Psychology of Religion Autobiographical Accounts [Hardcover]

In the past four decades or so, the so-called psychology of religion  after having been deemedextinct, impossible or unlikely  has risen to prominence again: the number of publications israpidly growing, an impressive secondary literature (handbooks, introductions, etc.) is availablealready, infrastructure has been developed (a number of new journals devoted to the subjecthave been founded, organizations have been established, increasingly funding is going to thearea), attracting many new researchers. Organizations like the American PsychologicalAssociation are now publishing in the field of psychology of religion (and its Div. 36 [psych ofrel] with almost 3,000 members is already midsized among the APA-divisions). This bookdocuments this re-emergence and development.

In this book, a number of these pioneers in the field of psychology of religion account for their development in this area, depicting the diverse contexts of their work, the difficulties they had to deal with, and the increasing contemporary possibilities.

The comeback of the psychology of religion: The aims of the present volume.- My concern with psychology of religion: Defending psychology, respecting religion.- The path of least resistance.- Pastoral psychology as a point of transfer from systematic theology to the psychology of religion.- Toward a mainstream psychology of religion beyond poor relation status.- Writing heavenly language: My research on Pentecostalism and Glossolalia.- Psychology of religion: A personal narrative.- Changing ways of doing things: An autobiographical account of some of my experiences in the psychology of religion.- Evolution of a career: Psychologist of religion incognito.- The story of a late rider.- An accidental psychologist of religion.- Anthropology as a voyage of discovery: Or, everything that finds expression in man merits consideration.- Why the psychology of religion? A rocky path to self understanding.- From the History of Rell£‚