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. d 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. d 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.” d 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.
