Christianity is a religion from Christ Jesus, grounded on the Holy Book (Bible) as
consecrated scripture and acknowledged by the Protestant bodies, Eastern and
the Roman Catholic. At the same time, Psychology is a complex discipline and
comprises several sub-fields of study, including sporting, human development,
well-being, medical, social conduct, and mental processes (McLeod, 2017).
Psychology is an innovative science with significant advances occurring over the
past one hundred and fifty years. Nevertheless, its roots can be traced back to
ancient Greece, about 400 to 500 BC (Marciniak, 2006). This discussion will
attempt to discuss the relationship between Christianity and psychology.
The interest of Christians in psychology has advanced over the last 50 years, and
uncountable books have been printed by Christians that attempt to define human
personalities, dysfunctional advancement, boundaries, relationships and problems,
and how children ought to be raised (Johnson, 2010). Nevertheless, amid this
tension, there exists a philosophical problem that the church has wrestled with for
an extended period. Over the past one hundred and forty years, a multifaceted
and vast body of facts and exercise has provided treatment and understanding of
people's conduct that differ significantly from Christian viewpoints on the life of
human beings.
Subsequently, current psychology is largely nonspiritual. There is significant
disagreement concerning how much the models and discoveries of this type of
psychology ought to affect, be fascinated, and even change Christians' ways of
thinking regarding humans. Christians have welcomed the findings and models of
current psychology with indiscriminating enthusiasm, innocently believing that its
writings perfectly reflect human reality. Johnson (2010) argues that some
Christians have reasoned that any assumption of current psychology is
psychoheresy because it indeed poisons the believers imbibing it.
As per several textbooks of introduction to psychopathology, counseling, and
psychology, the genesis of psychology arose in the mid to late 1800. This was the
establishment of modern psychology. Further investigations show significant
reflection, counseling, writing, psychological theorizing, and some ongoing
research during the past centuries (Johnson, 2010). Indisputably, the form of the
previous psychology was dissimilar in various respects from the statistically and
empirically focused psychology of the last 100 years. In contrast, past psychology
depended greatly on Christian ministers' and thinkers' theological and
philosophical likeliness. However, that was a genuine psychological effort
permeating Christianity's history (Johnson, 2010). In as much as a more
significant part of it was characterized by lesser complexity evidenced in the
modern/current psychology.
Contemporarily, though some scientists continue to be direct rivals of Christianity,
some scientists are promoting the knowledge that Christianity and psychology are
well-matched. Nonetheless, the two disciplines test each other to uphold
intellectual truthfulness (Carter, 2013). Christianity challenges psychology to
accept the importance of the supreme frame of reference and ethical
responsibility. At the same time, psychology and science test Christianity to
reexamine its assumptions concerning God, eschatology, and creation to partake
in good science. According to (Carter, 2013), there exist pressure points in the
connection between Christianity and psychology. He adds that it is also factual
that the Christian ideology of a sovereign creator has sustained the psychological
spirit.
a Johnson (2010) argues that the discipline of psychology and counseling as an
activity is essentially a spiritual initiative for Christians, as it is in the existence of
life. Therefore, there is a requirement for a supported relationship between
Christianity and psychology as human beings try to come to an understanding of
nature. Hence as I progress with my research, I must recognize the role of
psychology and its impact on my research. Furthermore, combining faith and
science in understanding the relationship between the employer and their
employee will bring a resolution that can increase productivity and the well-being
of the workers.
References
Carter, R. (2013). Relationships Between Christianity and Psychology: Toward a
More Integrative Approach.
https://www.academia.edu/13666960/Relationships_Between_Christianity_and_Psy
chology_Toward_a_More_Integrative_Approach Links to an external site.
Johnson, E. (2010). Psychology and Christianity: Five Views (2nd ed.). Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 9780830828487.
Marciniak, V. P. (2006). Towards a History of Consciousness: Space, Time, and
Death. Austria: Peter Lang.
McLeod, S. A. (2017). Qualitative vs. quantitative research. Simply psychology.
