Reviving Christian Humanism
The New Conversation on Spirituality, Theology, and Psychology
- Theology
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2009
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Publisher's Description
Is there a future for intellectually honest faith at the service of humankind? Esteemed theologian Don S. Browning strongly argues that there is, and he here offers a manifesto for a new religious humanism. Browning argues that the time is right for religious intellectuals in conversation with the social sciences to reinvigorate the deep humanistic strands of the grand religions and enter into global interfaith dialogue on that basis. Concentrating on the Christian heritage, he draws on such diverse disciplines to envision a broader canvas for psychology, a keener theological use of new insights from psychology, a more complex understanding of how personal change is fostered, a recognition of the indispensable role of institutions in personal formation and ethical deliberation, and in the end, a deeper spirituality that directly feeds the common human endeavor and the public good.
Endorsements (6)
“Erudite and accessible, Browning’s scholarship once again cuts a clear path through a dense forest of ideas now growing at the interface of religion and morality. His nuanced distinctions between ethics and morality, religion and spirituality, and foundationalist and hermeneutic epistemological approaches are among the most helpful to be found in the literature. He offers original and constructive direction for continued research through his critical but congenial engagement with recent thinking in positive and moral psychology. I know of no higher praise than to say I look forward to sharing his insights with my students as soon as possible.”
“No one is more equipped than Don Browning to discuss the relationship between theology, psychology, and spirituality. Bringing a very seasoned, interdisciplinary background to this discussion, Browning demonstrates how a hermeneutical perspective can employ science as a very important ‘submoment’ within a larger interpretive framework and conversation. Browning brings together insights from a long and distinguished career as he points the way toward a religious humanism for the twenty-first century.”
“Don Browning once again draws on his encyclopedic knowledge of theology, psychology, cognitive and social neurosciences, and the law to illustrate the deep ways in which science and religion require each other. From the perspective of a decades-long career, he revisits his earlier observations of psychotherapy, marriage, and religious institutions and demonstrates the urgent need for a public philosophy for science and the mental health disciplines as well as for theology. The book is a must-read for clinicians, theologians, and all who are interested in the larger science and religion conversation.”
“Kevin J. Sharpe, Founding Editor”
“The Human Factor”
“On the Moral Nature of the Universe Nancey Murphy and George F. R. Ellis Theology for a Scientific Age”
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