A response to Malony and Carroll

Author: Haartman, Keith

Source: Archive for the Psychology of Religion / Archiv für Religionspychologie, Volume 29, Number 1, 2007 , pp. 59-64(6)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Haartman responds to points made by Malony and Carroll. Malony suggests that Methodist repentance was characterized by "devotion" and "joyous possession" rather than fear. Haartman argues that the hysterical crises and the persecutory ideation that accompanied Methodist conversion was often triggered by Wesley's invitation to accept God's love. The data points to a conflict model involving rage and anxiety, as well as devotion. Haartman concedes to Carroll's argument that the majority of Methodists hailed from the lower working class and that the psychology of evangelical nurture does not apply to this constituency. However, the authors of the official autobiographies were drawn from the middling ranks and revealed struggles with authoritarian parenting. Haartman challenges Carroll's emphasis on orality and regression as the primary psychoanalytic explanation for Methodist spirituality.

Keywords: EVANGELICAL NURTURE; MYSTICISM; ORALITY; PRIMARY NARCISSISM; PSYCHOANALYSIS; REGRESSION; RITUAL MOURNING; SPLIT IMAGO

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/008467207X188612

Publication date: 2007-06-01