Interdisciplinary Book and Film Reviews

Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith  An Introductory Guide   by Paul Moes and Donald J. Tellinghuisen A review by   Geoffrey W. Sutton PhD Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith by Paul Moes and Donald J. Telling-huisen is an introductory guide that bridges the gap between psychology and Christian theology. The book is structured around five key themes of human nature from a biblical perspective: • relational persons, • brokenness and the need for redemption, • embodiment, • responsible limited agency, and • meaning-seeking The authors explore various psychological concepts students encounter in Introduction to Psychology Courses such as research methodology, brain and behavior, consciousness, sensation and perception, learning, memory, decision-making, developmental psychology, emotion, social psychology, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. Each chapter includes discussion questions and reflection prompts to help readers integrate their faith with psychologica

Battered into submission:  The tragedy of wife abuse in the Christian home   by James and Phyllis Alsdurf Battered into Submission   begins with a nightmare. Lucille Tisland, a pastor's wife, shot and killed her husband. She reported his abuse including a threat to kill her and their children. Battered into Submission addresses the often overlooked issue of wife abuse within Christian homes. The authors, James and Phyllis Alsdurf, draw on extensive research and interviews with victims, abusers, and pastors to explore the psychological, spiritual, and personal impact of wife abuse. They highlight that abuse can occur even in homes where the husband is a Christian and the family upholds traditional values. The book calls on the church to acknowledge and address this issue, providing hope and healing to those affected. The authors tackle Christian teaching often directed at women to be in submission. They also reveal the large numbers of clergy who do not support a wife leaving an a

A Gift for All Ages A Family Handbook on Sexuality  by Clifford and Joyce Penner Reviewed by Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD   A Gift for All Ages by Clifford and Joyce Penner is a comprehensive family handbook on sexuality that provides a developmental approach to understanding human sexuality from birth through old age. The authors, both experts in their fields, aim to help the Christian community embrace sexuality as a natural and positive aspect of life. They discuss various stages of sexual development and offer practical advice for families to talk openly and positively about sexuality. The book is designed to be a helpful resource for parents, educators, and anyone interested in promoting healthy sexual attitudes and behaviors. The Penners present a specific Christian approach that is generally consistent with an evangelical worldview. For example, their views on contraception are different from Catholic teaching and their views on motherhood and same sex relationships (their term is h

  VERA  by Ann Cleeves Vera Stanhope, dressed in frumpy uninspiring clothes, excels at solving crime in Northumberland. The highly rated stories by successful mystery writer Ann Cleeves, have led to 14 seasons of a TV series known simply as VERA. An 8-Book set   is a great way to enjoy a retreat from daily life. Ann Cleeves has a knack of dropping clues that lead Vera and readers turning this way and that until Vera leaps at the solution. Along the mysterious trails, this sometimes-grumpy sleuth reveals her soft side in caring for troubled souls whilst at other times she trades barbs and threats with the haughty. And, as an added attraction, Cleeves stocks Vera mind with brilliant lines that make us chuckle—if you enjoy British humour. And, if you aren’t British, you’ll pick up some slang and idioms from the North of England, which adds to your tour of life in a different subculture than most tourists sample. The Main Characters Vera Stanhope is a DCI (Detective Chief Inspector) played