Is it possible to integrate psychology and christianity

The post was entitled, The Integration of Christianity and Psychology. You can find the post here. Because this is an important post, we ask one of our Council Board members, Jeff Forrey , to share his reflections on it.

In reading Dr. Therefore, it seems unwise to critique her point of view as such. Instead, I sought to raise questions prompted by what she wrote. My comments mostly follow the order of comments she made in her post. First, Dr. Rainer wrote:. This model proposes humans develop and operate according to biological, psychological, and social influences. While the traditional psychological theories and models that are based upon naturalism are insufficient from a Christian worldview, not all of secular psychology is wrong.

Rainer is right to say that traditional psychological theories are based on naturalism, because they seek to understand human nature and experiences without reference to God and His Word. With regards to secular psychology, the question that needs to be addressed by Christians is: To what extent does this naturalism influence the enterprise of mainstream psychology [1]?

She hints later that secular psychological research should be approached cautiously, which is true. But it is unclear what she means. What elements of the secular psychological enterprise might be tainted by the presupposition of naturalism?

Consequently, the definitions of psychological constructs, the creation of research questions, the interpretations of collected research data, and the applications of study conclusions are all aspects of research that must be evaluated from the perspective of a biblical, God-centered point of view.

This can be well attested by the books addressing spirituality published in recent years by the APA. How does the use of this term by mainstream psychologists correspond to the relevant terminology used in the New Testament? Illustrative of this approach are attempts to subject biblical characters and events to psychological analysis in a manner that explains away their miraculous and divine aspects. It is common among Christian liberals.

The third rejected approach is the Parallels model which recognizes both psychology and Christian theology as legitimate but makes no attempt to integrate them. The Parallels model keeps theology and psychology in separate secular and sacred compartments. This can be done in an unreflective way in the manner of the "common man. An example of this approach would be a pastor's use of psychology to illustrate and support biblical teaching.

Carter and Narramore prefer the Parallels model to the Against and Of models, but as professional psychologists they still reject it in favor of "the possibility of genuine integration" p. The Integrates Model in the Light of Genesis Carter and Narramore are Bible-believing Christians and as such accept basic biblical doctrines including those pertaining to the nature of man.

They fully accept the view of man as created in the image of God as well as his subsequent Fall. Quite properly, both of these doctrines are included in their formulation of the Integrates model. The assumption that gives the Integrates model its unique and questionable thrust is the proposition of "the unity of truth.

This proposition is frequently referred to as "the unity of truth. The problem with the "unity of truth" doctrine is that it ignores the fundamental distinction between scriptural revelation and the stimuli which come to our senses from the creation.

Scriptural revelation is not fallen. It consists of propositional statements introduced by God after the Fall for the purpose of communicating to fallen man. As such it takes into account man's and the rest of creation's fallen condition.

The Bible teaches that the creation, including the power of human reason, is fallen. Therefore, the interpretations and conclusions drawn from study of data emanating from the creation cannot be given equal status with clear and simple declarations found in Scripture, and the last thing Christians want to do is cloud the propositional teachings of the Bible by integrating them with the shifting sands of scientific theories and models.

On the contrary, the crucial work of the believer is to preserve and advance that "once-for-all-entrusted-to-the-saints" faith which provides a fixed framework not only for lawful and productive science but for every aspect of life.

Unfolding the Integrates Model To state it again, the fatal misstep of the Integrates model is its assumption of the "unity of truth. In almost every area of psychology, Scripture has much to say that can influence our understanding of psychological research, theory, and practice. This is what we mean by the term integration. Psychology is raising questions and providing data that bear on our theological understanding of the human being, and theology expresses divinely revealed truths that speak to psychology's developing view of humanity p.

The logic is simple. Scripture is true but so are the data emanating from the creation. Man is fallen, however, and, therefore, fallible. Thus, his or her interpretation of both Scripture and the data from the creation are less than certain. Calvin Theological Journal, 46 2 , Carter, J. Sacred and secular models of psychology and religion. Psychology and christianity: integrative readings pp.

Nashville, TN: Parthenon Press. Entwistle, D. Integrative approaches to psychology and christianity: an introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books. Granello, D. Counseling today: foundations of professional identity.

Jeeves, M. Psychology through the eyes of faith. Johnson, E. The three faces of integration. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 30 4 , Nurnberger, Klaus.

Zygon, 45 1 , Orr, M. What is a scientific worldview, and how does it bear on the interplay of science and religion? Zygon, 41 2 , Ripley, Jennifer. Integration of psychology and christianity: Journal of Psychology and Theology, 40 2 , Related Papers. Eastern Orthodox Psychology. By Aleksandar Santrac. Snark or Boojum? Trends in the Integration of Psychology and Christianity. By William Struthers. By Gerrit Glas. What Is Theological about Practical Theology?

By Esther E Acolatse. Download file. Accessed October 26, Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that studies unusual patterns of behavior, emotion and thought, which may or may not be understood as precipitating a mental disorder.

The science. The world is a place marked with essential diversity. In particular, one only has to take world religions as a composite phenomenon to best exemplify the diversified character of human. Judaism and Christianity are both monotheistic religions with a common root in that they share in descent from the patriarch Abraham.

Christianity after all was founded by Jews, and even. By theology, we mean a rational and systematic study of religion. It is an analysis to understand a religious matter. This analysis helps us to understand more truly our religion,. World History AP Christianity and Buddhism are two different religions that developed and spread contemporaneously in. Worldview is a framework of ideas and beliefs is forming a global description through which an individual group or culture watches and interprets word and interacts with.

It is a. The development, spread, and impact of Hinduism on India politically and idealistically is similar to the development, spread and impact of Christianity on Western Europe because politically, both religions were. The writing of Karen Armstrong actually notes the human views of the existence of God in three major designs of religious belief in society today, namely that of Judaism, Christianity,.

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Order original essay sample specially for your assignment needs.