Care of Souls

A practicing psychologist explores the church's role in soul care, advocating a counseling method that anchors modern therapy in timeless biblical principles.

For most of its history, one of the primary functions of the church was to provide spiritual guidance and advice for daily living. With the rise of professional psychology, however, Christian counseling began to adapt to the ways of this "science of the soul," which has all too frequently ignored the spiritual element of human life. In Care of Souls, David Benner offers a timely reminder of the benefits of recapturing the place of the spiritual in psychological work. Among the many benefits for individuals who receive a combination of the best of modern therapy and biblical guidance are an increased feeling of personal value and a willingness to put God's priorities above their own. Benner's account of Christianity's historical practices of soul care and his comprehensive guide to providing authentic soul care today will be essential reading for Christian mental health professionals, pastors, and college and seminary students.