Overview
Drawn from more than sixty years of classroom experience, this introductory guide provides students with a coherent framework for considering psychology from a Christian perspective. Paul Moes and Donald Tellinghuisen explore biblical themes of human nature in relation to all major areas of psychology, showing how a Christian understanding of humans can inform the study of psychology.
The first edition has proven to be a successful textbook, with over 11,000 copies sold. The second edition has been updated and revised throughout based on student and instructor feedback.
Brief, accessible chapters correspond to standard introductory psychology textbooks, making this an excellent supplemental text. The book includes end-of-chapter questions. An updated test bank for professors is available through Textbook eSources.
The first edition has proven to be a successful textbook, with over 11,000 copies sold. The second edition has been updated and revised throughout based on student and instructor feedback.
Brief, accessible chapters correspond to standard introductory psychology textbooks, making this an excellent supplemental text. The book includes end-of-chapter questions. An updated test bank for professors is available through Textbook eSources.
Table of Contents
Five Themes of a Biblical View of Human Nature
Introduction: Why Did I Do That?
1. Who Am I? Themes of Human Nature
2. People Predicting People: Research Methodology
3. Bodies Revealed: Brain and Behavior
4. Who Is in Control? Consciousness
5. Making Sense of Your Surroundings: Sensation, Perception, and Attention
6. Change from the Heart: Learning
7. Remember Me? Memory
8. Think about It: Decision Making and Reasoning
9. Moving toward a Goal: Developmental Psychology
10. Trust Your Feelings: Emotion
11. We're in This Together: Social Psychology, Part 1
12. Faithful Attitude and Action: Social Psychology Part 2
13. The Real You: Personality
14. In Search of Normality: Psychological Disorders
15. "Meaningful" Healing: Therapy
Appendix: Christian Approaches to Psychology: The Case of Evolutionary Psychology
References
Index
Introduction: Why Did I Do That?
1. Who Am I? Themes of Human Nature
2. People Predicting People: Research Methodology
3. Bodies Revealed: Brain and Behavior
4. Who Is in Control? Consciousness
5. Making Sense of Your Surroundings: Sensation, Perception, and Attention
6. Change from the Heart: Learning
7. Remember Me? Memory
8. Think about It: Decision Making and Reasoning
9. Moving toward a Goal: Developmental Psychology
10. Trust Your Feelings: Emotion
11. We're in This Together: Social Psychology, Part 1
12. Faithful Attitude and Action: Social Psychology Part 2
13. The Real You: Personality
14. In Search of Normality: Psychological Disorders
15. "Meaningful" Healing: Therapy
Appendix: Christian Approaches to Psychology: The Case of Evolutionary Psychology
References
Index
Endorsements
“The second edition of Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith is exceptional. Moes and Tellinghuisen invite the reader to reflect as Christians on an array of topics in the field of psychology. This is an excellent resource for introducing students to the relationship between their faith and the study of psychology.”
Mark Yarhouse, Dr. Arthur P. Rech & Mrs. Jean May Rech Professor of Psychology, Wheaton College
“Speaking as an undergraduate professor of twenty-five years, I can say that writing a book aimed at beginning college students is not for the fainthearted! It requires the ability to communicate complex concepts with clarity, and to do so in a way that engages students and, ideally, invites self-reflection. Moes and Tellinghuisen have checked all the boxes. My undergraduate students have been enthusiastic about the first edition, and the second edition shows promise of being even more inspiring.”
Elizabeth Lewis Hall, professor of psychology, Biola University
“Psychologists Paul Moes and Donald Tellinghuisen are uniquely equipped to engage and critique psychological science from a distinctly Christian perspective. Their five-theme approach offers a systematic strategy for Christians to think seriously and productively about the implications of their faith for understanding contemporary psychology, one of God’s great gifts for those curious about human nature. This is a cogent, thorough book that will prove insightful and illuminating for Christians seeking a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of themselves and others. Strongly recommended.”
Bryan J. Dik, Colorado State University; author of Redeeming Work: A Guide to Discovering God’s Calling for Your Career
“In this fresh edition, Moes and Tellinghuisen provide a faithful and fruitful framework for rigorous engagement with the psychological science of human behavior and mental processes. They emphasize five themes of human nature. These themes are used as a framework that aids readers in considering psychology research and theories spanning neuroscience and cognitive, developmental, social, personality, experimental, and clinical psychology. An excellent resource with lasting value!”
Charlotte V. O. Witvliet, Lavern and Betty DePree VanKley Professor of Psychology, Hope College
“Moes and Tellinghuisen do an excellent job of exploring the sometimes difficult issues raised by faith and psychological science. The text is accessible and interesting while being thoughtful and sophisticated. There are no easy answers here, just careful thinking about the issues with an even-handed presentation of multiple perspectives. They make a good argument here that Christians should be thoughtful and engaged people of faith and science, of Scripture and psychological research. This book is useful for both introductory courses in psychology as well as upper-level courses in the integration of science and faith.”
Laird R. O. Edman, Northwestern College, Iowa
“Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith fills a need for an introductory resource to help students think holistically about faith and learning in a way that values and respects Christian faith and the modern discipline of psychology and its diverse subfields. In this second edition, Moes and Tellinghuisen improve on an excellent text by making it more succinct, accessible, and effective. It is a superb companion text for any introductory psychology course.”
David N. Entwistle, emeritus professor of psychology, Malone University; distinguished professor of psychology, North Greenville University
Authors
Paul Moes
Paul Moes (PhD, Texas Christian University) is professor of psychology at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously taught at Dordt College for eighteen years. He writes about Christian approaches to understanding brain function, personal responsibility, and human nature.
Donald J. Tellinghuisen
Donald J. Tellinghuisen (PhD, University of Iowa) is professor of psychology at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously taught at Augustana College. He has published research on attention and distractibility as well as human decision making.