SUMMARY Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: An Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations, and Models of Integration is a book that fully looks at and examines the correlation between theology and psychology. Theology is a “branch of inquiry that among other things seeks to understand what it means to be human” (p. 3). Understanding that “all truth is God’s truth” (p. 13). Psychology is “one of several academic disciplines that attempt to understand human behavior” (p. 3). These two subjects are individualistically studied but the purpose of this book is to analyze he integration of the two. For some time different researchers have posed perspectives in support to keep the two separate. However, Entwistle explores both pros and cons and even explores the prospective of others. Entwistle defines worldview as, “a window through which he or she views the world, framed by assumptions and beliefs that color what he or she sees” (p. 55). Often time people will believe in their own ideas and beliefs to be accurate. In addition to this the author introduces a Christian worldview which is imperative when exploring the idea of integrating the two perspectives of theology and psychology. Every individual has to desire truth avoiding being partial to just their view of the world. The author using a great quote to introduce the fifth chapter: The Pursuit of Truth. “For I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this I believe, I should not understand” –Saint Anselm (p. 69). Also in this chapter, Entwistle explores epistemology, defining it as, “the sub discipline of philosophy that is dedicated to the study of the grounds and nature of knowledge” (p. ... ... middle of paper ... ...d it imperative to understand the world from different prospective. I also find it important to have knowledge and experience in the area of psychology and theology. As a Christian more importantly than anything I have to be a light for others to follow. In all that I do I have to be done for the glory of God, that he will be pleased with me. I find the information in Chapter 7 to be informative. “Our beliefs about human nature are also affected by our assumptions about the kind of world we live in” (Entwistle, 2013, p. 113). I want to be able to understand and approach both psychology and theology with a non biased perspective. Through the readings, Entwistle has given support verses, theories, definitions, and models that will better help me serve others. Proverbs 18:15, “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge” (KJV).
Religion has been a controversial topic among philosophers and in this paper I am focusing
This is David Entwistle 2nd edition book published in 2010 by Wipf and Stock in Oregon. Entwistle is a Christian and a licensed psychologist; he has affiliations with Molone University in Canton, Ohio serving as chair of the Psychology Department and has taught courses related to his licensed field. This book clearly is not written for any newcomers to religion. However, it was written for those interested in the integration of science and religion. The authors’ purpose for writing this book was to define the relationship between psychology and theology. There are three specific areas this book touched upon to help readers’ better approach psychology and Christianity in a personal and more professional manner: The context of philosophical issues and worldview, to help the readers become aware of assumptions or beliefs- making the reader a more critical evaluators, and to introduce and familiarize the reader with five paradigms for integrating psychology and theology.
David Entwistle’s (2010) is the author of the Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity. In the book Entwistle embarks on a journey to explore Psychology and Christianity. As the title suggests several approaches that are used to define the relationship of Phycology and Christianity. In the book Entwistle begins to takes us on shows that psychology and Christianity go in two different directions and meet up someplace in the middle. This allows them to provide different approaches to understanding and studying the human behavior. Entwistle, (2010) took a new approach that has rarely been used in other books that discussed the topic of integration. Entwistle, (2010) began to talk about the relationship of psychology and Christianity
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 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.”
David Entwistle's (2010) Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity is geared more towards Christians with conservative evangelical views and provides the reader an outline to different worldview disputes and truth-seeking groundwork that surround the connection that underlies psychology and theology. In addition to analyzing the possible connection of psychology and theology, Entwisle discusses the consideration of integrating Christian faith with the practice of psychology. “Christian understandings of person-hood, the purpose of human life, our need for God, and the ethical teachings of Christian faith are integral to psychology, not merely parallel to it” (p. 199). Entwistle’s viewpoint on this matter is stated clearly. He believes that it is necessary for theology and psychology be integrated in order to fully understand human nature.
Epistemology “is a complex and usually opaque subject concerned with the origins and nature of knowledge.” (pg.17)
The automatic and first context of an assessment of the New Age, as a ministerial student, is religious. For the purpose of this paper, however, I shall endeavour to limit the assessment of the New Age to the primary context of social psychology.
The foundation of a Christian worldview is the belief in a personal God, creator and ruler of the universe. The Christian worldview views the world through God’s word, providing the framework for humanity to live by giving meaning and purpose to life. It defines who Jesus is, human nature, and how salvation is achieved. In essence it is the basis of which Christians behave, interact, interpret life and comprehend reality. A Christian worldview imparts confidence, answers to life’s problems, and hope for the future. In this paper I will discuss the essentials of a Christian worldview and an analysis of the influences, benefits, and difficulties sustaining the Christian faith.
In the first chapter of Psychology in Christian Perspective by Harold W. Faw the author talks about psychology as a subject, the different aspects of the subject and how psychology fits into the Christian world. Faw begins the chapter by describing what others think psychology and his views on psychology as well. He describes that “psychology can be described as a systematic attempt to understand human behavior and conscious experience” (Faw, 1995, p. 12). He then goes on to describe the many different types of specialties of psychology which include, neurobiological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and psychoanalytic. These specialties are then integrated into the Christian worldview. They are all different so they all fit into
The Christian worldview is centered on the Gospel and places their beliefs in the essential teachings of the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, and Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (DiVincenzo, 2015). This paper will explain who God is and what he created, what our purpose and nature is as humans, who Jesus was and what he did while on earth, how God plans to bring his people back into the right relationship with himself, and as a Christian how one is to live their life with an analysis of the Christian worldview.
After reading a few of the chapters in "Psychology Through the Eyes of Faith", I feel as if I have learned more in one sitting than many in years of my life. The chapters were not life altering, but simply stated things that I have overlooked. The topics that affected me most were on living with the mysteries of faith, benefits of true rest, and the emotion of happiness. Yes, they are really in no way related, but each of these topics impacted me in a different way, and made me think about what was being presented.
Integration: The Allies Model The integration of psychology and Christianity is a very complicated subject that has sprung a heated debate over how best to integrate the two disciplines. Integration is a simple subject with many different definitions. However, according to Entwistle (2015), “The integration of psychology and Christianity is a multifaceted attempt to discern the underlying truths about the nature and functioning of human beings from the unique vantage points of psychology (in its various sub-disciplines, utilizing diverse methodologies) and Christianity (in theology, faith, and practice)” (p. 260).
of each other. Regardless, there are still Christian counselors or therapists that use (or in a
A worldview is at the core of personality, culture and religion (Shelly & Miller, 2006). It is the underlying factor for different individual multiple behaviors exhibited by people. Therefore, if we want to understand the behavior of people, we must first understand their worldview. It is also important to comprehend that the importance of religion, worldview, and spiritual life is intricately linked to associations with places of worship and personal beliefs. Some may pray or find comfort in a personal relationship with God or a higher power and others may seek meaning through connections to nature. Similar to the sense of purpose, personal definition of spirituality may change throughout a lifetime because it often
The sociological approach looks at religious belief and practice in relation to the society. Sociologists are interested in two themes, the centrality of religion in society and the diversity of forms it inhabits (Hamilton 1995/2001:1). It regards religion as a social fact subject to empirical observation, which produces empirical evidence (Dillon 2003:7). The sociology of religion is a product of the enlightenment, from which it inherited a tendency to dismiss religion as incompatible with rationality (Dillon 2003:6). This dismissal has had significant impact on the attitude towards religion and it is the basis for the most influential paradigm in the history of the field; secularisation. The secularisation theory claims that religion is or will be on the decrease in society. So profound was its impact that modern sociology often aims to account for the continued presence of religion in society and has generally held a rather negative view of religion as being an unworthy subject of study(Davies 2007:2).