Love Your Neighbor: How Psychology Can Enliven Faith and Transform Community

Biographical Note:

Katherine M. Douglass is associate professor of educational ministry and practical theology at Seattle Pacific University. She is also an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Her research interests include the role that the arts play in faith, confirmation as a rite of passage, ministry with marginalized youth, and religious socialization in the home.

Brittany M. Tausen is assistant professor of social psychology in the honors college at Baylor University, where she teaches in the Baylor interdisciplinary core. Her research focuses primarily on ways to reduce dehumanization, enhance neighbor love, and cultivate virtue so that loving intentions more readily manifest in loving actions. She is director of Classrooms that Cultivate Character, an initiative that leverages science-backed practices to help young adults grow in virtue.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Dominique DuBois Gilliard
Introduction

Part One: When Circumstances Get in the Way of Loving Your Neighbor
1. Noticing Your Neighbor
2. Hurrying Less
3. Decluttering Physical and Mental Space
4. Assuming Responsibility, Even When It's Not Your Fault

Part Two: When Thoughts and Feelings Get in the Way of Loving Your Neighbor
5. Giving Others the Benefit of the Doubt
6. Recognizing Everyone's Full Humanity
7. Letting Go of Contempt
8. Letting Go of a Scarcity Mindset
9. Being Open to Thinking Again

Part Three: Choosing to Love Better
10. Treating Every Place Like Home
11. Strengthening Your Empathy Muscles
12. Talking Less and Listening More
13. Embracing the Power of Your Presence
14. Persisting When You Are Being Treated Poorly
Conclusion: Being Who God Made You to Be

Final Note from the Authors
Glossary
Acknowledgments
Notes

"A practical and inspiring invitation for us to choose, like the Samaritan, to cross the road."
--The Englewood Review of Books

"[Douglass and Tausen] are thoughtful guides who forge a logical path through each concept, encouraging readers to try their ideas in their own neighborhoods. This provides a helpful guide for small groups or individuals seeking to make real change in their communities and in themselves."
--The Presbyterian Outlook

"An energetic, research-based guide . . . Fluidly translating psychological insights into accessible prose, the authors illuminate the challenges to human connection and offer well-grounded--if not especially surprising--strategies for surmounting them. It's a refreshing primer on how to apply a religious dictum that's easy to remember but hard to practice."
--Publishers Weekly

"This book shimmers with practical wisdom for loving our neighbors better. It invites readers to reflect on everyday life and discern concrete steps for faithful action. It doesn't just call us to love--it shows us how."
--Ted A. Smith, Emory University

"Written for what Martin Luther King called 'the fierce urgency of now, ' Love Your Neighbor is a master class on integrating the inner work of spirituality with the empirical work of science for the sake of coming together in a divided world. Timely, nuanced, refreshingly practical, and blessedly compelling, Love Your Neighbor is your church's very next read."
--Kenda Creasy Dean, Princeton Theological Seminary

"This book is needed now more than ever. In a world dominated by divisive political rhetoric, rampant greed, and uncertainty about the future, we need voices like Douglass and Tausen to take us back to the heart of the gospel. Whatever your politics, no matter your theological tradition, whether you're new to Christianity or you don't remember a time in your life when Jesus didn't matter, this book is for you. The authors will provoke, challenge, encourage, and affirm you as they stretch your imagination toward greater love for all people, even--no, wait, especially--those who are most difficult to love."
--David M. Csinos, Atlantic School of Theology

"In this thoughtful and readable book, Douglass and Tausen provide both a richly researched and highly practical account of the struggle to live as good neighbors in an increasingly polarized world. The authors offer not only a diagnosis but a remedy-- to seek the 'transforming of our minds' so that we may think and act in a more Christlike way with the people we meet and live alongside. This is contemporary writing on discipleship at its best, combining scientific insights with biblical scholarship to offer real-life, down-to-earth advice."
--Nick Shepherd, Church of England

"In sports, discipline and practice create results. This book shows how the same is true in faith--its exercises train us to love others with consistency and compassion."
--D'Anthony Smith, Super Bowl champion and licensed mental health practitioner

"Douglass and Tausen's integration of social psychology and practical theology is unique and compelling. Personally honest and scientifically grounded, the book weaves together stories, data, and Scripture that stir both the mind and spirit, awakening a sense of curiosity and wonder about what's possible in our neighbor-loving when we understand the challenges and engage the tools we've been given. While the world is full of barriers to community care, this book removes those barriers, making room for deep faith transformation and more tender ways of seeing and loving our neighbors."
--Katey Hage, Seattle Quest Church

"Douglass and Tausen offer much-needed spiritual medicine for the twin epidemic of loneliness and polarizing contempt tearing through society today. Psychological principles considered theologically combined with theological convictions fleshed out psychologically propel the reader to take a risk of love toward one's neighbors."
--Gordon S. Mikoski, Princeton Theological Seminary

"Theology and psychology have been adrift from each other for far too long. Douglass and Tausen are well qualified to remedy this problem, and they do so in an invitational manner. They reunite psychology and theology in practical ways that will impact readers' relationships with their neighbors and with themselves."
--Sarah Ann Bixler, Eastern Mennonite University

Discover how science can shed new light on one of Scripture's greatest commands--and transform your community one relationship at a time.

The biblical call to "love your neighbor" echoes through centuries, yet remains one of Christianity's most profound--and challenging--practices. In this innovative synthesis of practical theology and psychological science, professors Katherine M. Douglass and Brittany M. Tausen bring ancient wisdom from Scripture and cutting-edge research into a conversation that can revolutionize how you build meaningful connections.

Pulling from their respective areas of expertise, Douglass and Tausen illuminate the psychological pathways and spiritual practices that activate neighbor love. Through engaging stories and evidence-based insights, they reveal why human connection often falters--and provide actionable strategies to overcome these barriers.

Each chapter pairs illuminating research with practical exercises that readers can implement immediately, creating ripples of connection that extend far beyond their immediate circles. Love Your Neighbor doesn't just explain the biblical command--it empowers you to live it. Ideal for personal growth, small groups, or community-wide initiatives, this essential resource will help you love better and cultivate more Christlike ways of living in community.

Review Citations:

• Publishers Weekly 11/10/2025 (EAN 9780802885234, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:Douglass, Katherine M

Katherine M. Douglass is associate professor of educational ministry and practical theology at Seattle Pacific University. She is also an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Her research interests include the role that the arts play in faith, confirmation as a rite of passage, ministry with marginalized youth, and religious socialization in the home. She is coauthor of Love Your Neighbor: How Psychology Can Enliven Faith and Transform Community.

Brittany M. Tausen is assistant professor of social psychology in the honors college at Baylor University, where she teaches in the Baylor interdisciplinary core. Her research focuses primarily on ways to reduce dehumanization, enhance neighbor love, and cultivate virtue so that loving intentions more readily manifest in loving actions. She is director of Classrooms that Cultivate Character, an initiative that leverages science-backed practices to help young adults grow in virtue. She is also the coauthor of Love Your Neighbor: How Psychology Can Enliven Faith and Transform Community.