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).
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 hopethatthe 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.
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.
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.
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).
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 personalgrowth. 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 newtestament.(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
