But as the 20th century rolled in, a new figure entered the room: the psychologist.
We are now living in the "Age of Psychology" more than ever. You can see it in how modern Christians talk about their faith. We speak of "trauma-informed" ministry and setting "boundaries." We use the Enneagram or Myers-Briggs to understand our "God-given temperament."
In the early 1900s, many conservative theologians viewed psychology as a "secular threat." They feared that explaining human behavior through biology or childhood trauma would make the concept of sin obsolete. American Protestantism in the age of psychology
But this merger hasn't been without its critics. Some worry that by focusing so much on the self , we’ve lost the focus on the divine . They argue that when the Gospel becomes a self-help manual, it loses its power to challenge us. The Bottom Line
By the 1950s, the "Peace of Mind" movement was in full swing. Figures like Norman Vincent Peale (author of The Power of Positive Thinking ) began blending biblical principles with psychological self-help. The goal shifted from escaping hell in the afterlife to finding happiness in this one. 2. The Rise of the "Therapeutic" Gospel But as the 20th century rolled in, a
From Sin to Self: American Protestantism in the Age of Psychology
Whether you see it as a watering down of tradition or a long-overdue evolution, one thing is clear: the bridge between the Sunday morning pew and the therapist's office is now a two-way street. A few tips for your blog: They argue that when the Gospel becomes a
For most of American history, if you were struggling with a heavy heart or a restless mind, you went to see your pastor. The diagnosis was usually spiritual, and the remedy was simple: prayer, scripture, and repentance.
