Farnsworth While Hearted Integration Summary

David N. Entwistle (2015) shares a life of experiences beginning with the heartbeat of his father who believed that life held a vocation for anyone willing to be a Christian regardless of their field of employment (Entwistle, 2015, xi). This passion begins with the historical framework as well as the philosophical foundations supported by a variety of models of assimilation that accomplish a resolution of ideas throughout David Entwistle’s textbook titled: Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: An Introduction to Worldview issues Philosophical Foundations, and Models of Integration; Third Edition (Entwistle, 2015). As a licensed psychologist Entwistle (2015) shares his (and other scholars throughout history) skills, intellectual integrity, teachings, concepts, research, and reflection questions as a tool throughout his 3rd edition to entice the reader to dig deeper into the understanding of integrating theology and psychology (Entwistle, 2015).

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.

Psychological studies are mainly based on the direct observation of human behavior, rather than reasoning or speculation. Psychology is like any other subject- the majority of people have a very shallow and basic understanding of what the study involves, and yet they lack a crucial knowledge of the major struggles and disagreements among those who study it. It does not surprise me that psychology is one of the more popular majors available. By nature, it sparks human curiosity, especially as to what contributes to the system of our thoughts and the pattern in our behaviors. For the first eighteen

The Christian Psychology view by Roberts and Watson, have a more historical and philosophical approach. They do not deny modern psychology, but argue that psychology has been around for the past 2500 years. For example, he brings up issues relevant today with the Sermon on the Mount instead of the science offered by todays establish psychologist. Roberts and Watson also claim that Christian psychologist should approach psychology with the bases of the Christian tradition. “Christians must approach the subject matter of humanity embracing what God has told us about what it mean to be fully human first; that then is our framework for engaging psychology as a social science” (p. 183). Roberts and Watson purpose a two-stage method: “to first appropriate the resources of the rich, Christian psychological tradition, and then to employ it in the advance of empirical science and applied science” (p.184). This is how a Christian understanding of the person can come to hypotheses that can be tested, therefore advancing our comprehension on humans.

Dr. Crabb also suggests that, there is the “Tossed Salad” approach (Crabb, 1977). Describing this approach, Crabb suggests that the, “advocates taking the Biblical areas that are seen as overlapping or in harmony with the field of psychology and vice versa, takes “bits and pieces”(1977), of each field and combines the two, considering the result to be “Christian psychotherapy.” (1977). Crabb suggests there is a pitfall to this theory. He suggests the failure to screen out the workings of psychology that are actually contrary to the Bible is often overlooked.

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.

Within the psychology field and in society, there is a common belief that theological principles, scripture, Christianity, and psychological principles are not compatible. Instead they believe that modern psychology is secular, scientific, and sacrilegious. However, many Christian psychologists and counselors, organizations and associations such as the Society for Christian Psychology, are striving to unite, integrate and incorporate Christian values, principles and knowledge into modern psychological counseling, research, and practice. Two of the main perspectives that tries to merge the two principles and theories is the Integration perspective and the Christian Psychology perspective.

The Transformational Psychology view, by Coe and Hall, believes how we live out our Christianity is more important than our understanding of how to think “Christianly.” Its an approach that states psychology is an act of doing love. It emphasizes learning, practicing, and living psychological science through the Spirit. The goal is not to relate aspects of science to faith, rather to transform science into an actual act of faith. The transformational view offers and values the idea of soul care for individuals. This view still respects the traditions and historical aspects of psychology. It emphasizes the importance of openness towards experience, observation, and simply humanness. This approach encourages individuals to explore all the wisdom and opportunity that is out there, and come back from those experiences a deeper Christian and closer to God. It suggests that the more open we are to different experiences, the more we grow, the more we help others, and the more we can serve God. This view really makes it a point that we are our own limitation. We are the ones holding humanity back from wandering through all the amazing things this world has to offer. The transformational view has Scriptural truths as the foundation and wants those who practice science to strive to live more like Christ. It does not take presuppositions, experience, observation as the foundation, only biblical truth. A few criticisms towards the transformational psychology view point out that this

In his book Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity, David N. Entwistle explores the necessity of integrating psychology and Christianity, the worldview issues, philosophical foundations, models of integration and discusses the difficulty in doing so. It is often thought that there are secular jobs, such as a psychologist or counselor, and there are ministry jobs. Entwistle points out that God has gifted each with abilities and those abilities are best used to serve God and others.

Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity allowed me to comprehend fully the past occurrences of psychology and theology. The book displayed the faith and confidence that both psychology and Christianity must be combined in order for it to have a better understanding and allowing the client a better chance of healing. In order to do this there must be a complete understanding of each component in and of itself. Entwistle’s (2010) book presented all the facts from history as it has shaped society today (pp. 18-34). As he discussed these historic events, it shows just how the wisdom that is held today is a reflection or reaction of what happened then. Christianity has always had a huge impact on world history

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.

Deborah J. Coon’s article give the history of psychology. The article did a great job explaining how psychology as we know it today came to be. She did this by examining the standardization of introspection. In order for the shift of psychology as field to a modern techno scientific era from the medieval era to occur, it was essential that the experimental psychologists study the mind than the philosophers. The problem the psychologists faced here was how to make introspection for scientific so the field of psychology can be different from that of philosophy. When methods to standardize introspection failed, the field of psychology abandoned introspection. Then came the rise of behaviorism, intelligent testing and industrial psychology.

The field of psychology has grown tremendously over the years. Originally the field began with the Greek asking questions about how we know anything and how we can be sure that we know (Wertheimer, 2012, p.21). The philosophy’s that were created over time lead to the beginning of experimental psychology in 19th century Europe (Wertheimer, 2012, p.65). This was a time of little diversity as those who studied psychology tended to be white European men. This lack of diversity may have hindered the speed at which the field of psychology grew but has still made a great contribution to its growth.

Christian psychologists have varied opinions on the topic of integrating psychology and Christianity. Gary Collins states that "few who believe in the integration of faith and learning would

In some ways it has had its time as a more logically-based discipline, in the rapid post-war rise of psychology and psychologists (Blatt, 1975; Reich, 1981, also cited in Schneider et al.) -- the highest-profiled being perhaps Milgram (ibid.) and Zimbardo (Haney, Banks, and Zimbardo, 1973). In particular, largely laboratory-based social psychologists almost broke away from “applied” researchers through the immediate post-war period (Reich). They then came came under substantial fire during the 1960s, first for “inhuman” implications of some of the research, and then for failing to attend to pressing social problems.