David Hanson

Integration of Psychology and Theology
COUN506-B15

Liberty University

Dr. Wayne Wilson

Spring 2014

Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity

Author – David N. Entwistle

Abstract The book “Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity” by David
Entwistle, is a tightly packed explanation of the relationship between Christianity
(theology) and psychology. Through most of history there has been many a heated debate over these two topics being integrated. Entwistle presents information that shows how the two are both designed by God and that God is the author of all truth (Entwistle,
150). Entwistle attempts to walk the reader through various investigated claims and the tensions that ensue from these arguments. We typically go through life looking through our own lens of how things should be based on our own worldview. How we see things and interpret them are filtered through our limited understanding of the world. “Worldviews function somewhat like eyeglasses” (Ibid, 56). This concept is held to throughout the book. The author wants the reader to understand how people learn and determine their view of truth. Entwistle introduces the term epistemology. This is “an exercise of intellectual virtue” (Ibid, 76). These virtues include honesty, humility, respectfulness, compassion, etc. He points out the necessity of these virtues in order to better help us evaluate ourselves. Entwistle presents his five models of relationship between psychology and theology. These models are first given a lens through which to view this relationship.
The two books of God, as introduced by Francis Bacon, are God’s Word and God’s
Works. These two books, the Bible and creation, are our two sources of truth (Ibid, 136).
Each of the aforementioned models are examined through the lens of these two books. A problem arises when either side (psychology or theology) is unwilling or unable to see truth in both areas, not just one. These are known as Enemies. Entwistle refers to Spies, they use religion for the purposes of examining the effects it has on people, but don’t help the client pursue religion. Then there is the
Neutral party; they examine both sides’ information and use what they feel is appropriate in their setting. The Colonialist sees everything through the Book of God’s Word as superior to the Book of God’s Work (Ibid, 189). The last of the models is Allies. The Allies model “recognizes that all truth is known by God, who is sovereign over all things. It acknowledges that various methods can be used to learn about the world in general, and human beings in particular” (Ibid, 147). Entwistle’s approach is pretty simple. He wants the reader to understand proper integration. The reader should proceed down the road of integration with an open mind.
Open to the revelation of the Spirit and the revealed knowledge already available. The reader should be cautious as well of the research that does not mesh together with the two books of God. If there is a discrepancy on either side, the research should be scrapped or re-investigated. Everything must be seen through the Word of God and the Works of
God.
Concrete Responses This is the first book I read on the idea of integrating psychology and theology. I never gave it any thought that psychology would have anything worthwhile to add to
God’s Word. However, I have had my eyes opened to a whole new area of life. The concept of the 2 books that we looked at were a bit of a mind blowing event. For some reason I just never saw God’s Work as something I should have been including in my helping others. I was of the camp of John Adam’s, but not by choice, more by default. I grew up in a conservative home and at the age of fifteen my parents became missionaries.
After being on the field for thirteen years my dad had to retire as he was experiencing a nervous breakdown. My mom was very instrumental in helping my dad get back on his feet. His approach was I need to see a medical professional for medicine. My mom thought that was reasonable and they spent two to three years chasing after doctors and medicine. In the meantime my mom spent a lot of time in prayer over this matter and then asked my dad to slowly go off his medicine and to let her spend time with him in the
Word and in prayer every day. My mom is by no means a psychologist, but after a number of months of my dad talking through the things he had to endure on the mission field with little to no help and thinking he had to do “everything” for God, and my mom and he spending lots of time in prayer and reading the Bible, my dad was completely over his depression. It was really an amazing transformation. Reading through this book by Entwistle and putting this ordeal into perspective with my dad has opened my eyes up and allowed me to see so many new opportunities that I otherwise would have been blind to.
Reflection
The most positive thing I am taking away from this book is that a true integrative approach to psychology and theology is attainable. I believe it is not going to be satisfactory to all, however with the models presented by Entwistle and other integrationists, I believe that a balanced approach will be presented to those clients that have agreed to or are looking for a biblical therapy session. A negative aspect of this whole approach is going to be the actual overcoming of the closed minds to religion and what the Bible has to offer. The idea of creation for example, is a hurdle of tremendous size for the average secular counselor. There are many obstacles to avoid simply by observing all the historical battles and prejudice. The one thing I disagree with (to a certain degree) from this book is the idea that
Entwistle seems to put research from man’s point of view on the same level as the interpretation of Scripture. I am not completely convinced that if we come to a difference between what the Bible says and what man says, that we need to do more research. I do believe there will be areas in our lives and situations will arise where we will have to put the Bible above man’s perspective. I am not sure that the Colonialists have it wrong.
Maybe they are too quick to not look a little deeper at the situation, but again, I think above all, the Word of God is the final authority. The “book” of God’s Works is still vitally important to me, I just think I have much more research to do in order to possibly put it on the same playing field as the Bible itself.
Action
I definitely plan to do more reading and research according to some of the papers and books written by the men and women mentioned in Entwistle’s book. I would like to do more investigating deeper into the findings of the people that are in each of the camps or models that we briefly looked at through this book. I do not at the present have a counseling practice per se, but as a youth pastor I have uncovered a number of principles that I will look to incorporate in my teachings as well as my “one on one” time with the students. The idea of digging deeper into the design of the human mind and looking much deeper at what makes a person tick, is very appealing. I believe that will open up many more avenues for me to be able to better help my students through the everyday rigors of life. The students of today deal with so much more on a regular basis than I ever had to as a teen. Understanding them for who they are just because of where they are in a natural state of development will help me relate more to them. This will assist me in being able to hear them from a cognitive behavioral side that I never was able to see. I did not even know this side existed. The possibilities really are endless, however, there are many prejudices and old traditional ideas that need to be overcome. I would like to end on this note, that “the integration of psychology and Christian- ity is a multi-faceted attempt to discern the underlying truths about the nature and functioning of human beings from the unique vantage point of psychology and
Christianity” (Entwistle, 2010. p.218)

References

Entwistle, D. N. (2010). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity. Eugene,
Oregon: Cascade Books.