"The way is made by walking."
- Augustine
About Dr. Liz Hall
Dr. M. Elizabeth Lewis Hall is Professor of Psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, where she researches and teaches at the intersection of suffering, meaning-making, and Christian spirituality. A Fellow of the American Psychological Association, she has received numerous awards for her work integrating psychology and theology, including APA's William C. Bier Award and CAPS's Narramore Award. She serves as Associate Editor of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality and Social Sciences Editor of Christian Scholars Review.
Dr. Hall earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. She is passionate about bringing psychological insights into conversation with Christian theology and practice. For over 30 years she has been exploring how faith and psychology can work together to help people flourish—especially in the midst of suffering. Her research focuses on how practices like lament and identifying with Christ in his suffering can transform our hardest experiences into pathways for growth.
A cancer diagnosis in her forties launched Dr. Hall into what psychologists call the meaning-making process. Through her own journey and subsequent research with Christians experiencing difficult life events, she discovered how ancient spiritual practices can transform suffering into pathways for growth. This personal encounter with suffering drives her passion to provide the church with resources that honor both psychological realities and theological truths.
Dr. Hall's work has been supported by numerous grants, including grants from the John Templeton Foundation and Templeton World Charity Foundation, and has resulted in over 150 publications.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Hall enjoys gardening, mystery novels, and hiking with her husband Todd, also a psychologist. They have two adult sons.
Research Areas
Dr. Hall's grant supported work, explores several interconnected areas:
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Christian meaning-making in suffering - How believers find purpose and growth through difficult experiences
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The practice of lament - Recovering this ancient Christian practice for contemporary believers
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Moral emotions and science - Understanding how emotions like anger, disgust, and contempt influence how we engage with new scientific technologies
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Women in Christian contexts - Examining gender dynamics in churches and Christian higher education
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Embodiment and faith - Exploring what it means to be embodied beings in light of Christian theology