The Conundrum of Understanding Carl G. Jung’s Psychology of Religion

Abstract

Jung’s psychology of religion is complicated. However, it has the potential to integrate both psychology and theology to heal the broken souls of many Christians. His psychology of religion deals with both psychological and theological perspectives of human psychic dynamics. His theory shows how religion is experienced in one’s deep human psyche on both a conscious and unconscious level. Also, it not only illuminates how religion can go beyond what Freud criticized but also how it can become a powerful healing source. In order to use Jung’s psychology of religion more effectively in pastoral counseling, this theory needs to be clarified and utilized in pastoral counseling more as a therapeutic method for healing Christian clients. Therefore, in this paper, I will carefully read his writings on the psychology of religion in order to see how his understanding is written from a psychological point of view in relation to the use of Christian tradition. I will also be addressing the main characteristics of his writings in order to clearly communicate his theory to Christian populations. As a methodology, I will use the method of a literature review. Based upon the method of literature review and its specific scope, this paper will have the following structure. First, I will introduce how Carl. G. Jung started his own analytical psychology apart from Sigmund Freud. Second, I will elucidate how his personal background highly impacted his understanding about religion. Third, I will closely look at his writings about the psychology of religion. Finally, I will conclude by reviewing the therapeutic implication of Jung’s understanding of the psychology of religion for healing Christian clients as well as Christian therapists, who are looking forward to analyze complicated pieces of the Christian clients’ life, suffering, faith and hope. Based upon reviewing his main writings, his understanding of the psychology of religion can be summarized through six elements. 1) acknowledging the importance of spirit over instinct. 2) gaining new awareness by seeing religion from an empirical and phenomenological perspective, 3) viewing the Trinity and cross as archetypes, 4) accepting the importance of Mass for one’s individuation, 5) attempting to explain human suffering with the book of Job and the sacrifice of Christ, 6) realizing the importance of integration between religion and science for the modern man. Based upon the clarification of Jung’s psychology of religion, this paper suggests that pastoral counseling should be more inclusive to allow the integration of psychology and theology as a therapeutic method and practice to heal christian souls. For further research, the integration of psychology and theology should be developed for Korean settings beyond Jung’s descriptions.