Lately, the psychology section on my bookshelf has increased by a few titles, and while I have zero background in the field (except seeing a therapist, hallelujah!), it is increasingly more fascinating to me. This conversation with Todd Hall, professor of psychology, was a great addition to my novice study (though it would also be great for the well-read!). We talked about the disconnect in Christian history of theology and spirituality, which is foundational in his book Relational Spirituality (which is fabulously interesting!). And what the resurgence of spiritual formation, integrated with psychology, is adding to our holistic experience as people of faith. I’m excited for you to listen!
Notable quotes:
“Many believers who have this, you know, sort of explicit knowledge of God and theology, but it’s just not translating into the way they live their lives and their relationships.” – Todd Hall
“But if you only understand and have knowledge at the explicit level of God and even just, you know, life in general, but God and theology, that’s really not the essence of Christianity. Right. It’s a relationship with God through Jesus. And so there has to be a relational kind of knowledge. Right? And, and we see that, you know, throughout Scripture, which I touch on as well, that these two ways of knowing, so, so explicit knowledge of why I emphasize implicit relational knowledge also is because in this context that we’re talking about, you know, sort of Western Protestant, Evangelicalism, explicit knowledge has been emphasized, as we just mentioned, with this split, right. And so we sort of lost the implicit relational knowledge piece.” – Todd Hall
Mentioned in this episode:
Relational Spirituality: A Psychological-Theological Paradigm for Transformation by Todd W. Hall with M. Elizabeth Lewis Hall
The Connected Life: The Art and Science of Relational Spirituality by Todd W. Hall
Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An Evangelical Theology of Renewal Expanded Edition by Richard F. Lovelace
The Interpersonal World of the Infant: A View from Psychoanalysis and Developmental Psychology by Daniel N. Stern
Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek H Murthy
DOWNLOAD BOOK FLYER
Toughest People to Love: How to Understand, Lead, and Love the Difficult People in Your Life — Including Yourself by Chuck DeGroat
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Ep. 260 with Norman Wirzba
Ep. 258 with Khristi Lauren Adams
Ep. 208 with Adam Bucko