Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith: An Introductory Guide

Paul Moes (PhD, Texas Christian University) is professor of psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously taught at Dordt College for eighteen years. He has written about Christian approaches to understanding brain function, personal responsibility, and human nature. Donald J. Tellinghuisen (PhD, University of Iowa) is professor of psychology, also at Calvin College. He previously taught at Augustana College. He has published research on attention and distractibility as well as human decision making. Moes and Tellinghuisen have taught psychology for more than fifty years combined.

Two accomplished teacher-scholars--neuropsychologist Paul Moes and experimental psychologist Donald Tellinghuisen--take us on a fascinating tour of intersecting big ideas from psychological science and biblical faith. By drawing on both perspectives they deepen our understanding of the 'fearfully and wonderfully made' human creature.
-David G. Myers

Aimed primarily at Christian students taking college courses in psychology, this book is written in such a way that general readers will also benefit from its insights into Christian discipleship. It is well informed, up to date, and wide ranging, and the authors make a sustained effort not to sweep difficult issues under the carpet or to attain premature closure on topics still under debate. The excellent use of cameos enables the reader to grasp the relevance of developments in psychology in real life situations and to better understand how these developments relate to Christian perspectives on the same situations.
-Malcolm Jeeves,
St. Andrews University

This solid overview of psychology from a Christian perspective uses five themes to explore a biblical view of human nature: relational persons; broken, in need of redemption; embodied; responsible limited agents; and meaning seekers. It will be a helpful supplementary text to use in introductory courses.
-Siang-Yang Tan,
Fuller Theological Seminary

At long last, a fresh new voice on psychology from a Christian perspective. Moes and Tellinghuisen clearly write from a wealth of experience guiding undergraduates in their initial encounter with psychological studies. They connect concepts with lived experience and questions of identity and purpose in a manner that is relational and accessible. I am eager to use this book with my own students. While I do not necessarily share all of the authors' conclusions and claims, the book is an invitation to a conversation and as such models the sort of thoughtful, challenging, respectful dialogue with which we hope students will become skilled.
-Heather Looy,
The King's University College

Paul Moes and Donald J. Tellinghuisen have created a really good read for those interested in exploring the ways that Christian faith and psychology go together. Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith works as both a supplementary text in the classroom and a good general read for anyone interested in a Christian view of human nature through the lens of psychology. This is an integrated, organic approach that helps readers understand their Christianity and their psychology better. Well done!
-Everett L. Worthington Jr.