Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Psychology vs. Theology: Friends or Foes?

  • ARENA OF TRANSDISCIPLINARITY
  • Published:
Human Arenas Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The relationship between psychology and religion is not a matter of recent interest, but also, part of our tradition. Theology and modern psychology try together to tackle the same subject, the human psychosomatic world. How much do these two disciplines differ or they resemble to each other? In this presentation, we would like to examine the similarities and differences between psychology and religion/theology in terms of their purpose and aims, in the means and methods they use, in coping with difficulties and pain, in assisting those in need, and in their relationship with mental health. Besides, we examine the relationship between religion and mental health. Is this relationship always positive? If not, under which circumstances is it positive and under which is it negative?

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agorastos, D. (2018). Faith as anxiolytic (Greek website:) http://psychologein.dagorastos.net/files/2018/05/psylog-small.jpg2018/05/psylog-small.jpg2018/05/psylog-small.jpg2018/05/psylog-small.jpg

  • Avgoustides, A. (Αυγουστίδης, π. Α.) (2012). Theology and psychology: Convergences and deviations. (Θεολογία και Ψυχολογία: Συγκλίσεις και Αποκλίσεις). Στο (επιμ. Δ .Κυριαζή και π. Β. Θερμού) In Healing: Orthodox Theology and Psychotherapy - Convergences and Divergences. (Θεραπεύοντας: Ορθόδοξη Θεολογία και Ψυχοθεραπεία – Συγκλίσεις και Αποκλίσεις). Αρμός.

  • Bonelli, R., Dew, R.E., Koenig, H.G., Rosmarin D.H., & Vasegh S. (2012). Religious and spiritual factors in depression: review and integration of the research. Depress Research and  Treatment. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/9628602012/962860

  • Carter, J.D. & Narramore, B. (1979). The integration of psychology and theology: An introduction. Zondervan.

  • Fairbairn, W.R.D. (1941). A revised psychopathology of the psychoses and psychoneuroses. Psychoanalytic studies of the personality. Roudedge & Kegan Paul, 1952, 28-58.

  • Freud, S. (1911). Formulations on the two principles of mental functioning. The Hogard Press and the Institute of Psychoanalysis.

  • Kafkios N. (Καυκιός, Ν.) Science and theology. Approaching Models between Science and Theology. (Επιστήμη και Θεολογία. Μοντέλα προσέγγισης των σχέσεων επιστήμης και χριστιανικής θεολογίας). http://psyche.gr/modepistheol.htm

  • Karatsoulis, E. (Καρατσούλης, π. Ε.) (2018). Confession and Personalized Psychotherapy in Rogers’ work (Εξομολόγηση και Προσωποκεντρική Ψυχοθεραπεία: Μία θεολογική προσέγγιση στο έργο του Carl Rogers), Pemptousia, (Πεμπτουσία), 21 Αυγούστου 2018.

  • Katsaouni, M. (2009). The effects of Religion on the Psychology of the Individual. (Greek). https://www.psychology.gr/blog/content/

  • Koenig, H. G. (2009). Research on religion, spirituality, and mental health: a review. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 54(5), 283–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavdas, M. (Λάβδας, Μ.) (2009). Dealing with mental illness in the mystery of Repentance. (H Εκκλησία ως Κοινωνικός Εταίρος στο Δίκτυο Παροχής Υπηρεσιών Ψυχικής Υγείας στην Κοινότητα). Diplomatic Work. (Διπλωματική Εργασία, Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο).

  • Ieronymos, A. (1994) in Lavdas, M. (2009). Church as a social partner. (H Εκκλησία ως Κοινωνικός Εταίρος στο Δίκτυο Παροχής Υπηρεσιών Ψυχικής Υγείας στην Κοινότητα.) Diplomatic Assignment. University of Athens.

  • Moreland, J.P. (1995). Humanness, personhood, and the right to die. Faith and philosophy. Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers. https://doi.org/10.5840/faithphil199512126 Available at: https://place.asburyseminary.edu/faithandphilosophy/vol12/iss1/6

  • Papadopolos, R. (2014). Psychology and Orthodoxy. A framework towards complementarity. The Orthodox Centre, Centre for Trauma, Asylum and Refugees, University of Essex and The Tavistock Clinic.

  • Theology and Psychiatry in Dialogue, (1999)(Θεολογία και Ψυχιατρική σε διάλογο). Conference Proceedings. (Πρακτικά ημερίδας). Αποστολική Διακονία της Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος.

  • Thermos, V. (Θερμός π. Β.) (2006). Man on the horizon! Approaching the meeting of Orthodox Theology and sciences of the psyche. (Άνθρωπος στον ορίζοντα! Προσεγγίζοντας την συνάντηση Ορθόδοξης Θεολογίας και επιστημών του ψυχισμού). Γρηγόρης.

  • Thermos, V. (Θερμός π. Β.) (n.d.). Dealing with mental illness in the mystery of Repentance. (Η αντιμετώπιση της ψυχικής ασθένειας στο μυστήριο της Μετάνοιας). Ομιλία προς Ιερείς. http://www.ecclesia.gr/greek/holysynod/commitees/liturgical/thermos_metanoia.pdf

  • Žvelc, G. (2010). Object and subject relations in adulthood – Towards an integrative model of interpersonal relationships. Psychiatria Danubina, 22(4), 498–508.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Papaleontiou-Louca.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Papaleontiou-Louca, E., Kitromilides, I. Psychology vs. Theology: Friends or Foes?. Hu Arenas 6, 123–130 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-021-00203-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-021-00203-4

Keywords

Navigation