Intro Letter-December 2011

Last year was the first year I was able to work with this newsletter, Soul & Spirit. I learned a lot about editing, I learned a lot about Christian psychology, and I learned a lot about patience. We are already well into a new year and I am looking forward to this year as much as last. I expect some great contributions once again from a variety of authors, some old and some new.  This issue brings with it a variety of articles as always including an extended piece from Robert Yarbrough, PhD. As always, I welcome any thoughts you may have.

Jason Kanz, PhD

Marshfield Clinic

Intro Letter-September 2011

Happy 2012.  We initially put this newsletter together during the Fall, but a number of circumstances delayed its release and for that, I apologize. One of those things that slowed us down was the 25^th annual world conference of The American Association of Christian Counselors, our parent organization.  I was privileged to attend the event and witness a number of great speakers.  I also had conversations with some of you and I am encouraged about the body of the Society for Christian Psychology.  The newsletter this is late in coming, but I do hope you are edified by the number of worthwhile articles again on a broad range of topics including: 9/11, the need for empirically supported treatments, an examination of mindfulness versus Spiritual Mindedness,  conscience, laughing, crying, and ways of being a sexual minority.  As always, I welcome questions from readers. 

Grace and Peace,

Jason Kanz PhD

Marshfield Clinic

Intro letter-July 2011

Reviewing each of the submissions for Soul & Spirit has broadened my intellectual horizons.  For each issue, we are treated to a wide variety of articles submitted by the authors.  The pages of my dictionary are slightly more frayed as my vocabulary expands by reading the authors and having to look up chosen words.  The articles also allow me to conceptually stretch as I think about topics that I have not previously considered, particularly as I have been able to see the implications of those concepts in real life. 

In the present issue, there is again satisfying variety.  On the historical end, Michael Haykin introduces us to Marcius, one of the early church fathers with additional articles to come in the series.  Dennis Morgan discusses John Calvin’s book, Psychopannia and how it relates to the importance of personhood in the therapeutic encounter.   On the more practical end, Fernando Garzon discusses the popular therapeutic concept of mindfulness, suggesting a distinctly Christian alternative.  Phil Monroe writes about how Christian psychologists might respond to trauma, with particular attention to a multicultural context.  Plus, Rick Sholette describes how we might respond to difficult sessions with our clients.  Additionally, Keith Whitfield discusses the concept of goodness as a useful Christian concept to explore.  Finally, Jim Cofield and I each provide book reviews of sorts. 

As we are past summer’s midpoint (at least for those on an academic calendar), I pray that you are all faring well.  I hope that these short articles will challenge your thinking and help you to develop more deeply as a Christian psychologist.

Grace and peace,

Jason Kanz, PhD, ABPP

Marshfield Clinic

Introduction-May 2011

Happy summer!  June brings us to another issue of Soul & Spirit.  With each issue, as I read through the articles as they appear in my inbox, I am challenged and encouraged by the wisdom of our contributors.  Each writer seems to honestly wrestle with humanity and the implications of soul care as a Christian. 

In this issue, there are again a variety of topics, though the thread of suffering seems to run underneath most of them.  Shannon Wolf wrote about the normative experience of suffering in the Christian life, which is also the topic of Dana Wicker’s piece, where she describes a way to help others “cling to truth.”  Serena Woods encourages us to move beyond behavior modification to focusing upon our redeemer and becoming again like little children in the midst of suffering.  I share my reflections on loving those who are hard to love.  Andrew Michel looks at Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings as an essential text for Christian psychology, identifying the themes that run through the story of Middle Earth and how they mirror human experience.  Jeff White shares pastoral wisdom in the dual roles of the church as an army and as a hospital.  The nature of change is the focus of Rick Sholette’s article, where he asks the question who is responsible for our change.  Finally, Warren Kinghorn shared his thoughts on malingering as a pelagian concept. 

I hope that the breadth and depth of the articles is refreshing, challenging, and encouraging.  As always, I am open to feedback or thoughts. 

Blessings,

Jason Kanz, Ph.D.

Marshfield Clinic

Intro Letter: March 2011

Spring appears to be officially breaking through as I write from Northern Wisconsin.  The long, cold winter has taken its toll upon my patients and my co-workers.  The enthusiasm for the first snow fall gradually gave way to a dark blanket of melancholy, so the changing seasons have been received with gratitude. 

Like the changing seasons, our May edition of Soul & Spirit brings with it fresh ideas that I hope provide encouragement and food for thought.  Paul Vitz provides the conclusion to his 2-part series on the psychology of hatred, suggesting ways that hatred may appear in our daily lives.  Valerie Murphy and Scott Holman describe experiences from their lives and how Scripture has helped mold their understanding of themselves and others.  The topic of positive psychology appears in articles by Dennis Morgan and Lydia Kim-VanDaalen, one by touching upon relatively recent work on the subject and the other by looking back 300 years to the Dutch Further Reformation.  Phil Monroe and UnHye Kwon both touch upon expanding the borders of Christian psychology.  Dr Monroe provides suggestions for increasing the clinical utility of our field and Dr Kwon by describing the establishment of Christian psychology in her native South Korea.  Finally, Mark Yarhouse provides a compelling essay about the importance of wisdom and discernment as we examine diversity issues.

David Powlison speaks of the importance of “riveting scripture and doctrine to everyday life”.  This edition of Soul & Spirit will provide several essays that seek to do that very thing. 

Jason Kanz

Marshfield Clinic