Journey to Lessen the Gap
Between Scripture and Psychology
by Sharon Priest and Kathryn Colegrave

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Orphans, Wanderers, Warriors, Altruists, and Magicians, oh my! This is not a book for the faint hearted! This book draws from three basic ideologies and shows how they intersect and compliment each other without forcing them into a box with rigid parameters. The narrative draws a clear thread from Susan Anderson’s Theory of Abandonment to the basic six archetypes, defined by Carol Pearson, to the stories of the lives of central characters in the Bible. Not by forcing connections but by logically following the interconnections of all three. The Theory of Abandonment takes us though the SWIRL of intense feelings and psychological trauma leading us to the emergence of the various personalities of archetypes and subsequently to the experience of Biblical characters in interesting situations across both culture and time. The personal experiences of both writers have been incorporated into the story for a real-life connection from two very different life perspectives.

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Sharon Priest I have always believed many psychological theories are rooted in Scripture. It is my experience that therapists are not well spoken of from the pulpit. In my thirty plus years as a mental health counsellor (Master of Social Work and Registered Clinical Counsellor) and my thirty years or so as a Christian I witnessed many people struggle and benefit from psychology. When wounds are healed, we become more the person we were created to be. I honour the courageous people who are on their journey and feel privileged to accompany them. My many years working with First Nation people fills my soul; it is like I have come home to myself. I am mother of three adult children, five biological grandchildren and one chosen grandchild. God has blessed me beyond riches, and I marvel at His work as they journey. In God all things are possible; even lessening the gap. Kathryn Colegrave Today, I live with my husband, and I am blessed with two married adult children and three amazing grandchildren. When my children were young and I was in my thirties, I was diagnosed with cancer. During the radical treatment that followed, I trusted Jesus and the Bible. However, I was struggling to understand what was happening. Confused, I turned to psychology even though I thought I might have to choose between the church or counselling. After my illness, I built a career in children’s ministry. As Sunday School Director, I took a leadership role by developing programs, connecting with families, and building adult teaching teams. Later I attended University and Seminary, learning more about Jesus and Bible teachings. The relationship between the stories in the Bible, the Abandonment Theory and the Archetypes creates a sort of bridge for me, lessening the gap between scripture and psychology.

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Contributors

Author

Sharon Priest

Author

Kathryn Colegrave