professor Award at both the California Graduate Institute and the American Behavioral Studies Institute, the latter at which he served as the Academic Dean. He was Co-Director of the Psychoanalytic Study Center of Southern California and is the former Clinical Director for the Center for Individual and Family Therapy in Orange, CA. Dr. Harris writes about how the discipline of psychology can support the aims of the Orthodox Christian Faith through numerous articles and with two books: God, Psychology and Faith in Dialogue (2018) and To Be or Not to Be: Explorations in Madness and Faith (2020). He is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Newport Beach, CA. Contact: stevepsych22@gmail.com