Culture and Justice Lecture to focus on psychology and Christian faith
Riverside, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2024) – The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences will hold its next
event for the Culture and Justice Lecture Series on Feb. 1.
The lecture will feature Rev. Dr. Siang-Yang Tan, senior professor of clinical psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary and senior pastor emeritus at First Evangelical Church Glendale. He is the author or co-author of numerous articles and chapters and 17 books. He also serves as spiritual director of the American Association of Christian Counselors, is a licensed psychologist and Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
The title of his lecture is “Integration and Beyond: Principled, Professional and Personal.” We asked him about the topic.
What will your talk be about?
It will cover the integration of psychology and Christian faith in three major areas: principled (theoretical-conceptual and research), professional (clinical or practice) and personal (intrapersonal, including spirituality). Personal integration is the foundational category, without which integration in the principled and professional areas cannot be substantially achieved. The crucial ministry of the Holy Spirit in all integration is emphasized. Intentional and prayerful integration covering both implicit and explicit integration in clinical practice is described, focusing on a Christian approach to counseling and psychotherapy that is Christ-centered, biblically based and Spirit-filled. Radical discipleship or apprenticeship under the Lordship of Christ is underscored as the ultimate in kingdom living as American philosopher Dallas Willard has emphasized.
Some of the latest developments in integration will also be covered, along with more embodied and relational models that specify the uniqueness and particularity of the integration task.
Why is this topic so important to you?
This is an important topic not only in a Christian approach to psychology but also to counseling and psychotherapy, with a need to be Christ-centered, Biblically based and Spirt-filled. The secular field of counseling and psychotherapy today has a serious and important focus on the integration of religion and spirituality in clinical practice, with substantial empirical evidence now for the effectiveness of religious and spiritual therapies including Christian therapies. Christian therapies need further development and empirical support. I have devoted most of my professional and scholarly life to this task of integration of psychology and Christian faith especially in clinical practice or counseling and psychotherapy in a biblically consistent and Spirit-filled way that will glorify God and bless and deeply transform lives.
What do you hope the audience gets from the message?
I hope that the audience will have a better understanding of the integration of psychology and Christian faith in a Christ-centered, biblically based and Spirit-filled way. I also want audience members to understand the crucial role of the Holy Spirit as the counselor par excellence in effective Christian counseling and psychotherapy.
Culture and Justice Lecture Series
6 p.m. Feb. 1, Innovators Auditorium
The series invites professionals in the behavioral science and community development fields to share their experiences with students. Speakers also provide information on current trends, practices and research within their respective professions. Building upon a foundation of over 40 years of behavioral science education in the Inland Empire, CBSS is excited to expand its reach – building bridges among students, community partners and nationally recognized experts.