Psychology and biblical teachings have history of being considered the opposite of each other. Regardless, there are still Christian counselors or therapists that use (or in a sense, have to use) techniques that come from psychological theories. They key here is to evaluate these psychological theories while using the truth of the bible as a guide. Doing so will help determine what may be helpful to use in certain situations and what will be opposed to God. Considering psychology is such a vast field, a Christian counselor will have to research many varieties of these psychological theories. The purpose of this essay is to examine and decide which psychological theory for counseling coincides with or opposes a Christian worldview. The two theories that will be discussed and examined on how it relates to a Christian worldview are Psychoanalytic Theory and Adlerian Theory. Both of these theories’ founders have different views of human nature and I will not only give my opinion on them, but I will also discuss how they coincide or oppose a Christian worldview. In this essay I have decided that Sigmund Freud’s theory, Psychoanalytic Theory, is the least congruent with a Christian worldview. In contrast, I believe that Adlerian Theory is the most congruent theory with a Christian worldview. These following pages will explain why I believe this to be as well as some scriptures that relate to why I believe this. Sigmund Freud has said himself that he believes God is an illusion. This belief that Freud concluded reflects in some of his work and even in his theory: Psychoanalytic Theory. Psychoanalytic theory definitely treats God as an illusion; this is obviously a perspective that is not so biblical or Christian. Some of the concepts in this theory seem helpful when describing the depravity of humanity and giving an explanation of man’s disturbance or confusion, but this theory’s solution is not correct. Psychological health can not be obtained by simply reliving the past. If you look at this theory by using a Christian worldview, freedom does not come from achieving self-awareness… it comes through Christ. “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) Freud’s perspective in this theory is very egocentric and the importance of loving others is very minimal. The importance of loving others is something needed for the spiritual health of a Christian. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one
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.
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)
Freud’s theory was developed from speculation based on
Faw mentions two important questions that come up when psychology and Christianity is combined. The first being “the bible’s own claims to sufficiency” (Faw, 1995, p. 18) and the second questioning if nonbelievers can understand and learn the truth. The bible’s sufficiency says that no outside source can be used or relied on however; we still use technology and medicine as it keeps us healthy but if we do use it we should use it wisely and in the eyes of God and his Word. The second concern, that nonbelievers can not understand the truth, states that God is the only one who knows the whole truth and we are just made in his image. I believe that we are all taught something different determinant on how we are raised and this leads to everyone having different viewpoint and differing opinions. This can be a positive thing and can also relate to our views on knowing what is right and what is wrong. We all had a distinctive upbringings and if we were raised to believe one thing is right, someone else in the world may be taught that it is wrong. Even thought we all have differing views on many things, it does not mean that we should not hate, we should accept people for who they
Entwistle’s book explores the links and integration between psychology and Christianity. As the title explains this book paints a picture of the conflicting worldviews and philosophical foundations that people perceive about how they can be integrated. Entwistle provides research through scholarly reflection and various models that link both psychology and Christianity together. Entwistle remarked by saying “There are many events that raise both theological and psychological questions and such events serve as useful springboards to investigate links between Christian theology and other disciplines” (Entwistle, 2015, p. 8). This statement sets the stage for the readers to understand how some events throughout history have laid the
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.
and that all truth is known by God, who is sovereign over all things” (Entwistle, 2015. p. 147). Furthermore, the Allies Model affirms that neither psychology nor Christianity should be subject to the other and both disciplines provide value to the subject of human nature. The Allies Model is not “content to reject either of God’s books, and they desire to read both competently. Those who embrace the Allies model are convinced that we will read more accurately when our reading is informed by a biblical worldview”
The Bible is the holy, inspired, infallible Word of God. Within the Bible, there are different stories and principles that the Lord gave us through special revelation. In the New Testament there were Jewish or religious groups that began teaching unbiblical doctrines. Two of those sects were the Pharisees and the Essenes. The importance of learning about these groups is so that we can see how they were wrong and to make sure we don’t mirror their actions. In this paper I will be comparing the Pharisees’ views on God and Jesus with that of the Essenes’.
These ideas can be found in Christianity as well. In the Christian faith, it is believed that there is a perfect being that is eternal, unchanging, has absolute truth, and creates all that is seen in the universe, this being is one they call God.
We cannot over simplify human behavior and the power of belief. Belief being the structure humans have created to understand one’s existence. Equally important, beliefs reassure a sense of balance and control in a world where we may feel powerless or helpless despite scientific developments. Nevertheless, science is the reality tested. Bultmann, points out blind acceptance of the New Testament’s written word would be irrational, and “a sacrifice of the intellect which could have only one result – a curious form of schizophrenia and insincerity” . Nevertheless, there remains a confusion that pervades modern ideas of the universe and our existence. Bultmann did acknowledge the truths a shallow enlightenment had failed to perceive are later rediscovered in ancient myths. Therefore, the task of dissecting the written words and structure of the New Testament is important for clarification and
the theories, and the techniques dealing with Christian and secular counseling will require different tactics and approaches for it to be effective
Worldview expression is the quintessential way to elucidate what is going on within us, as well as the agency which telegraphs our cognitive claims and operative beliefs back to the world. That is, what we speak and do, reveals the lens upon which we view the world around us. From a personal application standpoint, theism, the worldview lens by which I base my decisions and actions, encompasses and influences several realities, namely, when it concerns verity with regard to what I believe and why I trust it, and how it affects my actions within a circadian cyclical system. Indeed, a Christian theistic worldview has been an instigator of change in my life, and answers the why and how of who we are and where we are going.
The aim of this essay is to clarify the basic principles of Freud’s theories and to raise the main issues.
Many of his ideas led up to psychoanalysis, but a major contribution was his book, “The Interpretations of Dreams”. Psychoanalysis is both a treatment, as well as a theory. Freud believed that if the unconscious thoughts were brought to the surface, than people could be helped or cured. He believed that a person's development is essentially determined by forgotten events in childhood, rather than biologically. Using psychotherapy would involve many lengthy sessions that included the patient and the psychologist speaking about issues, emotions, and traumatic experiences. The psychologist would typically sit out of sight from the patient and take notes as he/she spoke. Psychoanalysis uses techniques such as ink blots, parapraxes, free association, interpretation, resistance analysis and transference analysis to study the human mind. In modern day psychology, Freud’s works are widely criticized. One of the main critiques of psychoanalysis is that is solely lacks scientific proof. It is unmeasurable and cannot be proven nor disproven. Another major critique is that Freud used the case-study method, and focused mainly on wealthy European women, instead of broadening his studies on other types of people. Many people think that Freud over-sexualized everything in his theories, as well. Although Freud’s theories are often critiqued and overlooked, it is no secret that because of Sigmund Freud and his findings, psychology has come as far as it has today. Many of his theories and thoughts are a basis for other psychologists’ findings. Sigmund Freud was one of the most influential thinkers of his time. He opened the door for others to follow his “out of the box” styles of thinking. Psychoanalysis also opened the door for scientists to begin to study the unconscious mind, as well as dreams (which were not studied much before Freud). Because of Sigmund Freud,
Sigmund Freud, probably the most famous psychologist and most controversial of the twentieth century, has helped shaped how we consider our views of the world. His theories bring forth a new kind of thinking to the psychology world and show why we think them. It’s a way many don’t think but may put forth the reasoning to it. There are many though that think Freud was just another crazy psychologist that was on drugs. Though his many proofs behind his major theories such as: the conscious and unconscious mind, the Id, Ego, and Superego, psychosexual theory, and others as well, can prove why it wasn’t just a drug trip Freud was on.