Interdisciplinary Book Reviews

Reproduction: Who Controls Women’s Bodies? Christian Theologies and Psychology By Geoffrey W. Sutton [No reviews yet] Book Summary This book deals with the subject of who is in control of women’s bodies. The focus is on three main issues related to the primary question of who is in control of reproduction. Who is in control of contraception?  Who is in control of pregnancy care?  What can women do about infertility? It is part of a series examining the difficulties integrating Christian theologies and the scientific study of human behavior typically associated with psychological science and evidence-based psychotherapies. Table of Contents Preface 1.  Introduction 2. Who is in control of contraception?  3. Who is in control of pregnancy care?  4. What can women do about infertility? 5. Reflections on Conflicting Worldviews References

  Schindler's List Schindler's List is a 1993 film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the book by Thomas Keneally. It tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German business-man who saved over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factory. The film begins with Schindler arriving in Kraków in 1939, hoping to make his for-tune as a war profiteer. He establishes a factory for enamelware, using Jewish labor obtained through connections with the Nazi SS. Initially motivated by profit, Schindler's perspective changes as he witnesses the horrific treatment of Jews by the Nazis, particularly during the liquidation of the Kraków Ghetto and the brutality of the Plaszów concentration camp's commandant, Amon Göth. As Schindler's compassion grows, he uses his wealth and influence to protect his Jewish workers, often at great personal risk. He bribes Nazi officials, ensuring that his workers are deemed essential to the war effort and thus spared from ex...

Man's Search for Meaning By Viktor Frankl 1946/2006 Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning is a seminal work that blends memoir and psychological theory. The book is divided into two main parts: Frankl’s personal experiences in Nazi concentration camps and an introduction to his psychotherapeutic approach, logotherapy. Part I: Experiences in a Concentration Camp Frankl recounts his imprisonment in several Nazi camps, including Auschwitz, where he endured starvation, forced labor, and the constant threat of death. Rather than presenting a linear narrative, Frankl uses his experiences to illustrate psychological responses to extreme suffering. He identifies three mental phases among prisoners: initial shock, apathy during prolonged captivity, and disillusionment after liberation (Frankl, 2006). Despite the horrors, Frankl observed that those who maintained a sense of purpose—such as love for a family member or a future goal—were more resilient. He famously wrote, “Those who have a ...

  Elizabeth R, An Unlikely Head of State A video production Elizabeth R is a historical dramatization of the life of Elizabeth I from her years as a youthful princess who cares about her frail brother on the throne of England through her battles with powerful and cunning men within the nation and those in neighboring France and Spain as well as the threat of the shrewd Queen Mary and her Catholic entourage, to her final years that would lead to the grand union of England and Scotland. This BBC docudrama was released as a TV miniseries in the UK 10 March 1971—a year before it reached the US. Glenda Jackson appeared to grow into the character of Queen Elizabeth I as the series progressed through the historic events that served as a prelude to the emerging European empires, which in a few decades would carry their fractious religious and political differences to the Americas. What’s so different from other films is the careful attention to the historic characters and their conflicts. ...

Do Christians Need a Christian Guide to Study Psychology?  Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith by Moes & Tellinghuisen   by Paul Moes and Donald J. Tellinghuisen Reviewer:   Geoffrey W. Sutton PhD Cite this review Sutton, G. W. (2024). Do Christians Need a Christian Guide to Study Psychology?  Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith by Moes & Tellinghuisen. Interdisciplinary Book and Film Reviews. https://suttonreviews.suttong.com/2024/11/exploring-psychology-and-christian.html Book Summary Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith  by Paul Moes and Donald J. Tellinghuisen is an introductory treatise that endeavors to reconcile the domains of psychology and Christian theology. The book is methodically arranged around five pivotal themes of human nature from a biblical perspective: Relational persons Brokenness and the need for redemption Embodiment Responsible limited agency Meaning-seeking The authors delve into myriad psychological construc...

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 le...

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 ...

  VERA  by Ann Cleeves Vera Stanhope, dressed in frumpy uninspiring clothes, excels at solving crime in Northumberland, UK. The highly rated stories by successful mystery writer Ann Cleeves, have led to 14 seasons of a TV series known simply as VERA. The series, streamed on Britbox, ended in the US in January 2025. 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 s...