Men, religion, and melancholia

By Donald Capps

Book Description

In this thought-provoking exploration, Donald Capps unveils a surprising connection between profound sadness and spiritual awakening in the lives of four towering figures who shaped our understanding of religious experience. Through careful examination of William James, Rudolf Otto, Carl Jung, and Erik Erikson, Capps reveals how each of these influential thinkers grappled with deep melancholy rooted in early childhood experiences of maternal loss.

Rather than viewing their struggles as obstacles, Capps demonstrates how these painful experiences became the very foundation of their groundbreaking contributions to religious psychology. Each man's encounter with profound sadness led him toward spiritual seeking, ultimately transforming personal wounds into insights that would illuminate the religious journey for countless others.

This compelling study challenges conventional assumptions about what drives men toward religious life, suggesting that melancholia often serves as an unexpected gateway to spiritual depth. By examining the personal writings and psychological development of these four pioneers, Capps offers readers a fresh perspective on how suffering can become a catalyst for religious understanding.

For those interested in the intersection of psychology and spirituality, this work provides valuable insights into how personal struggles can shape both individual faith journeys and broader contributions to religious thought. Capps presents a nuanced view of how emotional pain, rather than diminishing spiritual capacity, may actually deepen our ability to comprehend the sacred dimensions of human experience.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)

🕉️ Tradition: Comparative Religion

📄 Length: 235 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Understand psychological principles
✓ Explore Mothers and sons
✓ Explore Religious life.
✓ Explore Moeder-zoon-relaties
✓ Explore Psychologists of religion--psychology
✓ Explore Men--religious life
✓ Explore Boys, religious life
✓ Explore Religious life

Topics Covered

Psychology Mothers and sons Religious life. Moeder-zoon-relaties Psychologists of religion--psychology Men--religious life Boys, religious life Religious life Men, psychology Melancholy Psychologists of religion Psychology, religious Men Psychologists of religion--religious life Mannen Depression Mother-Child Relations Men--psychology Religiosität 200/.1/9 Geloof Depressive Disorder Religion Melancholie Boys--religious life Psychologie Boys Mothers and sons. Men, religious life Religious Psychology Boys--psychology Religion and Medicine Bl53.c266 1997