Discussion Replies Week 3

PACO 506

Integration of Psychology and Theology

Week 4

Student Discussion Board #2

Replies: Reply to 2 classmates, adding substantive thoughts to the threads. Offer areas in which you relate/agree or critically disagree. Utilize the Entwistle text and any outside scholarly sources (a minimum of one reference) to integrate your reflections. Remember to practice “netiquette” as you collaboratively learn together.

Adhere to the correct writing style format for in-text citations and references.

Replies of at least 200 words each to your classmates’ threads (with at least one reference). Citations and references must be written in the correct writing style format.

La Toya Maddox

It is my belief that this statement is a clear and fundamental depiction of how most people were raised in the mindset of traditional church. Mainly, one of the first Scriptures I ever read to understand the purpose of being "born again" was in Romans 3:23 where it states, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Basically, my kinfolk would say, 'you were born a sinner, and better hurry up and get saved before you die one!' In other words, the idea that all men are sinners, can relate to like sinners, and only do sinful things is the foundation of said quote. Explicitly, the quote indicates that only one of a sinful nature can relate to another of the same character, or the lack thereof, in a manner of perspective, form, fashion and overall nature.

If I had to pick a theory that best identifies with this theology, it would be the Allies model. Modeling is important in the explanation of this statement because it further demonstrates a stance and resolve on the subject matter. Moreover, chapter 8 in Entwistle's (2015) text declares "without models our ability to understand our world would be severely limited." Notably, the Allies model is based upon the concept of God's total autonomy over the world. David wrote in Psalms 24:1, "the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." A Scripture that totally and profoundly captures the overall understanding of this model. Again, I do not fully agree with the statement however, I can fully grasp its perspective nature. The idea that all of us were born into sin, have experience in sin to relate to one another on a psychological level because we were born into it and live it, yet through God we can become anew (Corinthians 5:17); defines the quote while providing a model to explore the thought of newness beyond said sin and sinfulness.

Student Discussion Board #2

Patrick Thurman

Models of Integragation

It has been said “Psychology is just sinful human beings sinfully thinking about other sinful human beings.” Psychology and theology attempt to understand human nature and this question deals with a fundamental idea. Is this statement contrary to logic, empiricism, psychological theory, psychological science, and Christian theology? Is there a model based on Entwistle (2015) that integrates psychology and religion that would agree with this this idea?

The “Allies” model states, “God is the author of all truth, and all things are “by him, for him” and “hold together” in Him.” Entwistle (2015, p. 184) This model sees psychology and theology as separate disciplines. However, both are “dependent on human thinking, and to the degree that human thinking is errant, our psychological and theological conclusions can be wrong.” (Entwistle, 2015, p. 184) This is where the “Allies” model and the opening statement on sin begin to intersect. According to Entwistle (2015, p. 96), “All of us begin with worldview beliefs that shape the way we respond to the world, are raised in cultures that mold our thinking through education and everyday experience, and suffer the effects of mind that finite, frail, and fall, we must conclude that human beings can never eliminate all error from our thinking.” In the book of Romans, chapter three, verse twenty-three it says, “For all of sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The Bible establishes the truth that everyone has sin in their lives and lives with the effects of sin. “Theologians use the phrase the noetic effects of sin to describe ways that sin distorts human thinking.” (Entwistle, 2015, p. 95). Sin skews our thinking. Sin not only affects us as individuals but is also culturally embedded affecting the world around us. With this in mind you can make a strong case that the part of the opening statement that says, “sinful human beings thinking about other sinful human beings” is correct.

There is one word within the opening statement that makes me disagree with it. The word is “just”, and it seems to indicate that psychology is no more than just sinful human beings thinking about other sinful human beings. I do not believe this is “just” what is going on when working with the discipline of psychology. I believe there is much more happening than this overly simplistic statement. In Nichols (2017, p. 39), “We may not want to admit it, but we’re more sinful that we ever imagined, but because of Christ, we’re more loved than we ever dared hope.” Due to Christ love for us we are covered by grace and being restored in every way. Yes, we have sin, and our sin skews are thinking. However, due to God’s grace our minds are enlightened by His truth. Our minds are being renewed and our mind, imagination, and thoughts are conformed to the mind of Christ. I was very close to favoring the “Rebuilders” model due to the belief that Christ is the Lord of psychology and we are being transformed into the kinds of people God desires us to be. The reason I did not choose it is because the primary aim is soul care. The primary aim for the “Allies” model is “to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, including studying the books of His works and the book of His word.” Entwistle (2015, p. 184) I believe doing this will help accomplish the goal of proper integration between psychology and theology while praising God with all of our being.