COUC 506 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Enwistle Review Assignment.2022.pdf

Entwistle Review Assignment

Princess Batsavage-LoNigro

Liberty University Online

COUC 506: Integration of Spirituality and Counseling

Dr. Robert Farrell

January 29, 2022

Author Note

I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to

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and models of integration by Entwistle. In this novel, we learn about different integration

methods between religion and psychology (Entwistle, 2015). The second topic is the interaction I

has while reading and learning more about the models described by Entwistle. The last topic

being discussed is the application I can make in my counseling career with the introduction of

these models.

While reading Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to

worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration by Entwistle, many

concepts were discussed and broken down even further to bring about how these main methods

of Integration become models (Entwistle, 2015). In chapter 8 to 11, models such as Enemies,

subsets to each of these models. Going into chapter 9, Entwistle begins to discuss what it means

to have the integrative perspective of enemies. In this model, Entwistle explains that those that

follow this model are working to gain information from the other side while upholding their

they a better understanding of what the religious viewpoints are when making assumptions about

psychology. The next combatant is the Christian combatant. These members feel that psychology

is going against their religious texts and God when making assumptions about human nature. The

members of this group also gain knowledge from those of the psychological viewpoint, but they

are forward and committed to their religious beliefs. Although there are two distinct perspectives

within the enemy model, it is important to understand that these individuals believe that

psychology and religion cannot co-exist. They are forward in thinking that their side, whether it

is psychology or religion, is better than the other (Entwistle, 2015). Although this is the first

model described, the next model, Spies have similar traits, however they show one aspect that

distinguishes them from enemies.

Although these types of spies are willing to alter their thinking if there is information that is

beneficial to human-beings, Entwistle makes sure to mention that each of these sides is

reductionistic. Entwistle explains that this idea is confirmed by Eck who mentions that these

follow the ‘new’ Nouthetic Movement. This movement demonstrates that the two books: Book

of Nature and the Book of Scripture are to be equal in thought. These individuals are open to

looking into and accepting psychological data. The key factor for this community is that they

believe that religion should be the first perspective to be looked at, but they will accept the

findings of psychological research. This proposes an interesting thought because they will look at

and accept psychological findings that work with their perspective, but they will not look at the

methods or discipline that the psychological research was done for. Welch and Powlison describe

the failure in this model for that this model's belief is that Scripture over nature is the perspective

to follow but it does not allow for a distinguishment between scriptural authority over theological

interpretations (Entwistle, 2015, Pg. 225). After looking at this model, Entwistle begins to

Eric Johnson expresses that this model gears toward the western modernization of psychology

and Christianity. On the other hand, the Secular psychology believes that there is no God and that

there is not Sovereignty. They believe that religions are just stories and have no power over how

work to show that Christianity and Psychology can both exist if neither perspective provokes one

another (Entwistle, 2015). A notable example to explain this model is from Carter and

Narramore. These psychologists explain this model in the way of train tracks. They explain that

this model shows that Psychology and Christianity can coexist, but they do not converge

(Entwistle, 2015, pg.231). Looking at Psychological Neutrality, those of this belief can express

commitment to both Christianity and Psychology. They use their own interpretation and

understanding of the works from these fields to live their life. Similarly, Christian Neutrality

follows the same suit, however one major difference is that this belief fails to recognize the

shaping that worldview assumptions have in psychological and theological viewpoints”

(Entwistle, 2015, pg. 235). After recognizing all these models that keep psychology and

perspectives, the one obstacle for this model is that it does not give explicit insight to what

Christian perspectives work with psychology or vice versa. This model primarily focuses on

having a Christian perspective when looking at psychology, however it does beg the question of

(Entwistle, 2015). Overall, these models provide insight on the various communities that those

with perspectives align with.

These chapters had a lot of information within them. Many hours, notes, and rereading

occurred to make sure all the information was understood correctly and fully. When initially

reading Chapter 8, I felt overwhelmed and at a loss. Entwistle was referring to previous

chapters that I have not read and building off concepts that he had already explained. After

reading chapters 8 to 11, I finally understood the purpose of Chapter 8. Chapters 9 to 11 gave

in detail an explanation of the overview that was presented in Chapter 8. Chapter 9 talked

about the Enemies model, which was interesting to me because of the comparison the

Colonialist, Rebuilders, and Neutral Parties were discussed. While reading this chapter I felt

that although examples were given to help understand the model and the different

components, I missed gaining more commentary from other psychologists or religious leaders.

Psychology and Christianity should work, I align with the Neutral Parties. One of my personal

beliefs is that I should support other people in their beliefs if they do not try to impose their

belief on me. There are so many different religions and opinions in the world that I have no

authority to say if any are right and if any are wrong. That is how the neutral parties are. This

Neutral Parties model, it the coexistence of psychology and Christianity but neither one

antagonizes the other for dominance. This model is one that I can identify with because, I have

a Christian belief but I also belief in Psychology. I affirm that my understanding and

interpretation of the two allow me to make my own connections and revision.

When thinking about the applications of the various models discussed by Entwistle, the first

thought I had was from a previous class where I conducted research on Buddhism. I interviewed a temple

and a practicing monk to gain better insight on how they live their life's and to better understand how as I

counselor I can be beneficial if someone of the Buddhist faith came to counseling. Particularly to the

Buddhist religion, these monks would identify under the Neutral Parties model. In an interview that I had

with Venerable Tri dao, Buddhism is all inclusive and they do not discriminate (Batsavage-LoNigro &

dao, 2021). In another discussion with a monk of the Florida Buddhist Vihara, it was explained that those

Personal Faith in God and Prayer as Recovery Resources, I recall that as Christian counselors

we are to gauge whether to incorporate religious practices such as prayer into a session (Juhnke

et al., 2009). When thinking about these models, taking the suggestions from the article by

Juhnke I feel as though prior to jumping in with Christian beliefs I need to understand the

religious beliefs, practices, and spirituality of the client and then gage whether the client would

like aspects of religion to be incorporated into the session. As the article talks about, if the client

responds positively to the incorporation or idea of incorporating aspects of religion into the

session, then it is our job to give them the opportunity to engage with religious practices within a

session is the client desires.

As counselors we are to abide by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of

certain tests and assessments. Also, this code talks about how we need to make sure to use our

interpretation and learned knowledge from the client, before making claims and diagnoses (2014

code of Ethics - American Counseling Association). When considering all the different factors

that are associated with the different models explained by Entwistle, I have found that there are

many different skills and interpretations that are needed to be made that will lead to the best