RUNNING HEAD: REFLECTION
Psychology and Christianity Reflection
Amanda White
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
PSYC 520: Psychology and Christianity
August 29, 2020
Psychology and Christianity Reflection
Reflection
Psychology describes the relationship that an individual has within oneself and how
one perceives the world around them. It also helps to describes how one interacts with the
world around them. Christianity on the other hand is based primarily on beliefs of things
that are not seen and faith in a loving being that is identified as God. Christianity holds the
belief that everyone is held accountable for their actions and all will account for them one
day. Being held accountable is one of the ways that psychology and Christianity intersects.
It is our belief system that helps to shape our worldviews.
The Gospel of Luke tells us, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke
6:31). This is a principle that should come very natural to individuals as it simply states that we
are to treats others the way that we want to be treated. This is also a principle that can help us to
form our bases for what is to be morally right and wrong knowing that there is a supreme being
that we are going to be held accountable to for all our actions. This simple verse states a
noticeably clear Christian view and a spiritual principle for all to follow.
Psychology and the Christian faith are two very separate entities yet there can be truth
found in both of them. Most of the Christians are very grounded in their faith and strongly
believes that we are not to worship any other Gods so the psychology can come in to as the other
God that is not to worshipped. God gives all who places their trust in Him a peace that surpasses
our own understanding and we all need to follow the Proverbs that tells us to, "Trust in the Lord
with all your heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV).There can also be truth found in the
world of psychology. There have been numerous studies done over the years by various
psychologists such as Piaget, Freud, and Pavlov just to name a few that have proven theories and
methods that work and this is just one reason why I see that it is important also.
Reflection
Psychology and Christianity are both equally important since they address totally
different parts of an individual. Psychology deals with the individuals mental state while
Christianity deals with the individuals spiritual state. Depending on the individual one or the
other may have more weight in the individual’s life over the other one. I as a Christian choose to
rely on my faith more and let God supply my joy. I choose to be in His presence and let His joy
fill my life each day. (Psalms 51:11). I also have no other Gods before Him so that he may surely
be the source of my light and salvation. (Psalms 51:12). So, in order to deal with the things in life
and to help me to overcome the challenges of life I choose to incorporate both of them into my
life to a certain point. I choose to integrate psychology into my life even though most in the
church community may frown upon the use of psychology in one’s life. I believe however that
there can be room enough an individual’s life for both psychology and Christianity.
There is a noticeably difference between the two like that Christians could view certain
actions that an individual does as an sinful act where some one in the psychology field could
view the same acts as signs of some type of illness in need of treatment. Christians are not meant
to determine any actions as sinful or not because that privilege is left up to God and God alone.
The Psychologist job also is not to judge the individual’s actions but to help the individual any
way that they can. God is only one has the right to judge anyone’s actions and we should
interfere with God and we can accomplish this by teaching the principles in the scriptures such as
those in the Gospel of Luke and then leave it up to the each individual to govern themselves in
their actions.
As I learn more about the field of psychology, I hope that I can integrate more of the
philosophies and theories into my Christian views. I feel that there can be successfully
integration of two and hopefully in the future I figure out how to incorporate more of both of
them into my life so that I can deal with the issues of everyday life more easily. I feel that by
Reflection
incorporating more of the psychology theories I will be able to deal with life issues with more
ease and God with help give the strength and the peace to overcome all things.
In conclusion, the worldview of these two trains of thoughts come into conflict with each
other but there can be a harmony between the two and one can learn to accept the world of
psychology even in the Christian world. Jesus taught us to draw near to Him in all things and as
Christians we do this but we can also move into another school of thought and incorporate the
world of psychology to help those in this world to overcome those terrible things that they face.
With the use of psychology and the faith of a Christian ,we can conquer anything that we come
across in this world.
