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Sacrament of Psychology: Psychology and Religion in the Postmodern American
Sacrament of Psychology Psychology and Religion in the Postmodern American Author:Richard H. Cox Learn why the Church has gone out of the religion business. Discover why America's churhes are failing. No doubt controversial, this is certainly a thought-provoking and challenging look at current practices of both Christian religion and modern psychology. As Peter wrote (I Peter 3:15) "Be always in readiness to make an answer to anyone who... more » asks you a reason for the hope that is with you, yet with gentleness and reverence." It is with this in mind that author, Richard Cox, takes a close look at what has happened to the modern church and the role psychological practices play in the life of the church. The thesis of the book, as John Allan Loftus, SJ, PhD (Regis College, University of Toronto) puts it, is a simple one: "The church has allowed itself to be overwhelmed with psychology. What others have called the 'superstition of materialism' ascribes all power and glory to science and its accomplishments. And the church has capitulated and lost its own identity by allowing (and often encouraging) the norms and diagnoses of contemporary psychology to replace the gospel." Richard Cox pulls no punches and spares few "sacred cows" (in either psychology or theology) and his arguments are passionate. But be forewarned: this book is not for the faint-hearted pop-psychologist or armchair theologian. This is a book that will surely challenge your opinions and exercise your passions. It is Cox's opinion that our current postmodern world tends glorify and give all power to the accomplishments of science. Little credit is given to faith or belief. While the most decorated and respected of scientists look toward elements of faith and belief in their own work, the Church, which ahs been the primary tabernacle of belief, has allowed itself to be overwhelmed with psychology. As Cox puts it, "When the church uses the language, philosophies, and assumptions of psychology, it has forsaken the religion business and has taken up the business of religion." Learn what it is we really want and need from our churches. Discover that there are answers and the problems our churches face can be fixed.« less