Augustine To Freud: What Theologians & Psychologists Tell Us About Human Nature (And Why It Matters)

Augustine To Freud: What Theologians & Psychologists Tell Us About Human Nature (And Why It Matters) Review

For Christians seeking to reconcile secular Psychology with a Biblical Christian Worldview, the search is over. Kenneth Boa tackles an issue that has been met with hot debate within Christian circles, and he does it as fairly as any Christian author could. As difficult as it is to remove one's Christian bias, Boa delivers the information free of ad hominem attacks and emotional appeals from start to finish. Some have said that Christians "throw the baby out with the bath water" when the topic of secular Psychology comes up. Rest assured; Boa stands far and away from such sweeping reductionism.

Kenneth Boa starts by giving wonderfully written and informative sections on six of the most influential theologians in Christian history: Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Jonathan Edwards, S?ren Kierkegaard, Paul Tillich, and Karl Rahner. These six opening sections will be a refreshing eye opener for the person who thinks theology is boring and hard to understand. For the up-and-coming theologian, it will be simple, informative, and refreshing. After outlining the basics of what each theologian thinks, Boa critiques them on their beliefs and foundations. However, he does not dismantle or critically evaluate these six men from head to toe. Boa shows where their strongest points are, and honestly addresses the weak points have been evaluated and fixed over time. The third chapter focuses on comparing and contrasting the six theologians. Boa points to their agreement over much of human need while showing their divergence on some issues of human behavior. At this point in the book, it will seem as if certain topics and ideas have been repeated and restated often. One needs to remember that it is because the six theologians wrote in very similar ways about the nature of humanity in relation to a Holy and Perfect God.

The second part of the book addresses the four versions of Psychology that the founding fathers of Psychology helped to develop. Starting with the Psychosocial Version, he writes in the same informative and simplistic nature about Sigmund Freud and Erik H. Erikson. Transitioning into the Intrapsychic Version with C.G. Jung and Otto Rank as the representative Psychologists. Boa then moves to the Actualization Version with Abraham H. Maslow and Carl R. Rogers. Finally, he closes the snapshot sections with the Perfection Version with Alfred Adler and Erich Fromm holding the founding flags. Similar to when Boa critiqued the six theologians, he then critiques each of the eight Psychologists. Some readers will be pleasantly surprised that Kenneth Boa finds some positive things to say about Freud while steering clear of the typical ad hominem attacks that so many people fall prey to. The critique section will be an eye opener for any biased anti-Psychology Christians that may read the book. To those seeking for a balanced and fair view of Psychology, you'll be warmly informed. Finally, closing the Psychology section of the book, Boa compares and contrasts the four Psychological models and their token Psychologists.

If Kenneth Boa stopped there, the book would be good. However, he went on to write the final chapter entitled: "A Comparison and Contrast of the Theological Models and the Psychological Models" and an Appendix entitled: "Human Needs in the New Testament." The reader will leave feeling sobered, informed, and strengthened by this wonderfully needed study by Kenneth Boa. The final chapter and appendix are too brilliant and helpful to praise in this review. I challenge your curiosity by saying no more about them than this: It is the best part of the book, and every Christian in our western culture should read (at the very least) the last chapter and appendix. In this book, Ken Boa takes the reader on an innovative exercise as he examines what six prominent theologians and eight psychologists of renown believe and teach about human needs. Where do they agree about human nature? Where do they disagree? Are their differences based on scientific knowledge?

Psychobabble has become a part of culture’s everyday vocabulary. Terms are bandied about and statements are taken as truth without knowing where they come from or what they imply. Augustine to Freud will help readers see how psychological perspectives are in harmony with Christian theological perspectives, and where they sometimes do conflict.