The Christian Archetype: A Jungian Commentary on the Life of Christ (Studies in Jungian Psychology By Jungian Analysts) [Paperback]

Edward F. Edinger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Studies in Jungian Psychology By Jungian Analysts | Publication Date: April 1987

This book presents a much-need psychological interpretation of images and events central to the Christian myth, which may be understood symbolically in terms of the individuation of modern men and women.

The process of individuation, when it befalls a person, may lead to salvation or calamity. The reader will find here an ordered and graphic amplification of this archetypal process.

In prose and in pictures carefully selected from traditional Christian art, the author illustrates some essential stages-from Annunciation through Crucifixion to Resurrection-both in the life of Christ and in those who by choice or fate become immersed in their own psychological destiny.

CONTENTS: Annunciation * Nativity * Flight into Egypt * Baptism * Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem * Last Supper * Gethsemane * Arrest and Trial * Flagellation and Mocking * Crucifixion * Lamentation and Entombment * Resurrection and Ascension * Pentecost * Assumption and Coronation of Mary

Editorial Reviews

Review

Carl Jung said "What happens in the life of Christ happens always and everywhere. In the Christian archetype all lives of this kind are prefigured. " The Christian Archetype presents a much-needed psychological interpretation of images and events central to the Christian myth, which may be understood symbolically in terms of the individuation of modern men and women. The process of individuation, when it befalls a person, may lead to salvation or calamity. The reader will find in the pages of The Christian Archetype an ordered and grpahic amplifiction of this archetypal process. In prose and in pictures carefully selected from traditional Christian art, Edward Edinger illustrates some essential stages (from Annunciation through Crucifixion to Resurrection) both in the life of Christ and in those who by choice or fate become immersed in their own psychological destiny. The Christian Archetype is a valuable addition to the growing body of Jungian literature. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Inner City Books (April 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0919123279
• ISBN-13: 978-0919123274
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something Not For The Literal-Minded, June 17, 2001

By 

Jon G. Jackson "j_dog_jackson" (Santa Rosa, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christian Archetype: A Jungian Commentary on the Life of Christ (Studies in Jungian Psychology By Jungian Analysts) (Paperback)

I've often referred to Edward Edinger as "the primier theologian of Jungian psychology." By this, I don't mean that Edinger knows a lot about theology (which he does). Rather, I mean that Edinger is one of those earlier Jungians who accepted Jung's views as gospel facts to be believed. Fortunately, he was also a highly intelligent man who was capable of expounding the details of Jung's personal psychology. Many of his books explored various aspects of Western myth and religion. THE CHRISTIAN ARCHETYPE is one of the few that looked at New Testament themes. It's deceptively brief. None of the individual chapters gets hugely into depth. But, Edinger subtly pulls the rug out from under the expected interpretation of these scenes from the life of Jesus.

Edinger, you may know, was raised a Jehovah's Witness, and thus he was steeped in the kind of purely literal interpretation of the Bible that most American Christianity promotes. So, it's long been of interest to me that he ended up a Jungian analyst, on the far other end of the spectrum, examining the purely symbolic meaning of religion. Whether one is or isn't a believer is really irrelevent when approaching this material. Adding the symbolic to your current world view will create a more balanced whole. Yes, and it also makes life remarkably more interesting.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Christian symbolism in a nut shell, August 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Christian Archetype: A Jungian Commentary on the Life of Christ (Studies in Jungian Psychology By Jungian Analysts) (Paperback)

If you wants to understand the symbolism of the christian myth and don't want to spend hours reading in depth, this is your book It answers the question, what is the point of Christ's message from Jungs perspective, writings and indepth study. Dr. Edinger has many other books that go much deeper if your curiosity is tweaked. If anyone understood the complex implications and meaning of the "archetype" as Jung used it, it would be Dr. Edinger He tries to reach a audience with varying degrees of exposure to Jungian ideas. He should be applauded for that effort. I realize he doesn't need me to champion his work.. But I will anyway. In the Swedish review previous to mine Dr. Edinger is accused of perhaps being a "lazy dog". Well, perhaps the writer should read Dr. Edinger's writing that speaks to the reality of projection in the psyche. I am a christian and I loved the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Book, September 10, 2011

By 

Monica - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Christian Archetype: A Jungian Commentary on the Life of Christ (Studies in Jungian Psychology By Jungian Analysts) (Paperback)

I'm very happy because this book is impossible to find here in Brazil and I need it for my studies. I received it very well and soon. Thank you Amazon.