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In this book, a number of these pioneers in the field of psychology of religion account for their development in this area, depicting the diverse contexts of their work, the difficulties they had to deal with, and the increasing contemporary possibilities.

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In the past four decades or so, the so-called psychology of religion - after having been deemedextinct, impossible or unlikely - has risen to prominence again: the number of publications is
rapidly growing, an impressive secondary literature (handbooks, introductions, etc.) is available
already, infrastructure has been developed (a number of new journals devoted to the subject
have been founded, organizations have been established, increasingly funding is going to the
area), attracting many new researchers. Organizations like the American Psychological
Association are now publishing in the field of psychology of religion (and its Div. 36 ["psych of
rel"] with almost 3,000 members is already midsized among the APA-divisions). This book
documents this re-emergence and development.

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The comeback of the psychology of religion: The aims of the present volume.- My concern with psychology of religion: Defending psychology, respecting religion.- The path of least resistance.- Pastoral psychology as a point of transfer from systematic theology to the psychology of religion.- Toward a mainstream psychology of religion beyond poor relation status.- "Writing heavenly language": My research on Pentecostalism and Glossolalia.- Psychology of religion: A personal narrative.- Changing ways of doing things: An autobiographical account of some of my experiences in the psychology of religion.- Evolution of a career: Psychologist of religion incognito.- The story of a late rider.- An accidental psychologist of religion.- Anthropology as a voyage of discovery: Or, everything that finds expression in man merits consideration.- Why the psychology of religion? A rocky path to self understanding.- From the History of Religion to the Psychology of Religion.- How and why I became interested in the psychology of religion.- The evolution of a psychologist of religion.

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