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Thinking Deeper: Part 2 – Psychology and Christianity Tension
Introduction
Theology and psychology have been at “war” for an extended time throughout
history. An ambiguous and lengthy association can be linked between the two disciplines for
may decades or rather centuries in time. Hunt (2009) defines psychology as, “studying
behaviour and mental processes with humans being the primary focus to interpret, understand
and decipher the “why “within humankind. However, contrasting the focal point is theology
that places God as the primary focal point for understanding and deciphering humankinds
why (Hunt, 2009). Pavesi (2010) explores the other disciplines learned as there appeared to
be a difference opinion when referencing Christian theology and psychology in terms of the
focal point and their rather opposing views. You can consider probability amongst those who
practice and believe in Christianity trusting in theology while simultaneously believing in
psychology and its science. One could ask if there was an influence between the discipline’s
similarities and if so, what is the influence and how does it influence the similarities?
To understand the experience of humankind clearly, one must understand that there is
a great sum of information regarding development of all things and creation to learn. The
Bible certifies in John that, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (King
James Version, John 8:32, 1769/2017). For those Christians who are aware and strongly
believe in following Gods’ word tend to find serenity, quietness, and reason as they gain
answers spiritually from a world view whereas no explanation has been made via science yet.
Wolters (2005) references Gods’ standards and how they aid adherently in understanding and
gibing clarity/reason to those individuals who follow him. Outlines presented in the textbook
Creation regained, “The Grand Narrative,’ an instrument used to trace Christian philosophy,
reflects and captured the reason through sacred biblical writing in hopes that while capturing
the underlying purpose they would also find solutions and meaning relating to the psychology
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field (Wolters, 2005). More exploration will be required or rather needed to better reflect the
source of struggle brain research in informing the sense of life and truth or meaning behind
presence.
This paper will look and examine the reason behind the tension between Christian
theology and the field of psychology. Moreover, the relationships between theologists and
psychologists reflect discrepancies and inconsistencies, contrary to the similar objective,
seeking the truth of humankind’s involvement in driving the fight to articulate truths
certainty. Further investigations will provide a clearer interpretation as to why there is an
extensive amount of pressure or rather tension amidst the two disciplines.
Christianity
The text talks about the section of the church in a giving a sense of security and
community for devoted Christians, placing emphasis on the conviction in security and Gods’
divine oversight. Throughout times, psychology and Christian theology have reflected
appropriation and integration sharing comparative standards. Johnson (2010) expresses how
the bibles’ scriptures contain readily available research that minimized concepts into a
standardized format for individuals’ capacity to better understand psychology. Wolters
(2005) then further places a proposition on Christian counselling aiding in prioritizing
apologies for sin which is deemed the root of all evil or the reason as to numerous worldwide
problems.
In investigating Christian concepts, we tend to establish change, moral belief,
causality, and identity while recognizing the increasing complexity of the constructs. The
Bible holds valuable information about how we as humas should live and who we exactly are
as humans. Ephesians 2:10 instructs those followers, “to demonstrate the convictions made
by individuals as we are made in His image (King James Version, 1769/2017).
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Furthermore, Genesis 1:26-27 goes on to place emphasis on the idea of humans being made
in Gods image and have dominance over other creatures/animals (King James Version,
Genesis 1:26-27, 1769/2017). The Bible itself reflects fulfilment of Gods followers and the
scriptures source of direction and trust regularly differentiating logical viewpoints.
In contrast, when one investigates the emotional and mental challenging frequent
concepts within the human experience, the disciplines of psychology and Christianity tend to
offer strategy enhancement and insight to better surpass the issues at hand. To be able to fully
harmonize and integrate the fields is rather formidable, owing analytical approaches and
distinct difference inherently within each discipline. It has been shown that the Bible lacks
incorporation of science from a Christian standpoint, instead placing focus on ones’ soul
discarding psychology’s relationship (Vande Kemp, 1996). This ongoing conflict of interest
has influenced the tension between psychology and Christianity. This leads to a question,
“Why is there so much animosity and disdain for believers in Christ? To better understand
how tension developed; one may find it beneficial to explore psychology’s historical
evolution and its principal foundation.
Psychology
Psychology has been defined as the field that explores cognitive processes and
behaviours in humans. Sigmund Freud, most recognized and deemed as psychology’s
progenitor, authored many textbooks expressing his disdain and criticism of those individuals
who practiced religion (Friedman, 1998). The main argument he vehemently defended was
his belief that religion is and was a fallacy. With this he established his stance strongly that
by setting norms behaviourally religion can provoke the role of humans enforcing authority
(Friedman, 1998). Freud further declared that his followers tend to look for consolation
wishing to free themselves amid ethical individual sentiments and compasses of blame which
further aided in driving them into accepting God.
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Through history we are aware that psychology has progressed a great deal within
science. Human interpretation has forged the largest tension barrier from a credit standpoint
between the theology and psychology disciplines in which one gets to take all of the credit for
such said issue. For instance, if a veteran is diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), then the psychologist/psychiatrist is able to provide extensive medication
management, in home treatment, residential care, and outpatient treatment that later stabilizes
the individual. However, if the patient and/or spouse are very religious they may relate the
trauma and recovery to a gift from God for surviving the actual trauma. In retrospect, the
believers of psychology would disagree arguing that medicine and science provided the
stability and aided in alleviating symptoms that are no longer being experienced or present.
Was prayer and God the sole solution to the problem? The tension lay in the credit
determination. Could both theology and psychology both be attributed? Or did God solely use
the treatment and the administering team members as his vessel to deliver the veteran from
trauma-providing stability over a cure for the diagnosis? Is there some form of connection
there? Now, let’s further examine how Christianity and psychology are more similar than
different.
The connection between Christianity and Psychology
As we further review psychology and Christian theology it is clear that there are
varying aspects of each discipline that’s reflects an association in spite of their differences.
From this, the tension tends to lie within the competition of determining the better fitting
discipline and their understanding of truth and mankind. Both disciplines similarly recognize
the intrinsic esteem and significance of humans.
Watts (2017) informs us that each subject matter tends to recognize that humans are
spiritually connected to one another naturally via church or morals. Lastly, it is imperative
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that one can maintain autonomy and make their own decisions for control within the
discipline of psychology. This is vital. This further carries into the discipline of Christianity
as one must choose to give their life to God, trust in Him and follow Him. Simply put, both
disciplines focus on aiding in healing and feeling whole by redirecting behaviour and
providing solution to their problems (Watts, 2017). Lastly, both Christianity and psychology
believe that therapeutic and spiritual growth takes time and discipline to develop accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the objective is focused on examining the tension between Christian
theology and psychology that has been occurring for years. The primary issue at hand stems
to revolve around knowledge of psychological sources (Wolters, 2005). This paper examined
varying angles as to why there tends to be tension amongst the two disciplines throughout the
fight to find truths certainty through experiences by mankind. Through exploration many can
discover the why as to just how psychology and Christianity objectives align despite
prominent contradictory objectives. Though both disciplines have similarities they can learn
just how to incorporate one another’s’ beliefs’ rather than placing significance on differences
and dominance in a territorial state. One can assume that with so many similarities there is
potential to address such conflict with dialogue that will propose consideration, inclusion, and
insight rather than aiming to cancel out one or the another. Furthermore, one can even assume
that with varying likenesses there is a great potential in addressing conflict and disarray
proposing insight, consideration and inclusion to rule out one another.
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References
Friedman, R. (1998). Freud's Religion: Oedipus and Moses. Religious Studies, 34(2), 135-
149. Retrieved June 13, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20008152
Hunt, M. (2009). The story of psychology. Anchor.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
(Original work published 1769) http://www.jstor.org/stable/43854205
Pavesi, E. (2010). Pastoral Psychology as a Field of Tension between Theology and
Psychology. Christian Bioethics, 16(1), 9–29. https://doi.org/10.1093/cb/cbq001
Vande Kemp, H. (1996). Psychology and Christian spirituality: Explorations of the inner
world. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 15(2), 161–174.
Watts, F. (2017). Theology and psychology. Routledge.
Wolters, A. M. (2005). Creation regained: Biblical basics for a Reformational worldview.
Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans.
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