Study in the Psychology of Religious Phenomena

Study in the Psychology of Religious Phenomena by James H. Leuba probes the inner architecture of religious conversion, mapping how belief, emotion, and will converge in moments of spiritual change. Leuba—a meticulous early psychologist of religion—breaks the subject into clear parts: a six-stage analysis of the conversion experience (the sense of sin, self-surrender, faith, joy, the appearance of newness, and the role of the will), followed by a comparative examination of Christian doctrines such as justification, grace, and freedom of the will against the psychological facts he observes. Rich with historical conversion narratives—from St. Augustine and John Bunyan to John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, and more—Leuba blends close readings of classic testimonies with analytical rigor. The book situates itself at the crossroads of theology and nascent psychological science, offering both descriptive case studies and critical reflection on how religious experiences form and transform identity. Ideal for students and readers interested in psychology of religion, theology, church history, or conversion narratives, this influential, frequently cited study illuminates patterns beneath spiritual awakenings and helps listeners understand why faith experiences feel the way they do.