LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
4MAT Book Review of Entwistle
Submitted to Dr. Eric Scalise
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for completion of the course:
PACO 506
Integration of Psychology and Theology
by
Harold Hanson
September 5,2021
1
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 behavior1. By combining them together, it is possible to het a more
complete and integrated representation of human nature.5
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.5
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 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
1 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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author, the ‘Allies’ model has affirmed that the psychology discipline and Christian theology
have a deep association with God’s sovereignty.5
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 program2. 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.5
Reflection
2 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.
3
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.5
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.5
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 and address his
fundamental needs3. 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
3 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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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.55
Bibliography
5
Entwistle, David N.5Integrative 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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