Re:Adler and Christianity

Barry,

Dr. Stein's ref.s are an excellent place to start from within Adlerian thought. I might add also Hoffman's The Drive for Self as a historical perspective on the Adler family "conversion".

May I offer a couple of different approaches?

One, for an understanding of basic integrative structures, you might check out Carter and Narramore's little book out of Rosemead: The Integration of Psychology and Theology. ( or visa versa, sorry I don't have the biblio in front of me)

Secondly, just as Individual Psychology is a matter of use in contrast to possession, I would sugest that you attempt integration not as a model to be held, but a modality to be used and experienced. For example, try this exercise: Take a look at Paul's process in Ephesians ch. 3-5. As an encourager he offers the understanding of this wonderful relational provision "grace" is to lead to the cooperation with God and one another. Now for the exercise, take each of the major Adlerian concepts and run with them through the passage. Encouragement, Cooperation, Antithetical thinking, Useful behavior, Mistaken notions, Inferiority feelings, appropriate striving, Common sense, Social Interest. If you actually do the work you will have discovered the "feeling" of integration. If you don't do the work, typically you'll be left with a useless syncretism of two different fields of knowledge that the owner often discards in disgust or possesses in pride.

Have a good struggle!

Have fun!

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