Wolters (2005) states that viewing the phenomena of the world through a Biblical
worldview enables individuals to "look at reality through the corrective lens of
Scripture, which everywhere speaks of a good creation and the drama of its
reclamation by the Creator in Jesus Christ" (p. 115). This worldview must be the
starting point and the overarching framework of all investigations and theories to
discern truth and add insight to the field of psychology. Social psychology studies
human interactions, and without Scripture, no proper understanding can exist.
"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them" (English Standard Version, 2022, Genesis 1:
27). God created man and woman to be in relationship, to interact with each
other. These relationships and all that followed Adam and Eve are part of God's
good creation. Genesis 2:18 states, "Then the Lord God said, it is not good that
the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him" (English Standard
Version, 2022). From the very beginning, God did not intend for man to live in
isolation. God created man for relationships.
Relationships today are broken. However, the question is not whether
relationships are good or bad, but rather what is the structure or direction of the
relationships. This framework allows the topic to be viewed to encourage
redemption and restoration instead of a view that brings division. The renewal of
the creational area of relationships is possible through an inward reformation.
Christ overcomes the destruction of sin. Through a Biblical worldview,
psychologists can influence the direction of relationships and the foundation of
good.
Additionally, viewing the world through the lens of Scripture allows psychologists
to participate and effectively influence academia through societal renewal.
Wolters (2005) states that the academic field is full of intellectual tradition.
Individuals can work within the system, seeking to reform, restore, and preserve
the inherent good in the historical givens. The strategy of reformation must guide
educators. "It is the task of every educator to sift out the valuable insights of a
tradition and make them fruitful for further progress and expose and reject the
falsehood and illusion within the same tradition" (Wolters, 2005, p. 95). As
someone who desires to teach psychology, this framework can be a guiding light
in all that is taught. A Biblical worldview allows the integration of theology across
all disciplines. Hill (2005) writes about the benefits of integrating psychology and
Christianity. Scripture is the common denominator that influences every category.
As the view of Scripture is expanded, it will gain greater authority in secular and
scientific communities such as academia. A Biblical worldview is the foundation
of these interactions.
Furthermore, psychology explores norms and behaviors. Any investigation of
these processes without beginning with Scripture will lead to only error. Truth is
not subjective. Wolters (2005) states, "Only with the corrective lens of scripture
can we discern what is normative in the tangled mass of psychological and
sociological data on sexual mores in different cultures" (p. 109). Yet the tangled
mass is much more than sexual mores and expands to all of creation. The only
hope is to turn our hearts to our Creator. Pursuing psychological research and
teaching through a Biblical worldview gives the unique opportunity to help others
with "the discovery of creation's goodness as well as the discovery of sin's
badness" (Wolters, 2005, p. 109). Restoration and healing can be accomplished
while a focus remains on the goodness of creation.
References
English Standard Version. (2022). Crossway. Retrieved from Esv.org
Hill, P. C. (2005). Living on the boundary: Scriptural authority and psychology.
Journal of Psychology and Theology, 33(2), 98-112.
http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fschol
arly-journals%2Fliving-on-boundary-scriptural-
authority%2Fdocview%2F223668910%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D12085 (Links to an
external site.)
Wolters, A. M. (2005). Creation regained. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. Eerdmans
Publishing Co.
