The Religious Life [Hardcover]

William James called his classic work, The Varieties of Religious Experience, a study in human nature. This volume recognizes that a fundamental feature of human nature for James is that we have a conscious and a subconscious mind and that the subconscious mind is deeply implicated in the religious life, especially in conversion and other experiences of spiritual enlightenment. In this volume, Capps addresses religious melancholy, the divided self and discordant personality, religious conversion, the saintly character, and the prayerful consciousness. In addition, the cases of two clergymen--one deeply troubled, the other exemplary of the spiritual person--are also presented. A brief discussion of James's view of religion as the generator of hope concludes this introduction to his insights into the religious life. Given that James was a popular writer in his own day, this book is intended to make his insights accessible to general readers. I know of no more faithful introduction to William James' The Varieties of Religious Experience than Donald Capps' The Religious Life. Situating James at center stage, Capps infiltrates every page with a lifetime of scholarship in the psychology of religion and a palpable appreciation for James' life and work. Seekers will find renewed encouragement in their spiritual quests, imbibing in the generosity of spirit and hopeful imagination that James and Capps share. --Robert C. Dykstra, Charlotte W. Newcombe Professor of Pastoral Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary The Religious Life is a remarkable scholarly achievement, and a richly textured exploration of the profoundly personal and contextual dimensions of James' The Varieties of Religious Experience. Capps . . . provides readers with insights into the creation of James' stunning book, and a nuanced commentary on James' study of human nature and religion. --Lewis R. Rambo, Senior Research Professor of Psychology and Religion, San Francisco Theological Seminarl3B