John Coe

Coe is a specialist in the philosophical and theological foundation of the integration of faith and learning. His research focuses on understanding the nature of spiritual and psychological health, the history of spirituality, the work of the Holy Spirit in personal change and the interface between psychology, spirituality, and philosophy. A particular interest is in exploring approaches to spiritual direction as a complement to Christian psychotherapy. Coe is also the Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University.

Affiliations Faculty, Student
Position Director, Institute for Spiritual Formation
Position Professor of Spiritual Theology
Degree M.A. in Theological Studies
Degree B.A. in Biblical Studies,

Author's books

Embracing Contemplation: Reclaiming a Christian Spiritual Practice

What does a Christian life lived “by the Spirit” look like? Bringing together scholars and practitioners of spiritual formation from across the Protestant spectrum, this volume offers a distinctly evangelical consideration of the benefits of contemplation. The contributors draw on historical examples from the church-including John Calvin, Richard Baxter, Jonathan Edwards, and John Wesley-to consider how contemplative prayer can shape Christian living today. The result is a robust guide to embracing contemplation that will help Christians as they seek to keep in step with the Spirit.

Embracing Contemplation: Reclaiming a Christian Spiritual Practice – eBook

What does a Christian life lived “by the Spirit” look like? Bringing together scholars and practitioners of spiritual formation from across the Protestant spectrum, this volume offers a distinctly evangelical consideration of the benefits of contemplation. The contributors draw on historical examples from the church-including John Calvin, Richard Baxter, Jonathan Edwards, and John Wesley-to consider how contemplative prayer can shape Christian living today. The result is a robust guide to embracing contemplation that will help Christians as they seek to keep in step with the Spirit.

Psychology in the Spirit: Contours of a Transformational Psychology

John H. Coe and Todd W. Hall tackle these and other provocative questions in this next volume of the Christian Worldview Integration Series which offers an introduction to a new approach to psychology that seeks to integrate psychology and spiritual formation. This model “represents a spiritual formation and relational approach to psychology for the sake of servicing the spiritual needs of the church.” Their goal is to provide a unique model of doing psychology and science in the Spirit. Here you will find an introduction to the foundations, methodology, content and praxis for this new approach to soulcare.