I was born and raised in a very small town. The church was and still is an
enormous part of my life. My family attended a local church with a medium-size
congregation of approximately 80 to 100 members. a The church fostered an
environment of love, unity, and community. It was common for members to come
together often to support one another outside of weekly worship services; we were
a family. We spent most of our time at church, and even when we were not
physically in the building, our lifestyle would still revolve around the things of God.
Entwistle states that our identity and worldview were inherently shaped by the
influence of family, church, friends, community, and society (Entwistle, 2015). I
have a sincere appreciation for everything that has contributed to the development
of my worldview. After careful review of the Christian theologies discussed by
Entwistle, I believe that my religious experiences exemplify that of the
fundamentalist perspective. Prayer, fasting, and reading scripture are the
foundations for everyday living. Although it is important that scripture be adhered
to, I believe that the bible should not be used to assert control or personal
influence. a As an adolescent, I can recall often being told that we were prohibited
from attending some events or even wearing certain articles of clothing “because
the bible says so.” a Now that I’m older, I realize that this response was often used
as a method of control to instill obedience. Although the literal interpretation of the
scripture is important, it is beneficial for fundamentalists to be open to differing
views and demonstrate more concern for the present world (Entwistle, 2015).
I believe that science and Christianity are compatible, but that the Word of God is
the foundation for this integration. I support the position of Pope John Paul II who
believed that Christianity and science can coexist because their truths emanate
from God (Entwistle, 2015, p. 36). There is a requirement for a degree of open-
mindedness from all parties for integration to occur.
Entwistle states that understanding worldviews helps us to think critically about the
assumptions that we make (Entwistle, 2015). Although the lens through which we
see things is inherited; it’s important to consider that our worldview may not
always be right and take opportunities to re-examine ourselves. It is beneficial to
remain open-minded to different worldviews as this gives us an opportunity for
growth by seeing through a different lens.
Reference:
Entwistle, D. (2015). Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: An
Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations and Models of
Integration. Third Edition. Cascade Books.
