David N. Entwistle explores the significance of integrating psychology and Christianity in his book “Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity.” He addresses worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration, acknowledging the challenges involved. Alongside secular jobs such as psychologists or counselors, there are ministry jobs available.
Entwistle argues that individuals possess distinct abilities given by God, which should be used to serve Him and others. He also stresses that all truth comes from God. As a result, how someone integrates or separates these ideas is influenced by their worldview. A person’s worldview includes their perception of the world and the assumptions they have about it. It also shapes how they understand their experiences and develop expectations (Entwistle, 2010).
The truthfulness of assumptions varies, as worldviews are shaped by family, religion, education, media, and society. The process of integration can commence by establishing a Christian worldview that encompasses creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. Both psychology and theology share an interest in understanding human behavior and aiding in the healing process; however, they employ distinct assumptions, methods, and objectives (Entwistle 2010). Psychology primarily seeks natural explanations for occurrences.
Psychologists utilize empirical evidence and reasoning to formulate theories and analyze data, but their conclusions are inevitably influenced by their worldview. Christians seek both natural and supernatural explanations for events, grounding their theology in concepts such as creation, sin, grace, redemption, and revelation. They gain knowledge through interpreting Scripture, while other disciplines such as philosophy, linguistics, history, and archaeology aid in understanding it. Entwistle references Francis Bacon’s concept of two books: the book of God’s Word (the Bible) and the book of God’s Works (creation), both viewed as sources of truth. The integration of theology and psychology is explored through five differing perspectives on how these two books inform each other. One extreme is the “Enemies” model which perceives theology and psychology to be mutually exclusive, relying on one book alone for truth. Conversely, the “Spies” model selectively takes from religion what benefits psychology and may engage in a diluted form of religious practices solely for psychological advantages (Entwistle, 2010).
Colonists acknowledge the value of psychology, although they lack familiarity with its principles. They incorporate elements of psychology into their theological framework to align it with their beliefs. On the other hand, neutral parties impartially evaluate and draw parallels between psychology and theology. They understand that ultimate truth belongs to God, who reigns over everything. Allies recognize the significance of a person’s worldview and prioritize the development of a Christian perspective. They strive for truth by examining insights from both fields. In the concluding chapters of his book, Entwistle addresses challenges hindering integration and proposes strategies to overcome them.
In this text, the author discusses various topics such as integration and theory, integration and research, integration and psychotherapy, professional ethics, workplace environments, and religious based interventions. Additionally, the author emphasizes that despite the challenges of integrating these concepts, it is a highly rewarding endeavor that should be undertaken in honor of Christ.
The act of reading this book brought to mind my decision to enroll at Liberty University. At 37 years old, I made the choice to return to school and complete my Bachelor’s degree in accounting that I had started many years ago. I conducted extensive research on different schools, explored options for financial aid, and checked if any of my prior classes were still eligible for transfer credit.
During my research, it became apparent that something was amiss. My intuition warned me against continuing in my current field of study. To gain clarity, I decided to pray and contemplate my true desires. It became clear that I wanted a career where I could help others and utilize my personal experiences for a meaningful impact.
Seeking counsel from my mother and close friend, both suggested counseling as a suitable path for me. However, there was one condition – I desired an educational institution with Christian values offering psychology Bachelor’s degrees and counseling Master’s degrees; unfortunately, I wasn’t aware of any such place.
Miraculously, fate intervened when I met someone studying psychology at Liberty University who enthusiastically shared their knowledge about the institution’s online courses. Intrigued by their account, I promptly visited Liberty’s website and submitted my application that very day.
A few weeks later, classes began without hesitation or doubt that this was the path intended for me by God. Deep down, I believed it was possible to combine a psychology Bachelor’s degree with Christian principles; all I needed was guidance towards the right direction.
Reflecting on my journey fills me with immense gratitude for God’s guidance and the opportunities presented to me.
As I read this book, I pondered ways to inspire individuals to reflect on their worldviews. It is evident that each person possesses a distinct perspective; some are hopeful, while others are influenced by misinformation. Entwistle highlights in his book that we instinctively believe our assumptions are accurate. To assist individuals in correcting their misunderstandings and false knowledge, it is crucial to approach them without causing offense. I felt let down by the fact that Entwistle did not extensively explore the application of integration in counseling.
The majority of the text focuses on the significance of informed consent, with only a brief mention of other relevant topics. While recognizing its importance, I believe a few sentences would have been enough. Furthermore, giving more attention to reflecting on one’s own worldview is crucial for integration. Another concern arises from the limited discussion on ethics and workplace environments, without sufficient guidance on integrating personal beliefs in situations where sharing them with clients is restricted due to workplace policies.
This information can be incredibly useful for Christian psychologists who often find themselves in a challenging position. My first step is to examine any assumptions I may have. Being a Christian does not exempt me from misunderstandings. Additionally, I plan to pursue further theological courses to enhance the knowledge I have gained at Liberty. By doing so, I increase the likelihood of effectively advocating for the integration of theology and psychology. Moreover, this will prove valuable when counseling individuals who may be experiencing anger.
God and Scripture have been misinterpreted, causing harm to individuals. This harm can be exacerbated when counselors wrongly interpret Scripture while working with someone who already has anger stemming from misinterpretation. To prevent this, my plan is to enhance my theological knowledge so that I can successfully incorporate both aspects.
References: Entwistle, D. N. (2010) Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration (2nd Ed. ) Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers
