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Michelle GoodMan
4MATreview.edited2.docxRunning Head: 4MAT REVIEW 1
4MAT REVIEW 2
4MAT review
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4MAT review according to the Entwistle textbook
Abstract
David N wrote the Entwistle textbook in the year 2010. The book has brought about a clear picture of Christianity and the psychological approach and other issues of concern around the world (Entwistle, 2015).
This book is all about the difference between science and theology and how they affect the lives of human beings. People have different mindsets about nature and it is okay for people to believe what they believe because they have the right to. Science have greatly helped in understanding nature and conserving nature, while Christianity have greatly shaped people’s faith, giving them a reason for life. The author has brought up an understanding of the human mindset and developed skills which can be used for counselling and helping those people who might have lost hope in life due to challenges in life. He has also tried to explain much about the bible and the verses in the bible. there is also much explanation that has been made on science. Experiments have been done by the scientists and proven so many natural occurring which the bible has not been able to prove. This shows that both science and the Christianity have strengths and weaknesses which have remain unproven (O'Neill-Blackwell, 2012).
Summary
The psychologists do not believe in the existence of any god as they say that the world consists of matter which is in motion. The matter is something that human beings can be able to feel and touch. The heavenly bodies and the landforms which are not humanmade are said to be there as a result of science. Scientific reactions are said to cause changes in climatic conditions on the world and the occurrence of day and night. Scientists have been doing research and coming up with methods of making the world a more excellent place for human beings because they believe to be responsible for even the existence of the world (O'Neill-Blackwell, 2012).
The theologist believes in the bible and the stories that are in the bible. In the bible, there is a supernatural power called God and is believed to have created the world and all the things that are in it. God is to be worshipped by all the people as a superior power who can do anything to a human being because he is the creator. Christianity is the religion that was introduced by the theologist, and they have to go to worship God on a specific day. Sin is forbidden in the bible as it is regarded as immoral, and it makes God angry. This is, therefore, punishable or forgiven by God. The Bible brings out God as a jealous God who does not want any other god to be worshipped other than him (McCarthy & McCarthy, 2006).
David N has made people understand the meaning of science and the essence of having both science and religion on people’s lives. This book is all about the difference between science and theology and how they affect the lives of human beings. People have different mindsets about nature and it is okay for people to believe what they believe because they have the right to. Science have greatly helped in understanding nature and conserving nature, while Christianity have greatly shaped people’s faith, giving them a reason for life. The author has brought up an understanding of the human mindset and developed skills which can be used for counselling and helping those people who might have lost hope in life due to challenges in life. He has also tried to explain much about the bible and the verses in the bible. there is also much explanation that has been made on science. Experiments have been done by the scientists and proven so many natural occurring which the bible has not been able to prove. This shows that both science and the Christianity have strengths and weaknesses which have remain unproven (O'Neill-Blackwell, 2012).
Christianity is described as having impacted the history of many communities as they believe in the existence of God to whom they pray to for help. Even though the differences believes between the theologist and the scientist, they still live together as one in the same world. They are all able to support the balance by the use of information both from the bible and from the scientific view. They have been able to ensure survival for both plants and animals in the world, ensuring that the interaction between the two brings out the balance. People are not forced into either Christianity or subjective belief but can decide on what to believe as they continue getting well informed on both sides (O'Neill-Blackwell, 2012).
Concrete responses
I wholeheartedly believe in the theological believes which are focused on the bible. Christianity has helped me as an individual in life as I have had an experience where only my faith and strength could work out. I had a brain tumor, and my family and I were supposed to decide whether an operation can be done on me, or they leave me till my death time arrives. This had put us in a dilemma as there were so many cases reported of people who had died during the operation. I had to have faith as the bible says that "faith without action is dead" for me to undergo the operation. I need to have faith that I would come out of the operation room and live a healthy life again. I also needed strength to face the task that was ahead of me. The verses in the Bible encouraged me to undergo the operation. So, I underwent the operation, and to God's grace, everything was a success (Entwistle, 2001).
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This is why i always believe in the existence of God according to the Christian religion. The scientific side might have been used for the operation to take place, but the reason for the success was believing in God because people have been operated and died during the process. Even though the scientific side has really helped in the well being of people, it is still important to have a religion that you believe in. this is because when one does not believe in any religion, you might end up having something negative which will fill the gap. The thing might be worshipping idle gods or devil worshipping. Religions has shaped our communities and ensured morality in peoples lives due to the strong believe that immorality is a sin and God does not approve it. A community without religion might suffer so many immoralities such as rape, theft and even killings. There is therefore need to balance between science and Christianity to make the lives of people better (McCarthy & McCarthy, 2006).
Reflection
David N has reflected on how well people have been living, even though they don't believe in the same thing. The good thing is that they even work together to improve the lives of people in the world. David N does not tell us where the bible, which the Christians base they believe in came from. That might be the reason why scientists do not believe in the existence of God or any religion. That is one of the weaknesses in the book because we expect to know who wrote the book and when exactly it was written. The book also has some strengths that cannot be compared to other books that write on the same thing (O'Neill-Blackwell, 2012).
The writer can use some verses from the bible to show what the bible requires from the Christians. He also reflects on the importance of each of the two believes as both have helped in the shaping of the earth and maintenance of the ecosystem. The writer tries to bring out a method that could be used to help integrative aspects in human being. Counselling is a method that can be used in encouraging the well being of human being. Counselling sessions are being carried out in many institutions to help human beings decide on which side believe in. everything about the scientific side is taught and also theology is taught for people to understand (Entwistle, 2015).
Theological interaction
This part is supposed to answer the question of how the book Entwistle might benefit me in the future and the lessons that I have learned from the book. Learning about psychology has equipped me with the knowledge that it's not right to say that scientists are devil worshippers. It's only that they don't believe in supernatural beings as they believe in science. They can not go ahead worshipping a God that you don't know whether he exists. This will help me in my future as I can now be able to teach the difference between theology and psychology and give my view of the two. My Christian faith has also been strengthened because I know to gain much knowledge about God (Entwistle, 2001).
The religious side is important in people’s lives as they ensure that people are able to know what is right and what is wrong. God being a superior power has the ability to forgive human being and nothing is seen to be impossible in his eyes. This knowledge has therefore strengthened my believe in God as any problem that is presented to him seem to go well. The bible proves that God is the creator living and non-living things and therefore is in control of all the creatures. This is what has kept people moving knowing that there is some one who is always there to help them in case of any problem (O'Neill-Blackwell, 2012).
The psychological believe has also been important in people’s lives as it has been used in hospitals to do treatments and operating the patients who needs to be operated. Although it is a good thing to believe in God, there is also need to help yourself the best way you can. This is the reason why theologists still go to hospital for treatment despite the fact that the bible says that God has the ability to heal. God is said to have healed several people in the bible. Science is still needed in people’s lives as they require science for treatments and making medicines which the doctors prove to be working on the health of human being. The lives of human being would have been very short if science was not there because sick people would be dying having no knowledge on what is supposed to be done (Entwistle, 2001).
The writer brings out the branches of psychology which include educational psychology, developmental psychology social psychology and personality psychology. All these branches of psychology have importance in the lives of human beings. The educational psychology help students in pursue their education and some even learn psychology as a course on which their careers depend on. The developmental psychology enabled personal development and development of where one is living. Social and personality psychology ensure that you are able to live well with other people and also helps in improving personality (McCarthy & McCarthy, 2006).
There are also people who study theology as a career course which they are determined to work on for the rest of their lives. There are also people who are very much committed to the religion such that they can’t even get married as they believe to have been married by the church. For one to believe in theology, you must be a person of great faith and commitment as you much believe without having any doubt. Religions has shaped our communities and ensured morality in people’s lives due to the strong believe that immorality is a sin and God does not approve it. A community without religion might suffer so many immoralities which might even lead to a community diminishing because people will be taking other people’s lives and go unpunished. There is therefore need to balance between science and Christianity to make the lives of people better (Entwistle, 2001).
Action
The book has used some verses from the bible to show what the bible requires from the Christians. He also reflects on the importance of each of the two believes as both have helped in the shaping of the earth and maintenance of the ecosystem. The writer tries to bring out a method that could be used to help integrative aspects in human being. Counselling is a method that can be used in encouraging the well-being of human being. Counselling sessions are being carried out in many institutions to help human beings decide on which side believe in. Everything about the scientific side is taught and also theology is taught for people to understand. This will help my life greatly as I will always be able to get counselling when I am low and will ensure that I am always motivated (McCarthy & McCarthy, 2006).
References
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of Integration (3rd ed.). Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Entwistle, K. M. (2001). Basic principles of the finite element method. Maney Pub.
McCarthy, B., & McCarthy, D. (2006). Teaching around the 4MAT® cycle: Designing instruction for diverse learners with diverse learning styles. Corwin Press.
O'Neill-Blackwell, J. (2012). Engage The trainer's guide to learning styles. John Wiley & Sons.
