Final Paper: A Synthesis of Personal Integration Process
Ronishia R. Dennis
Mid America Nazarene University
Introduction
This paper is a synthesis of my personal integration process. There are three sections in the paper which will include the integration model, theory of person and theory of change and traditioning integration.
Integration Model
In the beginning there were two integration model views that were appealing; a levels of explanation view and an integration view. A levels of explanation view is the view that I initially chose as it was most fitting in most instances. I have to admit, there was not a view that I was one hundred percent in total agreement with, there was a constant struggle between integration and level of explanation throughout the weeks as one lacked where the other compensated. For both Integration and Levels of explanation, science is an instrument of Gods revelation. The levels of explanation is that of psychological science meeting the world of faith and believing that there is a God. I believe that God has given us answers to many of our questions through his scripture readings in the Bible. I also believe that there is science hidden within some of the bibles scriptures. I do not believe that the bible has all of the answers to fully understand us as human beings, which is ultimately why I chose Integration.
Integration is dear to me because I believe that it is necessary to join both faith, or ones beliefs and science together for
Richard also speaks of four interpretive frameworks for relating science and scripture. Concordism says that the Bible contains information about nature that harmonizes with scientific reasoning. Substitutionism suggests if the Bible doesn’t agree with scientific truth it should be substituted for the scientific reasoning. Compartmentalism says science and scripture should be kept apart because they are two different things. Complementarism says that science and scripture complement each other.
Problems of personal identity generally involve questions about what makes one the person one is and what it takes for the
Entwistle refers to Francis Bacon and his description of two books authored by God. He calls these books the book of God’s Word and the book of God’s Works (Entwistle, 2010). The book of God’s Word or the Bible reveals the will of God and the book of God’s Works is a reflection of His deeds in creation and both are sources of truth. Five models of integration are built on how one thinks about the two books.
• The ability of an individual to integrate developing and different aspects of themselves over time.
According to Salmon, 1985 (Salmon 1985, p171), development and change are not limited to childhood but continue throughout our lives. It is however argued that personal identities are similar to social identities, and include group or collective identities.
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)
The advantage of integration different theories is that decreases repetition where two theories are relaying the same message with different opinions. Another advantage is that integration brings consistency to theories
According to Psychologist Abraham Maslow in “Self-actualization and Beyond,” self-actualization is a process in which one identifies his inner ability to do something productive. Once this inner talent comes out, that’s when a person actualizes himself. He believes that every individual self-actualizes, and while doing so one might make many wrong choices. Sonny and his older brother are faced with several obstacles while being on a journey to self-actualization in “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin. However, these obstacles not only come from their surroundings, but within themselves as well. The narrator himself and his younger brother, Sonny struggle with, and gradually develop their own
Forming the bond with the traditions plays a vital role in the process of identity formation. In The Namesake,
Due to differences in worldview, speculation of the possibility of integration of Christianity and psychology exists. Although these differences seem to cause conflict, or undermine integration between psychology and Christianity, some scientific data can be complimentary to the Christian worldview and provide us with a better understanding of humans as a whole. Some problems can arise when attempting to integrate theology and science, such as some Christians having contempt for secular science or secular science believing the Christian worldview is based on irrational thought. Rather than throwing out a view over differences, the differences can be examined and good aspects of psychology that align with the Biblical truths can be found.
Personal identity is essential in the human experience. Identity is complex and can be broken down into two main groups: introspective identity, and bodily identity. Introspective identity is based off of the groups, mentalities, or beliefs that you align yourself with, and bodily identity is based off of the physical side of yourself. Whether physical or introspective, your identity impacts every action you take. Whether choices ranging from what colors you prefer to which college you want to attend are primarily based off of your introspective identity, which is a combination of both memory and consciousness, physical identity impacts how others perceive you. Consciousness is mainly the awareness of bodily identity as well as continuous introspective identify, while memory is awareness of introspective identity. These two different facets of identity are imperative in the distinction between bodily identity and introspective identity. In means of personal identity introspective identity (which is evident in memory), is essential, while bodily identity (based partially in consciousness) has less credit.
3. What specific factors should the company take into account when integrating the different cultures, who should be responsible for the integration process, when and how should the integration process take place and how should its success or failure be evaluated?
Biology professor Kenneth Miller’s central argument is that science should not undermine one’s faith in God. “Science itself does not contradict the hypothesis of God.” He makes this argument by stating that science explains the things that God has made and in doing so, trying to prove the existence of God through natural or scientific means does not make sense. Once the supernatural is introduced, there is no way to use nature, thus science, to prove or disprove its existence. Miller argues that science gives us the window to the dynamic and creative universe that increases our appreciation of God’s work. The central point of his argument is evolution. Creationists, of the intelligent design movement, argue that nature has irreducible complex systems that could have only arisen from a creature or designer. This theory is widely supported among devout believers in the Bible and God. Miller argues that if they truly believe this, completely ignoring hard facts and theories, then they are seeking their God in the darkness. Miller, a Christian himself, believes that this “flow of logic is depressing”; to fear the acquisition of knowledge and suggest that the creator dwells in the shadows of science and understanding is taking us back to the Middle Ages, where people used God as an explanation for something they have yet to or want
This part will discuss self-awareness and continuous self-development through analyzing a number of prior researches, then come up with the link of them to support my role as a manager in the future.
Science “aims to save the spirit, not by surrender but by the liberation of the human mind” (Wilson, 7). Both religion and science seek to explain the unknown. Instead of surrendering reasoning with the traditional religion, a scientific approach one takes full authority over it. Being an empiricist, Wilson takes favors the scientific approach to the question: “why are things the way they are?” This question can pose two meanings: How did this happen, and what is the purpose. Traditional religion answers this question with stories, many of which are impossible to prove or disprove, making them arguments of ignorance. These explanations entail the adherent surrender reasoning and put faith in the resolution. According to Wilson these are always wrong (Wilson, 49). Science is the most effective way to learn about the natural world. Religion is merely speculation.