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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
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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 discipline from another, ‘Allies’
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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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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.
Reflection
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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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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 and address
his fundamental needs
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. The diverse range of cases that have been covered in the book by
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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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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. a
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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.
