When what we say contradicts what we do
We have entered a period in the world where there is an enormous amount of stress. Many people are trying to make sense of a multitude of critical issues; such as, wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, as well as a variety of dictatorships, abuse of human rights and the devaluation of women.…
Identity Anxiety: When churches struggle to survive
After 57 years in ministry plus 42 years in psychology, I am more convinced than ever that one of the most critical issues for social and personal cohesion is identity. Knowing who I am, where I fit in to my social group, where I’m heading with my life, my relationships with family and others, the…
Donald Trump: How to respond and will he be elected?
Mention this name in the USA and you can be assured of a response: most likely on opposite ends of the spectrum. There will be die-hard supporters and those who find the man quite repulsive. In Australia there will be some similar responses, although much more varied in intensity. So, what does this mean for…
Language….please!
Some from my generation, the WW 2, pre-baby boomers, will have heard that phrase many times growing up. Swearing was simply not permitted in polite families. Even words like “damn it” were considered swear words. So we know, whether we agree about swearing or not, that language is critical to how a society describes itself.…
When sadness damages hope
Hope is a critical factor in maintaining good mental health. A lot of research has been invested in the concept of hope and reflecting on why some people survive horrendous conditions, such as concentration camps, while others do not. Resilience is one factor identified in maintaining hope and it seems that some are born with…
If I am right, then you MUST be wrong!
While conflict is inevitable, it does not necessarily need to be unproductive. If I begin with the proposition that what I see is my perception of truth and what someone else sees is their perception of truth, then we have the chance to become curious about each other’s perceptions. On the other hand, if I…
Living & Dying
A Biblical-Narrative Psychological response to Hebrews 9:24-28 Given the highly symbolic language used in this text, it is important to remind ourselves that Biblical-Narrative Theory is interested in hearing a story as story, not ignoring context or history, but concentrating on the relationship of the story to personal and communal identity, as well as the…
A Love story: Better than Home & Away!
A Biblical-Narrative Psychological response to Ruth 3:1-10 Biblical-Narrative psychology contrasts the faith journey of Ruth with the grasping non-faith journey of Jacob, towards finding identity. Whereas Jacob is constantly looking for confirmation of his goals in literal terms he can understand, such as deceiving his uncle Laban, Ruth takes a faith journey into the unknown.…
Kindness & Hope
It is easy to assume that kindness is a simple activity. After all, it costs nothing and has psychological health benefits for all parties. Yet, the lack of kindness can be observed wherever we choose to look. Why is such a simple activity so absent from the world in which we live? Can a psychological…
Why is cooperation so hard in politics?
Watching and listening to politicians speaking to each other in Australian parliaments one could be forgiven for becoming puzzled and even distressed. Why do seemingly educated adults carry on in the way they do? What are they trying to achieve? Are they aware what it looks like to someone from the outside? The answers to…
The gap between the ‘idealised’ self and the ‘real self’
People who inhabit faith systems often espouse high moral, ethical ideals. Words used include, compassion, justice, love, community, generosity, inclusion etc. The problem with all groups – and faith groups in particular – is that the IDEALS espoused are often a long way away from the REALITY LIVED. That, in and of itself, is not…
INTRODUCTION
Psychology and Hope is a new site to bring the human sciences and spirituality to bear on current social issues. My name is Peter Powell. I am a semi-retired ordained minister in the Uniting Church in Australia and psychologist. I completed my theology and pastoral care studies in Sydney and Melbourne, my supervisory training in…
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
psychology and hope 