INTRODUCTION
For many years there have been debates going around with whether Psychology and Christianity can be integrated. In this research paper I will show two models, for (of) integrations and two models against integration and my stance on it. I will also look at the different contributors to psychology and show how their contribution has helped us to better understand this progress. I will share my personal view on this topic and give a few solutions to see how integration can work. According the website searchcrm.techtarget.com states that integration means combining parts so that they work together or form a whole. Christianity is a religion based upon the teaching and miracles of Jesus. According to the book Hilgrad’s Introduction
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Reconciliation is not possible. You end up with an either/or position. The foundations and teachings of the two disciplines are antithetical to one another.
• At its extreme this view says that the sole source of truth is revelation and not science or reason. Human reason is fatally distorted by the noetic effects of sin and doesn’t have access to truth apart from revelation.
• Psychology is not seen as a science at all.
• Maladjustment results from our sinful nature (a spiritual cause) and therefore there is no need for psychotherapy.
• Psychotherapy becomes a substitute for the transforming work of the Holy Spirit (sanctification). Christians who subscribe to the against model become part of the anti-psychology movement. Good examples of Christian teachers who fit into this category would be Jay Adams and Martin Bobgan. The core arguments used to support the ‘against’ model can basically be split into four categories:
• The sufficiency of scripture (Sola Scriptura)
• Belief that there are two sources of counsel – God and Satan’s
• Psychology is bad science
Integration is syncretistic (Carter, John D. and Bruce Narramore,
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Some limiters of science maintain that certain areas of reality are not appropriate for scientific or on the other hand religious. These persons are “Territorialists” who limits religion and science to different territories of focus. The limiters of science believe that there are certain areas that are inappropriate for either scientific or religious study. Another set of individuals known as Perspectivalists on the other hand religion and science attempt to explain the same aspects of reality but from different, independent
Entwistle ends his book discussing obstacles to integration and how to overcome those obstacles. He
This paper will be reviewing the book “Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: an introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations and models of integration, by David N. Entwistle. As the title states, this book discusses how to integrate psychology and theology. It also dives into to why it is so important to be able to integrate the two. Entwistle explains that just because the two are different does not mean they should be separated and that we have to use both our worldviews. “Weaving together perspectives from psychology and Christian theology can help us understand and appreciate humanity more fully than we could either perspective alone.” (p.3)
Bob Kelleman, in his book Gospel-Centered Counseling, suggests that a study of human mind is not a product of modern psychology. However, men’s attempt to know and understand human suffering and problems began even far back from Greek philosophy. Thus, Paul rightly says in Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (KJV).” However, it is certainly true that rise of psychology in modern era restricted the use of counseling to a secular world, while breaking a tie between counseling and religion in its usage. Secular society claimed counseling has no place in religion, its usage and methodology can be utilized and systemized only by pure science. This is how Christian ministry began to lose a counseling in its domain.
In the Lord Of The Flies by William Golding, Ralph, the protagonist of the story, facing difficult challenges as he struggles to survive and prove himself on a remote island, with no grown ups around. The boys are brought together when Ralph blows a conch shell, and he is then elected as leader of the group of stranded boys because of it. Almost immediately he is met with oppostion from the leader of the choir boys, Jack. Golding uses these two leaders to contrast two different styles of leadership, and to cement the idea that Jack, the antagonist, and his style of leadership are more efficent than Ralph and his style. Ralph is still a boy in the story, he has traits that would make him a good leader, but the way that he handles them truly
David Entwistle’s (2010) book, Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration, opens the reader’s eyes to unexpected possibilities, beginning with the often combative regimes of faith and reason using Tertullian’s symbolism of Athens as the seat of reason and Jerusalem as the seat of faith; which is the basic ongoing battle between science and religion (Entwistle, 2010). What Entwistle addresses is his belief that integration of the disciple of psychology and Christianity is possible, each contributing to the
Today, the integration of Christianity and psychology is becoming more increasingly recognized. The integration begins with understanding the sinful state of the human condition as viewed from a biblical perspective. It continues with being faithful to Christian stewardship and not only embracing theology but also the psychology of human behavior (Entwistle, 2015). A more accurate and complete understanding of human nature and function is provided through the integration of Christianity and psychology. The Allies model confirms that Christian theology and psychology are both subject to God’s authority, and exemplifies the best integrative relationship between Christianity and psychology (Entwistle, 2015). This paper will discuss the integration of Christianity and psychology through the Allies model. It will define integration, review reasons and explanations of why Christianity and psychology should be integrated. As well as look at different methods of knowing, the Allies model concept, and the two books idea along with strengths and weaknesses of this model.
Hurricanes with female names are often underestimated and thus more people have died in female named hurricanes than male named hurricanes (Fixmer-Oraiz and Wood 97). This is a direct result of the idea of gender stereotypes seen throughout the chapter. The stereotype that women are fragile or weak hinders females in every aspect of life. Whether that be in sports, workplace, or the household. Sports announcers tend to focus more on a females outfit, hair, and bodies.
The integration of psychology and theology is so intertwined that it has caused ill-well between the two disciplines. The over-arching concern for a counselor is to understand the why of a person disorder. In trying to understand the why, there are issues concerning the mind of the person, the thought process, their body, their soul, their temporal and the supernatural systems that can be manipulated if they are not living with a healthy lifestyle. So what a counselor is trying to discover is the physical function of individuals as well as trying to uncover the spiritual components of their lives, which can be worked through within the intake process, however it does not need to be left out during the counseling process. This is best said in the words of McMinn (1996) who declares “the best interdisciplinary integration work usually comes from those who have formal or informal preparation in both psychology and theology” (p. 9). Scripture states in, II Chronicles 1:10, says “give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours” (New International Version)? This research article will endeavor to search through varies theories to aid counselors in the integration process of psychology and theology. Because the ultimate goal for any counselor especially the Christian counselor is to be used as an instrument for God to bring about healthy living, corrective thoughts, and eradicate persistent sins.
In this paper, I discussed my personal theory regarding the integration of Christianity and psychology, as it relates to my beliefs, and how the summation of these two components will be reflected in my future counseling practice. I considered several factors that were critical to my personal counseling theory. First, I considered the human personality, such as, individual differences, motivations, and human development. Each person is unique; however, both Christianity and psychology have discovered common threads that are woven throughout the human race, and I believe that information is imperative to the counseling process. Next,
The Integration perspective is the view that incorporates and offers a theory that integrates and creates a balance between Christian doctrine and modern psychology. Characteristic of this approach is the inclusion of Christian principles and scriptural references, along with observations, research, empirical research, mathematics, and natural science theory and principles. Integrationists understand and value the contributions of modern psychology and science; which has completely revolutionized the understanding of humanity specifically in areas such as, personality, cognition, socialization, human development and etc. Even so, Integrationists also understand that science does not address and answer all questions regarding human nature. For example, science cannot offer explanations as to
The book Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity second edition by David Entwistle introduces the text by explaining how psychology can go in a direction, and Christian theology approach can lead in a different direction. He continued by stating the need for understanding and studying human behavior because people come from different walks of life and different expectations. It leads us to form unique perspectives to help give us an understanding of the individuals you encounter. The Entwistle 's book addresses the relationship between Christianity and culture, Christianity and science, and Christianity and psychology.
Enwistle’s book, Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration (2010) is a text that explores integrating psychology and Christianity. We start out by learning about integration related to both psychology and Christianity. Is this a thing? Is integration between these two subjects a subject itself? Enwistle explores through time to reveal how psychology and Christianity have been both closely studied and intertwined throughout time. Enwistle (2010) defines Christian psychology as “ a commitment to a Christian worldview that shapes how psychology is studied and applies, and that recognizes that there are specific Christian resources that uniquely reveal crucial aspects of what it means to be human (p. 14). Those in the psychology or counseling field who are also Christian have unique and different approaches but they draw from both Christianity and psychology to help them succeed.
What does psychology have to do with the Christian faith? In Psychology and Christianity: Five Views, by Myers, Jones, Roberts, Watson, Coe, Hall, and Powlison (2010) is an introductory textbook for Christian psychology that provides sound arguments for an array of positions on psychology and faith. Each author contributed an essay and in return the other essayist respond by either agreeing or disagreeing by pointing out faults and explaining why.
It is amazing that in this book, the topics addressed which for many; perhaps they will not have much sense. Nevertheless, instead for those who for some reason their field of work is what being refers to the integration of psychology with theology, this book becomes an immeasurable help. Although some are not in agreement with the principle of integration of these two sciences, it is interesting what Entwistle mention in his book when he says that: “…if we are to study this mystery as Christian scholars, then we must unapologetically admit that a Christian worldview informs our understanding of persons and our approach to the discipline of psychology.” (Entwistle, 2010, pp. 220-221)
The study of psychology and Christianity has been known to be at odds over the past several decades. Many believe that Christianity and Psychology cannot mix or intertwine. They believe a person can only believe in one but not both. In this essay I will discuss what the integration view entails in reference to psychology and Christianity. I will then discuss the major objectives that can arise from this view and follow by the counter objectives and core strengths of this view. I then will give an example of how this view can be used practically in a counseling situation.