Healing and Christianity

Excellent overview by a scholar from the Episcopal as well as Christian perspective. Not at all dated.

Although raised in a religious environment, as a psychotherapist, I was trained in a secular one. Consequently, my understanding of healing was rather limited. After a friend lent me his copy of this book, I tossed it aside, eventually getting around to reading it. I now regret that I didn't do so earlier. I found it to be one of the most illuminative books written on healing. Kelsey presents a comprehensive view of the subject, from Hellenistic practices to contemporary ones. Although largely based upon Christian concepts (unfortunately overlooked by contempory mental health), Kelsey also weaves in material from other philosophic and academic traditions. While there are many quasi-spiritual books on the market today, most present half-baked notions of healing and do not even come close to what Kelsey has written. If you seek "feel-good" psychology, this book is not for you. However, if you want something with Spirit, scholasticism, and depth, you'll find it within these pages. Whether you are in the business of healing or not, this is one for the bookshelf.