The present article identifies three waves in the integration of psychology and theology literature including apologetic, model building, and empirical validation, bringing the discussion to a fourth wave, clinical integration. Rather than a model or destination, clinical integration is an emergent phenomenon of the dynamic complexity of the particular therapeutic configuration and therefore is best learned through supervisory experience, which includes observing, hearing, and reading cases. Subsequently, the articles that make up this special volume are case studies. In addition, the article notes the lack of cultural and theological diversity in the integration literature so invited authors were selected not only for their scholarship, but also for being newer voices in the field and for their personal diversity. The rewards, challenges, and ethics of writing about clinical cases are also explored.

The boundary between psychology and religion is at its murkiest around topics of interest to both forms of discourse. An attempt to clarify some of the boundary issues specifically present in discussions of self-control or self-regulation, this paper begins by examining self-control in healthy psychological functioning. Research on feedback loops, information processing and ego depletion have highlighted key psychological mechanisms involved in self-control. Next this paper explores common themes in religious perspectives regarding the virtue of self-control and self-restraint. A clear preoccupation of major religious traditions is the management of human passion and desire. In conclusion, three boundary concerns relevant to both psychology and religion are discussed: the meaning of virtue, differences in defining the self in self-control, and relational concerns important to understanding self-control.

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