Theologians and religious practitioners have developed extensive engagements with psychological and sociological disciplines over the past seventy-five years. I wrote this book in the late 1970s with my colleague in theology and psychology at the time, T. J. Bachmeyer.
This book provides a framework for understanding the complex relationships among theology, sociology, and psychology in a critical way that can lead to new understandings, practices, and commitments.
While deeply informed by the generative work of theorists and practitioners at that time, its critical framework is still very useful for theorists, researchers, and practitioners in church and public life today.
Whether individuals or libraries want to have it for its wealth of retrospective material or for its analytic perspective, it is in easy reach, now listed on Amazon for $7.95 in paperback.
Here is what some reviewers wrote about the original printing:
“…a remarkable ecumenical book on trilateral theological analysis…” “…an excellent introduction, in simple language, into trilateral interdisciplinary research and reflection, a stimulating guide to creative theological thinking, and a useful educational instrument to initiate students to trilateral analysis in the training for ministry.” Gregory Baum, The Ecumenist. v. 19, No. 5/July-August 1981
“…the reader finds a good deal of helpful information which surely must prove broadening for a lot of social science practitioners.” “…these structures [of trilateral analysis] do stimulate imaginative reflections well worth the time of someone who works on the frontiers of science and religion.” Paul J. Philibert, O.P., S.T.D., Social Thought, Spring 1981
“For anyone interested in the interchange between theology and the behavioral sciences, this study by Everett and Bachmeyer is essential reading.” Leonard J. Weber, Horizons: The Journal of the College Theology Society, Vol. 7, No. 2. (Fall 1980)
“…[a] work of immense breadth and significance.” “…the authors…develop their position with immense care, complexity, and sophistication.” “…this book can function in a remarkably clarifying way for the organization and development of sound interdisciplinary work.” “…this book is certainly a giant step forward toward a more truly comprehensive, accurate, and critical interdisciplinary dialogue between theology and the behavioral sciences—in their practical as well as reflective dimensions.” Pastoral Psychology
“…a very important book, carefully and systematically executed, providing a framework to make explicit the implicit and undeveloped relationship between these three disciplines.” Stuart D. McLean, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
“In spite of its broad contents and sophisticated analysis of theology, psychology, and sociology, this book is immensely readable.” John D. Carter, Journal of Psychology and Theology, 9/1, (Spring 1981).