4MAT Review 1

Running head: 4MAT BOOK SUMMARY 1

4MAT BOOK SUMMARY 6

Cynthia Smalls

4MAT Book Summary: Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity

Liberty University

Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity

David N. Entwistle

4MAT Summary

Entwistle (2010) captures the essence and nuances of worldviews, philosophies and methodologies necessary to develop an integrative approach to psychology and theology. The book’s introduction laid the foundational bases of how one-sided a view can be when it only has one perspective to glean from. Entwistle (2010) builds on that foundation by providing a historical dichotomy of faith and science. This book does a magnificent job revealing the connections between psychology (science) and theology (faith) and promotes a collaborative and strategic approach of integration for providing a more comprehensive method of diagnoses and treatment for clinical disorders.

Entwistle (2010) delves into the multifaceted controversial dialogue that has taken place between scientists and theologians for centuries that, ironically, correlates with each other in that both have similar quests for knowledge and seek to obtain relatively the same outcomes. The book identifies worldviews as a major component promoting prohibitive perspectives regarding integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity (Entwistle, 2010). Additionally, the author explores a variety of worldviews and describes consequences surrounding them, as well as the foundational epistemology of truth, how this information is processed and how resulting perspectives are formed in favor of, or against the arguments of integration.

The author describes Christianity as having had the greatest impact on historical world events and cites numerous scripture references throughout the book to expound on specific points. Nevertheless, Entwistle (2010) warns that the biblical perspective alone is an incomplete view and limits a true global and unbiased formulation of truth in its purest form. He attempts to help the readers understand that no one has an untainted perspective regardless to how much knowledge one gains; simply because our finite minds are limited as human begins and incapable of flawless decision-making despite our efforts. Along with this discourse, Entwistle (2010) provides further validations supporting the necessity of integrative perspectives in closing the gaps between psychology and Christianity to formulate more substantiate outcomes in treatments.

Although theology and psychology have foundational differences, Entwistle (2010) is able to present fundamental correlations between the two. The book gives clear depictions of the natures of the world and humanity in supporting a balance from the biblical and scientific philosophical vantage points.

In the final chapters of this book Entwistle (2010) embarks on discussions involving several methodologies associated with framing perspectives and the effects they have on integration. The book defines such models as: “Enemies, Spies, Colonialists, Neutral Parties and Allies” (Entwistle, 2010, p135). Each model is representative of a relationship model and useful for gaining further knowledge, understanding and interpretation of reasoning processes that promote or further limit the integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity.

The Enemies’ model is antagonistic in nature and concludes that psychology and theology are at odds; the Spies’ model is open to using whatever means necessary to aid in healing; the Colonialists’ model uses psychology only to support Christian beliefs; the Neutralists Parties model focuses on the similarities between psychology and theology and the Allies model places both psychology and theology on the same level and subject to God’s sovereignty (Entwistle, 2010, pp. 137, 142, 145, 146, & 148).

4 MAT Concrete Responses

I shared my salvation experience with a neighbor who I viewed as a Christian. My assessment was based on the way she dressed and the church she attended. We never had much of a conversation prior; especially about her faith. I immediately recognized her lack excitement despite the fact that she said she was happy for me.

A couple of weeks passed and I was out mowing my grass when she and her daughter pulled up into their driveway next door to my home. When she got out of the car she did something she never did before; she came over to greet me. I was really pleased that she now wanted to talk to me. When she approached me she said that her daughter thought I was a man cutting my grass because I had on pants. She said she explained to her daughter that I was a new Christian and needed to be told about dressing like a Christian woman. She told me that women who are Christians should not wear pants, makeup and jewelry (other than a wedding ring and watch). That was the most deflating conversation I had since my new walk of faith in Jesus Christ began. I became depressed and would hide form them whenever I was wearing pants, makeup and jewelry. I began to question my commitment to Christianity. The worldview of my neighbor was a very legalistic one as it pertained to walking in sanctification. In her religious beliefs, if I was truly a Christian, I needed to show an outward sign of walking away from anything that would keep me looking like others in the world in order to prove my new walk.

An integrative approach to Christianity and psychology would have been useful to both her and me. I felt unworthy by her comments and was emotionally crushed. She made me feel that she was a better Christian and closer to God than me because of her choice to dress and look a certain way. What Entwistle (2010) describes in the text about The Fork in the Road, is reflective of my neighbor’s view. Her perspective was tainted by her worldview of Christianity.

4MAT Reflection

My questions for the author:

1. What are the primary ethical issues that could arise in the Christian Counseling Profession?

2. How would a counselor who does not market their practice as a Christian Counseling Profession integrate biblical aspects into the treatment of clients?

3. Is there a particular area of counseling that would benefit more from the integration of psychology and Christianity than others, and why?

This book is full of terms, ideas, and methods for approaching an integrative outlook to counseling. I was able to stretch my own worldviews about this particular integrative approach to counseling. I was never opposed to the concept, but would not have approached the matter from as many viewpoints as the book projected simply because the topic of integration, as well as, this field of study is new to me. I gained an increased knowledge of concepts while reading about the integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity that actually appealed to me and specifically aligns with what I would like to accomplish in my ministry.

One of the things that I found challenging about this book was the incredible use of terms that I had difficulty understanding without using external resources for gaining a better understanding to make connections from one section to another.

Overall this text was very insightful and I would recommend it to someone with an established background in integrative approaches to Christian counseling or to someone who has had prior coursework in the field, but not to another novice like myself.

4MAT Action

In my future ministry endeavors, I plan to use this book as a resource along with God’s Word to put into practice the integrative approaches to counseling outlined by Entwistle (2010). As the result of reading this book, I am convinced that the integration of psychology and theology provides a more complete source of treatment for clients.

I will work to improve my worldview so that I can be as open-minded as possible to alternative approaches to healing along with my religious beliefs and faith in God. However, as foundational bases for my ministry, I will continue to rely primarily on biblical principles, prayer and the sovereignty of God to help me as I work to aid humanity in healing.

Additionally, I will serve my clients with a sense of humility and honor as I would serve God. I will allow myself to be as transparent as possible in sharing my personal experiences with my clients in order to build a sense of trust, and hope.

I will practice my ministry in the spirit of love with empathy and compassion for my clients. I will foster a sense of trust by always being truthful and presenting treatment plans that are in the best interest of the clients; keeping in mind that whatever I do for my clients, I should do as unto the Lord as told to us in Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV).

Reference

Entwistle, D. N. (2010). Integrative approaches to psychology and christianity: An introduction

to worldview issues, philosophical foundations and models of integration. (2nd ed.)

Eugene, OR: Cascade Books.

Holy Bible Online. http://www.holybible.com. Accessed September 5, 2014.