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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
4MAT Book Review of Entwistle
PACO 506
Integration of Psychology and Theology
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Summary
Author Entwistle in the book has stated that there is a need to combine psychology with
Christianity. Since humans are affected by both these elements, counselors need to pay
attention so that they can understand and observe human behavior in diverse ways. It would
give them an opportunity to see reality through the lenses of varying assumptions as well as
methodologies. In the initial section of the book, Entwistle has laid the foundation for the
disciplines. Psychology has been defined as an academic discipline that tries to comprehend
human behavior. He has defined Christian theology as the branch of inquiry that intends to
understand what it means to be a human being. Both Christianity, as well as Psychology, give
valuable insights that help to study and understand human behavior
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. By combining them
together, it is possible to het a more complete and integrated representation of human nature.
The next section of the book gives an opportunity to Christian Counselors to focus on
integrated psychology and Christianity by looking at it in a conceptual way. For instance, they
are able to focus on presuppositions while understanding human beings. The author has laid
the framework relating to the Christian worldview, which encompasses creation, fall,
redemption, and consummation. He has argued that the worldviews that a person possesses
have the ability to limit or expand the comprehension of human behavior.
In the final section of the book, the author has helped the readers to understand diverse
models. A total of six models have been presented that are related to psychology and
Christianity. These models include ‘Enemies’ where the high emphasis is given to procedures
that segregate sections of one discipline from that of others, ‘Spies’ which focuses on
beneficial and useful aspects of religion that has a positive effect on mental health,
‘Colonialists’, which has selectively accepted, rejected, or altered distinctive findings from
psychology on the basis of previous religious presuppositions, ‘Rebuilders’ where psychology
has been seen as an element that belongs to God, but it has been overrun by individuals who
do not serve Him, ‘Neutral’ which focuses on the procedures that divide parts of one
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Entwistle, David N. Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues,
philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015.
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discipline from another, ‘Allies’ which has recognized that God is aware of all the truth. Out
of all the six models that have been presented by the author, the ‘Allies’ model has affirmed
that the psychology discipline and Christian theology have a deep association with God’s
sovereignty.
Concrete Response
While reading the book, I was reminded of my participation in community-based programs
where I have extended support and social services to the community members. While carrying
out my responsibility, I was given the task of coordinating a job skill program where people
would get the chance to upgrade their skills so that their chances of getting employment could
increase. The program was sponsored by a Christian non-profit organization whose core
values revolved around Jesus Christ, discipleship, justice, and equality. The mission of the
organization was to ‘fulfil the needs of human beings in the name of Christ without showing
any discriminatory behavior’. Many of the people with whom I got to engage had faced tough
situations in life, such as they were addicted to drugs, had spent time in prison, were
unemployed, or homeless. The traumatic experiences that they had encountered in their life
had motivated them to be a part of the community-based program
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. When I spoke with the
individuals, many of them stated that they did not visit the community church and they did
not believe in Christ. As I belong to a conservative Christian family, I realized that I could
make use of the message in Gospel and the Bible and help the members to move in the
righteous path. The interaction helped me to understand that the people were lacking not only
professional skills but they had no sense of direction, which increased their mental
vulnerability. I took the initiative to counsel the members so that the program would focus on
improving their employability skills as well as psychological growth and well-being. John
15:12 has stated, ‘Love each other as I have loved you.’ I have followed these holy words
which have helped me to integrate psychology and Christian theology while creating value for
people who are in need of help and support in the community setting.
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Entwistle, David N. Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues,
philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015.
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Reflection
The book by author Entwistle has been extremely enriching for me as I got the opportunity to
understand that the concepts of psychology and Christianity can be interlinked with one
another. The unification of these disciplines can help to get a detailed and in-depth
understanding of human behavior and human nature. One of the key things that I like about
the book is how the author has provided a layout relating to the Christian worldview. It acts as
the ultimate foundation that can be used in order to view and observe the world with one’s
own eyes. The author has encouraged the readers to have a personal worldview. However, one
also has to acknowledge the fact that others might not have similar kinds of views and
thinking. One of the main models that have given rise to serious concerns is the ‘Enemies’
model. Certain questions have started bothering me, such as the kind of counselors that need
to counsel lay church members.
Appication/Action
The contents that have been covered in the book have helped me a lot to grow and develop
myself in the professional counseling setting. The book has created a platform for me to view,
observe as well as compare Christian worldviews. I have realized that it is extremely
important for a church counselor to have an in-depth insight into the role that the psychology
discipline plays in Christianity. Both of the disciplines work in alignment in order to give a
comprehensive view of human beings and how they behave.
The book has played an instrumental role in expanding my comprehension of counseling. In
order to act as a competent and efficient counselor of a church, an individual has to adopt an
ethical approach. However, apart from adopting an ethical approach, it is also necessary to
take into account other important aspects. For instance, it is vital to be aware of an
individual’s background, his or her personal experiences, reasons for his likes and dislikes,
whether he has a spiritual connection or not, and his social circle. By taking these important
aspects into consideration, it would be possible for a counselor to sit down with an individual
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and address his fundamental needs
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. The diverse range of cases that have been covered in the
book by author Entwistle has helped me to realize that faulty logic could give rise to serious
ramifications in one’s life. I want to review the cases that were captured in the book in a more
detailed and analytical manner. It would help me to understand each of the models with a
higher degree of precision. For instance, I want to review the case involving the Grace
Community Church. The insight would help me to understand how the concepts of
psychology and Christianity can be integrated to explore human beings, one of the unique
creations of God. I believe that I have a lot to learn by going through the book and its core
contents all over again. b
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Entwistle, David N. Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues,
philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015.
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Bibliography
Entwistle, David N. Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to
worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Wipf and Stock
Publishers, 2015.
