Dr. Jim Nelson, Professor of Psychology

Dr. Jim Nelson, Valparaiso University associate professor of psychology, has written a new book which explores the dialogue between psychology and religion and aims to transform how the two are understood and taught.  The book, Psychology, Religion and Spirituality, details the changing relationship between psychology and religion over the past century.  While the relationship between psychology and religion at first was antagonistic, Dr. Nelson said that over the years, scholars in the fields have developed a greater appreciation for how their work is complementary.

"I believe that psychology and religion both have things to say to each other that are mutually beneficial," Dr. Nelson said. "Psychology offers religion the resources of science to improve the accuracy of its self-understanding and the methods it uses to pursue desired goals. Religion offers psychology a vast store of accumulated wisdom on the nature of the human person and how a good life might be achieved."

Psychologists began studying and writing about religion more than a century ago, but Dr. Nelson said that the field is a challenging one to grasp because it requires knowledge of both psychology and religion, demands conceptual tools to connect the science of psychology with religion, and because scholars examining the subject come from diverse backgrounds. He wrote Psychology, Religion and Spirituality to reach people studying psychology, the psychology of religion and counseling, as well as seminary students learning about spiritual and pastoral counseling.

Read the full press release here.

Learn more about Valparaiso University’s Department of Psychology.