Philosophical Anthropology
Alyson Jones
Department of Psychology, Liberty University Online
PSYC420: Psychology and Christianity
Dr. Gilbert Franco
November 15, 2021
Philosophical Anthropology
Philosophical anthropology is the study of the character, disposition, qualities and
inclinations of human beings (Entwistle, 2015). There are two perspectives to philosophical
anthropology, and they are psychological and theological understandings.
The study of psychology deals with the observation of human behavior and of the human
mind. There are behavioral aspects to psychology and cognitive aspects as well as a few others
(Entwistle, 2015). There are so many different aspect and branches to psychology. The
behavioral aspect of psychology analyzes how rewards and punishment may influence an
individual’s behavior. Cognitive psychology is concerned with how things are processed in the
mind of the individual. It also studies how that same information is stored and then later
retrieved when it’s wanted or needed. Theological perspectives, which includes the Christian
perspective, on human nature and humanity, focuses on what psychology cannot answer; the
meaning of life, and what can fill that Jesus sized hole inside of our souls. In order to have a
Christian view on humanity there must be some awe when looking at everything God has
created. There are also a few different perspectives in theological anthropology just as there are
in psychological anthropology.
One thing that psychology offers that Christian theology does not, is that it focuses on the
mind and behavior (Entwistle, 2015). Another thing psychology focuses on that Christian
theology doesn’t is, an increase of knowledge and the improvement of human life. It does this by
looking at what things in life can cause human life to flourish (Entwistle, 2015). Christian
theology in the other hand has a focuses on God and how we can see God in humanity. Looking
at the world through eyes full of wonder and awe. It focuses on humans being made in the image
of God, where psychology does not.
Psychological and theological perspectives can work together because they each offer
information and insight into the human life and mind that the other does not. They could
essentially be puzzle pieces to each other, if integrated correctly into each other’s studies. It is
also important that psychology shouldn’t be integrated into Christian theology, but that Christian
theology should be integrated into psychology. God has a place in every aspect of this world and
in the studies of the world and of his creation. They can be integrated, but only by God being put
into psychology. Not the other way around. God is unchanging, but he can change the things
around his children and the way that His children view things and gain knowledge. As said
before, because God created this world and everything in it, it would be silly to try to keep Him
out of our studies when we are studying His creation. Since Christian theology is the study of the
meaning of life and the direction of life, and Jesus gives us meaning, it only makes sense that it
is integrated into the study of the human brain and behavior. Without God, there would be no
right or wrong, and psychologists wouldn’t be able to do their job with compassion or kindness.
