No, I do not agree with the negative critique of psychology. There are truths in this
opinion statement regarding psychology. Certainly, humans are sinful and can
think sinfully, and psychology is a man-made discipline seeking to understand
human nature. However, the principal object of study in psychology is humanity;
humans are God’s creation. The study of psychology is then the study of God’s
creation as my worldview adheres to a literal hermeneutic of the creation account:
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them” (New International Version, 1984/1973, Genesis
1:27).
c c c c c c c In summary, psychology is the study of God’s pinnacle of creation: humans.
Further, an assumption in my anthropology is humans have been in a fallen state
since the fall of man as recounted in Genesis 3. Thus, the study of humanity
provides a means to view and understand God’s creation in both a spiritually
regenerated state for those who believe and a spiritually unregenerate state for
those who do not believe. Paul spoke of the spiritually regenerate (believers)
waiting for their bodies to be regenerated like their spirits have been because of
their belief in the Messiah: “[W]e ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of
our bodies (New International Version, 1984/1973, Romans 8:23). All of humanity
was born into sin and live in a fallen world, where both nature and human nature
yearn to be free of sin and the effects of sin: “For the creation was subjected to
frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in
hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and
brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (New International
Version, 1984/1973, Romans 8:20-21). Therefore, psychology is the study of God’s
crown of creation, humanity, yet in a fallen state.
c c c c c c c My views align most with Allies, an “integrative model of disciplinary
relationships” (Entwistle, 2015, pp. 246-264). The Allies model affirms the truth of
the Bible and also supports the truths found in the psychology, as this model
assumes truth is from God and points to His authorship. Entwistle summarized
the manner in which the integrative model views truth or knowledge: “In our
humble efforts, though, the integrative model implies that there is no valid
distinction between ‘sacred’ and the ‘secular’ (2015, p. 264). All truth is from God
because God is truth. When Christ was on the earth, Peter said the following
about Jesus, which attests to God’s truthfulness: “He committed no sin, and no
deceit was found in his mouth (New International Version, 1984/1973, 1 Peter
2:22). Before Christ came to earth, Isaiah prophesied about Jesus: “He was
assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had
done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth” (New International Version,
1984/1973, Isaiah 53:9). Therefore, when Jesus made statements about himself,
individuals can know these statements are true because in Christ no deceit was
found: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (New International Version,
1984/1973, John 14:6a). God is both the creator of life as described in the book
of Genesis as well as the embodiment of truth as explained in the book of John.
Thus, all truth is from God, and there is no need of a division between sacred and
secular truth or knowledge. All truth is possible because of God, whether
individuals acknowledge this reality or not.
c c c c c c c c Furthermore, when individuals study humans, they are studying a creation
of God, which for believers can be an act of worship unto God. Entwistle (2015)
made a similar statement: “We who explore the book of God’s Word and the book
of God’s Works likewise perform a divine service of worship as we explore the
glory of God as it is arrayed before us” (p. 264). Not only do I not agree with the
negative critique of psychology that is the subject of this discussion, but I also
recognize and underscore the pivotal perspective missing: One’s work in
psychology can be a true act of worship for the Creator. For example, Dr. Cloud
and Dr. Townsend wrote the book, How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals about
Personal Growth, to provide a systematic theology of growth that supports their
psychology surrounding growth. Cloud and Townsend contend, “[T]his entire book
is our answer to these questions [surrounding the integration of psychology and
theology]” (2001), p. 200). Interestingly, they reveal no matter where the truth is
found, psychological research or some other venue, the observations reveal God
and the truths found in the Bible (Cloud & Townsend, 2001). Thus, psychology can
be an act of worship.
c c c c c c c Another example of interdisciplinary study reflecting God’s truth is found in
support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA,
wrote a tribute to the importance of gratitude for sobriety and for living life well.
Krentzman (2019) explained: “This qualitative analysis of Wilson's writings on
gratitude produced a conceptual framework depicting the nature of gratitude in
Alcoholics Anonymous that closely follows religious, philosophical, and
psychological theories of gratitude” (p. 459). The Bible has affirmed this truth for
centuries: “[G]ive thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ
Jesus” (New International Version, 1984/1973, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Further, Paul
reiterates the importance of giving thanks to God even in troubling situations and
God will provide His peace: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every
situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus” (New International Version, 1984/1973, Philippians
4:6-7).
c c c c c c c Psychology, a behavioral science, continues to reflect God and His ways.
Science reveals the author of life; therefore, the study of psychology can truly be
an act of worship and connection to the Almighty. Paul proclaimed this truth while
in Athens as recorded in Acts 17: 24-28:
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth
and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by
human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and
breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they
should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history
and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and
perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets
have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ (New International Version, 1984/1973).
References
Cloud, H., & Townsend, J. (2001). How people grow: What the Bible reveals about
personal growth. Zondervan.
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An
introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of
integration (3rd ed.). Wipf & Stock Publishers.
The Holy Bible, new international version: Containing the old testament and the new
testament. (1984). International Bible Society. (Original work published in 1973).
Krentzman, A. R. (2019). A full and thankful heart: writings about gratitude by
Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder, Bill Wilson. Addiction Research & Theory, 27(6),
451–461. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2018.1547816
