For most of American history, if you were struggling with a heavy heart or a restless mind, you went to see your pastor. The diagnosis was usually spiritual, and the remedy was simple: prayer, scripture, and repentance.
Sermons began to focus less on "wrath" and "judgment" and more on "self-esteem," "healing," and "wholeness." American Protestantism in the age of psychology
We are now living in the "Age of Psychology" more than ever. You can see it in how modern Christians talk about their faith. We speak of "trauma-informed" ministry and setting "boundaries." We use the Enneagram or Myers-Briggs to understand our "God-given temperament." For most of American history, if you were
As the decades passed, the influence of psychology moved from the fringe to the center of the sanctuary. This created what historians call the "therapeutic" turn in religion. You can see it in how modern Christians