Integrative Approaches To Psychology And Christianity Entwistle Summary

In Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity by David N. Entwistle, Entwistle explores the relationship between psychology and theology. He provides a comprehensive examination of the integration of the two subjects. Academics have either disputed or supported the integration of the two viewpoints. Entwistle assesses their assertions and the pressures that ascend from their opinions. Entwistle presented an exceptional view. He stated “The interaction of psychology and theology is virtually inevitable due to their mutual interest in understanding the ambiguities and mysteries of human behavior, and healing human brokenness” (Entwistle, 2010, p. 51). Entwistle’s statement established the premise for the remainder of the book: the
Entwistle builds five models of relationship between psychology and theology. Those five models are enemies, spies, colonialists, neutral parties, and allies. Enemies are opposed to integration and see the two disciplines as mutually exclusive. Enemies could be either secular or Christian. The secular combatants are hostile toward religious belief whereas the Christian combatants see psychology as the enemy. Another model of disciplinary relationship is spies. Foreign spies are comprised of individuals of religious or Christian faith that have a satisfactory background in psychology but are only concerned with the “benefits of their own religious system” (Entwistle, 2010, p. 182). Domestic resident spies involve someone of a secular disposition examining the effects of faith on a person. The third model is colonists. Colonists accept and reject select psychological findings to support their research while remaining skeptical and relatively unfamiliar with the discipline. Neutral parties are impervious to both the secular and Christian arguments for integration. They maintain science and Christianity should be segregated (Entwistle 2010). Neutral parties separate the two disciplines while respecting and evaluating material acquired in each. Allies concede that all truth is God’s truth. They seek to integrate truth from both disciplines to gain a more holistic and unified understanding of truth
The word of God is what speaks to Christians. Integration starts first with the Bible, which is essentially the most important part of being a Christian counselor (Entwistle, 2010). However, a therapist is licensed by the state and bound by a different code of ethics than that of some of these more religious counselors. Typically, a licensed counselor can accept abortion, divorce, and homosexuality, but can these Christian or other religious counselors who are practicing under the Church? I believe that as counselors, we must conform to the client’s needs to be productive counselors, regardless of what our beliefs may be. I think this is necessary for a Christian counselor to be able to practice in a secular atmosphere. A counselor needs to be clear as well as transparent when it comes to disclosing their personal beliefs. Challenges that a counselor can sometimes face with a biblical and psychosocial integration are that some churches still believe it is unacceptable to have certain problems, and that it takes a mere decision to overcome any deficiencies. In a sterile environment, where the administration is “politically-correct,” a Christian counselor could be challenged in what techniques and skills can be used when helping others. Spirit-guided or biblical beliefs may not be warranted in such