Following C. G. Jung's identification of the species-specific unconscious, a decades-long conflict arose between depth psychology and theology. The human scientist Willy Obrist manages to resolve this conflict by approaching it from the perspective of consciousness evolution. He demonstrates that the archaic-mythical worldview, from which all religions and theologies have emerged, has been fundamentally replaced by a new, more differentiated perspective during modern times. He also shows that individuals do not need to cling to the archaic worldview in order to live their faith - in the sense of Fides, qua creditur - since the core of faith remains unaffected by changes in worldview. Furthermore, Willy Obrist offers a competent, accessible introduction to all areas of depth psychology for the first time, addressing common objections from theology as well as the significant consequences that the identification of the species-specific unconscious has for the church and spirituality.

The human scientist Willy Obrist (1918-2013) studied philosophy, history, and medicine. After several years of his own practice as an internist/angiologist, he completed a study in depth psychology with training as an analyst. Since 1970, he served as a lecturer in depth psychological theory at the C. G. Jung Institute in Zurich and was a collaborator at the Foundation for Human Science Research, focusing on the evolution of consciousness. Obrist was a co-founder of the Swiss Society for Religious Studies, the Foundation for Analytical Psychology (Zurich), and the Foundation for the Promotion of Philosophy (Mönchengladbach).