Recent attempts to relate theologies and belief systems to psychological concepts and research are based on three basic methodologies: (a) Documenting a parallel between psychological and theological concerns, (b) using religious belief and behavior as variables in basic psychological research, (c) suggesting theological reality as part of the process that accounts for religious experience. These fundamental approaches underlie both the articles in the present issue (Donahue, 1989; Hertel, 1989; Hood, 1989; Spilka & Bridges, 1989; Williams, Taylor, & Hintze, 1989) and earlier attempts at integration. The meaning and limits of each are clarified.
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