Main description:

This book presents a new paradigm for distinguishing psychotic and mystical religious experiences. In order to explore how Presbyterian pastors differentiate such events, Susan L. DeHoff draws from Reformed theology, psychological theory, and robust qualitative research. Following a conversation among multidisciplinary voices, she presents a new paradigm considering the similarities, differences, and possible overlap of psychotic and mystical religious experiences.

Contents:

1. Mystical Religious Experience and Psychosis: Contours of the Problem

2. Reformed Theology: Historical Perspectives on Mystical Experience
3. Psychoanalytic Views of Mystical Religious Experience
4. Post-Freudian Psychological Theories
5. Research: Presbyterian Church (USA) Views on MRE
6. Theology and Psychology: An Interdisciplinary Discussion
7. Proposing A New Paradigm
8. Conclusion