Biblical counseling has been described in my studies as the work and action of discipleship. 1 A Brief History of Christians in Psychology Eric L. Johnson F ollowers of God have always been interested in his creation. Furthermore, there has been some scholarly work done in the area of Christian and psychological integration but, it has not been well received and has had little impact on scientific psychology (Bishop, 2009). Roberts inquires from Gary R. Collins in the course of their discussion on integration, “About psychology and Christianity, which is the system and which supplies element?” Our job is to create an atmosphere where they feel safe and secure in the midst of sometimes overpowering personal feelings, emotions and new realities. I believe that I have outlined the manner in which positive integration on our own terms could be established which is through Tan’s description of purposeful mentoring and personal relationships with professors and therapists with significant understanding and spiritual maturity. Nowhere in scripture is mentioned any type of forced giving or anything but an individual’s redemption through Christ whereas social justice calls for group or wholesale redemption through the redistribution of wealth and opportunity. This view points out that psychology-that is, critical reflection on “human psychic well-being and dysfunction” (150)-is ancient, not modern, in origin. Humans are rational beings, and psychology and theology draw on this capacity for reason. Peter the apostle said, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him Who called us” (2 Peter 1 :3 New International Version). Why should my family suffer for the deeds of both black and white slave traders and owners and what they did hundreds of years ago? The Prevalence of Anxiety and its Part in Psychological Disorders, Anxiety is a symptom of fearfulness and the antithesis of fear is love. All types of resistance are a likely possibility but, once we get to the point where a true therapeutic relationship has been built we can be of more influence and are more likely to incorporate the reading of scripture and discussions about biblical themes more readily. He contrasts the plight of Nebuchadnezzar who became ill because of his uncalled-for refusal to obey God’s commands and Job who was an upright man who was seemingly afflicted for reasons outside of his influence. We must exert our authority and political power as one of the largest groups to ensure the proper counseling and training of Christian families and individuals everywhere to make sure that counseling and therapy meets the needs of our people. Faith shifts our vision from our own shortcomings and weakness and points us to a power much greater than anything we possess. Christianity and psychology have some things in common: They both state that our actions are the product of inner processes. Approaches to Psychology and Christianity, An Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations and Models of Integration” is a book written by David N. Entwistle that offers insight and awareness to the relationship between psychology and theology. It takes a great deal to get someone to allow themselves to be conformed and that is why the Gospel is so important. God has given us the Word so that we can take part in every good endeavor because we have been prepared for every possibility. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. In the Christian view of life and this world in which we live the problem is sin. Academia.edu is a platform for academics to share research papers. Even Christ taught by using scripture in His ministry so we should also use it as our main tool. The extensive and intentional use of Christian clinical supervisors throughout training enables counselors to develop integration and clinical skills that are Christ-centered, Biblical and well-matched to both Christian and non-believing clients. That means that the answer to anxious behavior is often God because He is love. Faith and Science usually provide different perspectives, assumptions, worldviews, and conclusions that help people in understanding nature. Perhaps, instead, we could say there is a need for reinterpretation as Christians consider the claims made by mainstream psychologists. It is similarly noted that the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer is to teach, guide, convict and comfort depending on the situation. Studies show that the average person has sixty thousand thoughts go through their mind each day. I truly believe that medicine and science are godly pursuits and that God has inspired many of these endeavors for our betterment. But it is understood that all mental and physical disorders are the symptoms of this sinful world regardless of one’s personal responsibility. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? This too is an attack on the Church and a society founded on Biblical principles. 7:14-20). Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. Role of Integration and Multitasking (.) There are other areas of concern like the DSM. The components of our behavior are many and they are multifaceted. Study for free with our range of university lectures! My ancestors did not live here, nor do we currently benefit from our ethnicity so in essence we are being stolen from through supposedly “legal” means. Collins lists many emotions and states like, “anger, lust, jealousy, envy, ambition, impatience, a lack of self-control, orgies, marital infidelity, gluttony, drunkenness, lying, violence, suicide and several other pertinent examples.” Collins goes on to explain that not all mental disorders are the result of sin or poor behavior. He created us to glorify Himself through our life’s walk but we cannot accomplish this without the Gospel message. Never should we place our personal issues or desires before the authority of scripture because scripture leads to sanctification in Christ which is the foundation of our work. Mulholland’s “Shaped By the Word” discusses at length the nature of spiritual formation. (Collins, 2007), The Place of Spiritual Growth in the Healing Process. (Cavanagh & Levitov, 1982/​2002). We are responsible for our behavior regardless of our race, socioeconomic background, or any other affiliation that is often brought up as a justification and excuse for poor conduct. The Bible does not to my knowledge force anyone to make any mental jump or incorrect way of thinking as to endanger themselves. This desire to share our love for Christ allows and even pushes the cycle of discipleship to persist which is the great commission all Christians have been given. What we are trying to do is teach our clients who God is and who they are in relation to Him. Fuller Symposium on the Integration of Psychology and Theology, better known as the Integration Symposium, is an annual lectureship hosted every February by the School of Psychology, featuring a nationally recognized scholar who focuses on a single integrative issue. There are strengths and weaknesses in applying the Integration Model in understanding the values and beliefs between psychology and Christian faith. It appears that the American Psychiatric Association can with little fanfare change deviant activities into mainstream and acceptable behaviors. Free resources to assist you with your university studies! These are just a few examples I have discovered where psychology informs the biblical imperatives. This book states stridently that modern people will likely have a problem with undergoing extensive and time consuming sustained efforts in order to change. It is Christ that allows us to be reconciled back unto God. They believe that there should be a system and sound element for the work of integration (Roberts, 2000, p. 137). Roberts and Watson maintain that there is not one universal psychology, but rather many rival psychologies. Assessment 1 Assessment 1 What does psychology have to do with the Christian faith? God’s Word is found in many of our founding documents and even in the legal writings of this country. Both the arousal and the soothing as the authors describe are necessary depending on the needs of the client. In the third section, Johnson return… Psychology & Christianity: Five Views, edited by Eric L. Johnson. Social justice would seek to take by force that which has been earned so that it could be arbitrarily given to someone else. This approach is a variant of the parallels approach in the Carter & Narramore scheme of things. This leads to issues like moral relativism and flexible standards in societal behaviors. The saved person is able to even look beyond his or her own needs when important decisions need to be made. We are in essence engaging in the action of discipleship. Tagged: psychology, christianity, freud, bible, CER. The Christian psychology view is represented by Robert Roberts and P. J. Watson. The Integrates model has been expounded and defended in The Integration of Psychology and Theology by John D. Carter and Bruce Narramore (Carter & Narramore, 1979). Doctoral student's integration of psychology and Christianity: Perspectives via attachment theory and multidimensional scaling. The unconverted subconscious can play a major role in the spiritual walk of believers. It is important that the development of a theory reflect the ability to integrate psychology and Christianity and the ability to multi-task. This could occur between as little as two believers or many as in the typical church or seminary. There are basic presuppositions like personal responsibility and the effects of the fall of man that need to be considered against the overriding thought and teaching of secular psychological educators and institutions. Excessive levels of fear can lead to the avoidance of common, everyday situations. People with specific phobias experience powerful fear responses to a particular object or situation like spiders, excessive heights, or cramped spaces. It is not as if the Bible does not contain truth that can be used indirectly. Our goal is the Biblical change to our minds which need to be aligned with the Word. We as believers need to stay involved so that the Christian population can remain relevant in social, political and educational circles. A good Christian would simply have the ability to go to Godly precepts and principles found in scripture and work from there as a starting point. The question of Christianity being integrated with psychology is a matter of degrees. Spiritual formation is a process that takes time and is a progression from simple initial belief and faith to a more complex maturity. We want to enable personal changes in holiness and spiritual depth. The godly and holy person is able to be in total command of their behavior unlike the unsaved might expect. The natural or sinful person is going to try and control, or to manipulate everything and everyone around them to better meet their desires and needs. Science is founded on theories and laws, with laws being foundational to ongoing work. We are to walk in faith as we communicate to others the truth that God is the answer to every problem. This allows the counselor to deal with clients in a way that shows “deep concern” and yet guides them in a way that addresses the power and authority of scripture. Whether we realize it or not we are undergoing constant spiritual transformation. This paper forecasts changes to the integration of Psychology and Christianity for the next decade. 10:5). Company Registration No: 4964706. Paul instructs Christians to take every thought captive and make them obedient to Christ (2 Cor. A thief that no longer steals is not a thief anymore. It should be a major force in our day to day lives. In the Bible we can learn about virtue, behavior, and man’s sinful nature. (Adams, 1973/​1986). It is not enough that we only discuss personal facts and feelings. The Author remarks that one of the more difficult truths in spiritual formation is that it is inseparable from our relationships with others. We are all somewhere in the process of teaching and training others and being taught ourselves. The first step in treatment is to decide whether the object of fear is appropriate or not. 28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Because of sin we are not able to navigate life in a way that truly meets every need. Google Scholar Topics have ranged from aging and dementia to what evangelicals can learn from Jung. Psychoanalytic Therapy posits that the patterns that have the greatest impact over our emotions and behavior come from our family of origin. The Bible teaches us to hope which allows us to be changed by our newly formed faith and the workings of the Holt Spirit. That does not mean that Christian counselors cannot utilize medicine or psychology in helping though. Looking for a flexible role? Because of this counseling should give the client a scriptural understanding of their problem. Counseling is real work and we need to make our clients understand this and commit to the assignments and sessions. In the book of Romans, Paul instructs us to no longer conform to the patterns of this world (Rom 12:1). This I believe is the way that we can help enable clients to meet the challenges of this life in a way that glorifies God. There are biological, sociological, cultural and several other drivers of our individual conduct and behavior. in this view, Jones focuses on the integration that exists between psychology and Christianity as … Cavanagh, in “The Counseling Experience” clearly states that an integrated approach to counseling and treatment is more advantageous than just a secularized therapeutic option. Again, this is considered to be a responsible and acceptable way to decide who is going to be referred, or treated, and it allows the counselor to choose a competent professional to send referrals to who is likely a specialist in their field who could assure a positive outcome for the client. Sometimes fear is based in the discomfort that arises as a result of poor behavior or bad decision making which can be directly related to our Christian walk and worldview. If “All truth is God’s truth,” then psychological observation of human emotional and mental processes, and the interventions developed from this observation, can only help us achieve the emotional and relational health we desire and will in no contradict God’s will for our lives. integration between psychology and Christianity. Because of this we need to work with physicians and other specialists when necessary. I offer these as clear examples of the complimentary relationship between biblical truth and psychological interventions. We want our patients to understand that in Jesus Christ their sins are forgiven and that the reason that they have not lived fulfilling lives is that they just did not have the correct direction or motivation. The successful integration of psychology and Christianity has long been a passion of … In the same vein of thought, Oman’s article described the connections between religion, spirituality and social empowerment. Psychology and Christianity, 2007 - Christianity - … (Cavanagh & Levitov,1982/2002) It is important to point out for clarifications sake that all treatments need to be such that they correspond with biblical presuppositions and acceptable methods of treatment and the plausibility of a positive outcome and safety for the client involved. In the second section, five different perspectives on how Christians might interact with modern secular psychology while remaining true to the teachings of Scripture are laid out and critiqued by the contributors. (Matthew 10:26-30 New International Version), Biblical Understanding and Treatment of Mental Illness and Related Issues, Gary R. Collins in “Christian Counseling” explains that the Bible does not explain mental disorders per say but, it does give us a greater understanding about the human condition and man’s situation as a created being. Whether or not a client completely buys into Biblical counseling as an answer to their personal issues is almost immaterial in my view. In Psychology and Christianity: Five Views, by Myers, Jones, Roberts, Watson, Coe, Hall, and Powlison (2010) is an introductory textbook for Christian psychology that provides sound arguments for an array of positions on psychology and faith. Tan reported in his article that the best way to teach Christian and psychological integration was to have, “authentic, open, caring and meaningful mentoring or personal relationship with a professor, a therapist, or some other significant person in the student’s life and training, is the most important and crucial factor in learning and developing integration skills.” He further stated that, “the clinical supervisor is also an example of a person who can be a significant mentor to students in such a way that they learn integration.” Christian clinical supervision facilitates learning and the developing of integration and clinical skills and fosters personal growth that is Christ-centered, Bible-based, and Spirit-filled with the end result being more compatible treatment for Christian clients (Tan, 2009). Currently, we are seeing a growing realization among therapists, both secular and spiritual, that human spirituality is a source of great strength. Simply put, we can live in a state of love towards God and man or, we can live in fear of them because we believe that we are in danger. Understanding, Responding to and Managing Client Resistance to Biblical Strategies. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below: If you are the original writer of this essay and no longer wish to have your work published on UKEssays.com then please: Our academic writing and marking services can help you! First we have to decide what our basis for truth is, and exhaust that until it completely engulfs our way of viewing both the physical and spiritual worlds as well as the behavior of people. Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a university student. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 36, 530 – 548. (Matthew 28:18-20 New International Version). American schools like Harvard and Yale and, England’s Oxford and Cambridge all began as Christian institutions that now teach evolution and atheistic thought specifically. Psychology is a social science which is why it is secular in nature and its integration into Christianity has raised a debate. If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! We do not want or need to completely integrate Christian faith with Psychology but, we dare not stay uninvolved in this area of study or it will be used against us and society will continue to be corrupted. Psychology taken on its own merits is a pseudo-science at best and cannot stand alone on its own virtues as other sciences do. In addition, religion has been found to be a strong forecaster of important life areas and influences beliefs and religious practice. Garzon, F., Hall, E. L., & Ripley, J. S. (2014). All options are considered from medical and physical testing, to psychological assessments that could show a need for the administration of medications or further medical treatments. The author discusses integration a combining the two books of God. The client has to work from their own frame of reference and with the mental and emotional abilities that they currently have. The Gospel is the answer to the sin problem of mankind and scripture is what we will teach with. The end result is that we become more like Jesus. And these two processes are different. According to Entwistle (2004), “the book of god’s Word referred to the Bible, and the book of God’s works reflects His deeds written throughout His creation. We see materialism, power, and the persistent criminal and amoral state of man-made institutions. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 New International Version), Counselors are responsible to their clients and need to do what is expected and what is suitable in their manner of treatment. Utilizing psychoanalytic therapy can help us gain understanding how our experiences during childhood impact our emotional and relational health and help change these patterns that limit or control our behavior. It should create clarity of the scriptures in regards to the problem at hand and it’s resolution. Science and belief in God are not antithetical but, many believe that they are. Integrative Approaches Of Psychology And Christianity 1495 Words | 6 Pages. He has given us the Bible to study, the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us, and of course His Son to save our souls so that we can be redeemed back unto Him. The counselor is expected to cultivate working professional relationships with physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists and religious leaders among others. They would have to avoid the issue altogether or tear down the belief itself. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Secular or worldly counselors and psychology do not have any kind of stable or consistent measure by which to gage behavior or morality. Religion has been a primary driver of emerging social-movements and their success especially where the reality of good and evil forces are described in a culturally relevant way (Oman, 2003). Copyright © 2003 - 2020 - UKEssays is a trading name of All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. Because of this, godly men and women make brilliant leaders, parents, teachers, and of course helpers. The focus of the paper is on proposals to address six trends that are seen as hope for the future of the integrationist movement: the healthcare crisis, education, research, application, global networks and … We also can see that God has made a way for us to avoid the ultimate punishment for sin through the Gospel message and that believers in the Church are to care for those with all manner of illness or need. In this light, the present paper will examine an approach to relating biblical Christianity and psychology called the Integrates model. Our actions all have consequences and sometimes the punishments that result from them. The intensity of panic is typically inappropriate to the actual level of danger and is acknowledged by the client being unreasonable or irrational. This is not an example of the work produced by our Essay Writing Service. The spiritual component of human experience is recognized as a viable source of inspiration and strength to produce change. Integration of Psychology and Theology/Christianity 1) Describe how you integrate psychology with theology/Christianity, both in theory and practice. In this book, the author, DN Entwistle, discusses integration as a combining the two books of God. This book tells about the integrating Christianity and psychology. Truly there is a time to be still but, there is also a time to act on our new insights and the new personality we have acquired. Unlike the vague and transitory nature of medical and psychological theories, God has given us clearly stated standards from which to assess our lives and our behaviors in the scriptures. I loved that this book provided 5 different psychology and Christianity integration models by 5 different authors then allowed the Authors to critique each other's views. Let me illustrate with a few examples. Journal Of Psychology & Theology, 42(2), 131-135. Narrative therapists encourage clients to see themselves, not as victims or flawed, but as separate from their problems. Secular psychology and the other sciences would seek to over time remake Christian thought into their own image where Christianity and Christian scholarship is merely philosophical and not a true belief system or an opportunity to actually know God. That is a justifiable fear where I hunt whereas the fear of mice or a typical spider is not legitimate. 4:8). Psychology: Integration of Psychology and Theology (RSTP) RSTP 500 - Psychotherapy and Religion Credit 1. Tarakeshwar argued that religion should be fully integrated into psychological research since religious belief holds a large role in people’s lives regardless of their culture. I think that integrating Christianity and psychology can benefit a Christian client by allowing us to address spiritual matters and use spiritual techniques for healing. 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