DAYTON, Tenn. – Hundreds of students, counselors and academics will flock to Bryan College’s campus in Dayton this weekend to watch five nationally noted psychological researchers debate the role of Christianity in modern counseling.
“Some social critics would cite the existence of over 250 schools of psychological method that are identifiable,” said Dr. Daryl Charles, director of the Bryan Institute for Critical Thought and Practice that is hosting the event. “A lively debate has been running as to what model or view is most distinctly Christian.”
The symposium, Christianity and Psychology: Five Views, is the nondenominational Christian college’s most recent initiative to discuss how personal faith plays out in public spheres such as politics, education, law and science.
Dr. Eric Johnson, professor of pastoral care at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the director of the Society for Christian Psychology, will kick off the event with a talk in chapel at 11 a.m. Friday.
Bryan professors say the free event – which will count as education credits for professional counselors who attend – is the most important event ever in the psychology department and will be a significant outreach for the campus.