Life is a sequence of emotional states. But what are emotions and why are they so important to us? In one of the most extensive investigations of the emotions ever published, Robert Roberts develops a novel conception of what emotions are and then applies it to a large range of types of emotion and related phenomena. Aimed principally at philosophers and psychologists, this book will certainly be accessible to readers in other disciplines such as religion and anthropology.

A proposal for a Christian psychology that draws on a Biblical critique of several popular psychologies. Psychology has invaded the Christian Church. While the imprint of modern psychology on Christians is not all bad, it can sometimes contradict and even displace true Christianity. Roberts offers a critical examination of several influential psychologies and compares their virtues with Christian virtues.

Americans tend to turn to psychology when they want to understand themselves. Today, contemporary psychology presents itself as a science, which can and ought to function independently of theology: it emphasizes individual fulfillment and sometimes suggests that we are little more than the sum total of our genes and our environment. Christians, who believe themselves to be called to develop virtues such as love, humility, faith, perseverance, and who are called to find their fulfillment in a community devoted to the love of God and service in his kingdom, may wonder whether this turning to...