Bonding with God Book Discussion

Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 11:00AM - 12:30PM EDT

We have a special event announcement in April that features a conversation between two distinguished authors who have each recently published books: Bonding with God (Baker Academic) and Attachment, Religion and Spirituality (Cambridge University Press). This email is to bring to your attention our upcoming in person and virtual event (see attached flyer).

The Abundant Life Flourishing Lab will welcome Dr. Edward (Ward) Davis and Dr. Victor Counted as our two conversants and Dr. Corné Bekker as our moderator for an intriguing conversation that will occur on April 16th (4/16/26) at 11:00 a.m. EST. The theme of this conversation is Bonding with God and Spiritual Flourishing, and will include reflections and remarks from other colleagues on these recent books.

Dr. Edward (Ward) B. Davis, Psy.D. is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College (IL). He is also an alumnus of the Regent University Psy.D. program Class of 2010, and currently an Associate Editor of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (PRS) and Spirituality in Clinical Practice (SCP). His clinical work focuses on psychological assessment (with individuals and couples) and psychological consultation (with churches and other faith-based organizations). Dr. Davis is a prolific scholar and publishes on wide ranging topics including religious attachment, God representations, spiritual struggles, positive psychology, disasters, trauma, and flourishing. He coedited the Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality (Springer) and coauthored the just-released book Attachment, Religion, and Spirituality (Cambridge University Press). His exemplary work, spanning diverse populations and contexts, offers pioneering contributions to the scientific study of human flourishing and spiritual care.

Dr. Victor Counted, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at Regent University, Virginia Beach. He leads the Abundant Life Flourishing Lab, serves as Faculty Affiliate of Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program, and is a researcher in the Global Flourishing Study. He holds doctorates in health psychology (Western Sydney University) and psychology of religion (University of Groningen). His interdisciplinary work examines the psychological processes that shape human flourishing across cultures. He has authored seven books and over 100 peer-reviewed papers, and speaks globally to university, faith, clinical, and leadership audiences on the faith and human flourishing. His most recent book, Bonding With God: Attachment Theory and the Psychology of Faith (Baker Academic, 2026), which applies attachment science to spiritual life, has been praised by scholars in psychology, theology, and pastoral care as an essential resource for spiritual formation and flourishing.

Dr. Corné Bekker, D. Litt. et Phil., is Professor and Dean of Regent University’s School of Divinity. He has served in a variety of leadership capacities including Editor for the Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership, board member of the South African Council for Theological Education, Consultative Forum member of the South African Council of Churches, and Director of Regent’s Quality Enhancement Plan and Center for Christian Thought and Action. Dr. Bekker is a globally requested speaker on biblical exegesis and leadership formation and is an ordained minister actively involved in ministry in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

To register for our April 16th webinar, click here. The seminar link will open at 11:00 a.m., and the discussion will begin promptly at 11:05 a.m.

For those able to join in person, the Abundant Life Flourishing will meet in the Regent Library Gallery (1st floor) on the Virginia Beach Campus. Please share the information about this discussion with anyone you know who may be interested in attending. It is a unique opportunity to learn from our discussion experts who are eager to discuss their books in the context of God attachment and psychospiritual flourishing. We look forward to seeing you there. These details are reflected in the attached flyer.

Location: Library Gallery

Audience: Everyone

Point of Contact: daniwa7@mail.regent.edu

RSVP: https://regent.zoom.us/meeting/register/lZOXuequQbeiro7kMcj95Q#/registration

Learn More