{Book Review} The Logic of the Body: Retrieving Theological Psychology

The Logic of the Body: Retrieving Theological Psychology is written by Matthew A. Lapine and published by Lexham Press. This work is a part of Lexham’s “Studies in Historical & Systematic Theology” series. 

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The Logic of the Body: Retrieving Theological Psychology

Theologies of retrieval are kind of the trendy thing in academia right now, and I am glad for it! There have been many good works published over the last few years that are engaging both classical and contemporary writings and research. “The Logic of the Body” is an excellent example of that type of publication. 

Lapine has provided a book that should have been published a long time ago. There are many books written from a “Christian Counseling” perspective (or perhaps better known as the integrative view) in which the goal is to integrate the Bible and the social sciences (namely psychology) for understanding anthropology, pathology, and solutions for helping individuals and families.

Likewise, many books have been written from a “Biblical Counseling” view that seek their understanding of anthropology, pathology, and solutions for help from Scripture alone. (Side note: Lapine isn’t writing this book from either of the positions mentioned above; I would place this book in the category of “Christian Psychology” alongside folks such as Eric Johnson, J.P. Moreland, and Kevin Vanhoozer, all of which just happen to be endorsers of the book).

The understanding of how the Bible/theology and the sciences (psychology, neurosciences, etc.) relate is a rather complex issue, and one that there is much disagreement over. How one approaches this issue will certainly affect how one understands the emotional life of a person. Are emotions cognitive and volitional only? Are they simply a feeling of bodily change? Lapine makes the case that the two can be reconciled via theological psychology. 

I have read many of the books within this “Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology” series, but this one has blown the others away in my opinion. The research is first class (just look at the footnotes and/or bibliography for proof of this). The breadth of the book is astounding, and that in under 400 pages.

Lapine begins the book with the research problem by discussing emotional voluntarism. Lapine engages with many of the writers that I have learned from, and it hurt a little bit to see their writings critiqued. However, Lapine’s interaction with them was very fair and charitable, and I found his responses to be quite convincing. Moreover, if he is right about his critiques, then it is very important (pastorally and in the one-another care within the church) for us to learn from this chapter as it will affect how we care for others.

Lapine then moves on in the next three chapters to discuss historical developments in theological psychology. He interacts with Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, and the developments in medieval and renaissance psychology. I particuarly found his section on Calvin to be very fascinating, especially when dealing with the sources that Calvin had at his disposal.

Lapine then moves on to Modern Reformed Psychology, and this was another chapter that really intrigued me. Lapine surveyed some great theologians to express their formulations of body and soul. He mentioned Charles Hodge, Vos, Bavinck, Berkhof, Berkouwer, Hoekema, and Michael Horton (I know, a rather big jump to get to Horton). The remainder of the book is essentially  Lapine arguing for a Thomistic-like view that is “both dualistic and genuinely holistic”. 

I found Lapine’s book to be a very fascinating read! His transdisciplinary approach to this book is remarkably handled. He shows himself to be competent in historical theology, biblical exegesis, systematic theology, empirical research, modern science, and more. It even has a pastoral flavor to it through the case study of Mary that he provides in the first chapter and conclusion. He helps the reader see how and why this book matters and how it applies to real life situations.

Lapine’s six theses on therapy and embodiment in the conclusion not only neatly summarize the book’s argument for sensitivity to the logic of the body, but it again shows how Lapine wants this scholarship to affect lives that are lived before the face of God. I want to highly commend this book to you, for it is one of the best books you’ll read on this topic (if not the best book). Tolle lege, take up and read! 

Disclaimer: My thanks to Lexham Press for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.