Miracles: God, Science, and Psychology in the Paranormal [3 volumes]: God, Science, and Psychology in the Paranormal

Front Cover
J. Harold Ellens
ABC-CLIO, Jul 30, 2008 - Psychology - 980 pages

Can science, psychology, and biology explain miracles? This three-volume set attempts to answer that question, presenting the latest, as well as classic, thinking and research regarding miracles from fields that include psychology, psychiatry, theology, biology, and history. We have all heard of what seem miraculous events, which have surfaced across history. They range from stigmata and bleeding icons to deadly tumors that disappear and healers who succeed just by laying hands on the afflicted; from people who can predict unexpected events to so-called mediums and those who can allegedly see and speak with the dead. These books, led by an eminent scholar who serves as series editor for the Praeger series Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality, examine miracles of body, mind, and spirit, presenting the most recent research and writing on these uncommon events, aiming to bring hard science to some of the most persistent and peculiar phenomena associated with the human race.

Can science, psychology, and biology explain miracles? This three-volume set attempts to answer that question, presenting the latest, as well as classic, thinking and research regarding miracles from fields that include psychology, psychiatry, theology, biology, and history.

From news of a crippled woman who left her wheelchair and walked after an evangelist prayed over her, to stories of people who died on the operating table only to be revived to tell of bright lights and the pathway to the afterlife, we've all heard of what seem miraculous events. They have surfaced across history. They range from stigmata and bleeding icons to deadly tumors that disappear, and healers who succeed just by laying hands on the afflicted; from people who can predict unexpected events to so-called mediums and those who can allegedly see and speak with the dead. Some miracles are intricately tied to religious beliefs, but there are millions of people who ascribe to no particular religion, yet still believe that things happen that defy all laws of nature, and thus defy scientific explanation.

In these books, eminent scholar J. Harold Ellens and his team of expert contributors examine miracles of body, mind, and spirit, presenting the most recent research and writing on these uncommon events as they aim to bring hard science to some of the most persistent—and peculiar—phenomena associated with the human race.

About the author (2008)

J. Harold Ellens is a Research Scholar at the University of Michigan, Department of Near Eastern Studies, an ordained minister, and retired Presbyterian theologian. He is also a retired U.S. Army Colonel, and a retired Professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Psychology. Ellens is series editor for the Praeger series Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality. He has authored, co-authored, edited or co-edited 164 books and more than 165 journal articles. He served 15 years as Executive Director of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies and as Founding Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Psychology and Christianity.

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