The term “Christian psychology” was coined in the middle of the 19th century. St. Theophan the Recluse is widely recognized as the founding father of this school of thought. However the dialogue between the Church and psychology has emerged far earlier: first courses in psychology were taught in the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy since the 17th century. The Soviet authorities have stalled the development of this current of thought for a long time.
Cultural, historical, and methodological foundations of Christian psychology are explored in-depth for the first time in this multi-authored monograph. These foundations are understood as an important direction in psychological theory and practice. The authors discuss the relations of Christian psychology with other directions of psychology, define the borders between pastoral and psychological counselling, showcase the contribution of Christian psychology in solving current theoretical and practical cases.
The team of authors is headed by professors B.S. Bratus’, F.E. Vasilyuk, V.I. Slobodchikov. Together with their colleagues and students they represent the Moscow school of Christian psychology.
This monograph is addressed to psychologists, philosophers, scholars of cultural studies, and general readers who have profound interest in problems and perspectives of human psychology.
The book is being published on the centennial of the Russian revolution. It is dedicated to everyone and everything that have suffered under the godless Soviet regime including our science that was severely purged in these years, especially Christian psychology.