thank you very much for sharing your insight. Your research gleaned
information that was similar to the concepts I discovered as well, mainly that
both Christianity and psychology search for truth, but that the truth can be
achieved through different means (Hathaway et al., 2022). In your case, the
research demonstrated the specific methods that someone would use to
explore relevant concepts i.e. observation or revelation (Johnson, 2010). This
delineation is very important to understand because as another classmate
pointed out, the scientific method can be embraced by the Church in order to
explain certain ideas, and on the flip side of that, psychologists can integrate
religious teachings into modern psychological theory. Furthermore, I thought you
brought up a very good point in how we must be careful not to inject personal
bias into scientific observations, but rather to remain objective in these
circumstances in order to draw conclusions that have not been interpreted
differently depending on the person processing and analyzing the information.
This concept reminds me of Kant’s theory on a kaleidoscopic viewpoint, which
suggests that as humans we all observe our natural surroundings through a
different lense, similar to looking through a kaleidoscope at a similar image
through various filters. I especially liked your explanation regarding how as
people we all draw from different perspectives and require tailored
combinations of resources to help improve our lives. With that being said, in
line with what you pointed out, the disciplines of modern psychology and
Christianity can complement each other to help reduce any potential for
limitations. c agree with you that both Christianity and psychology have a
primary goal of searching for truth. The method of seeking truth may differ
between disciplines, but the source of truth is the same. Even if science uses
observation, is not the observed thing still from God? c Romans states, "For his
invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been
clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have
been made. So they are without excuse" (English Standard Version, 2022, 1:20).
All that is perceived or observed is part of God's Truth. Hill (2005) states that
"a Christian understanding adds overall explanatory power to the phenomenon
under investigation" (p. 101). Psychological science may deny the source of the
truth. Still, we must seek ways to increase the authority of the Bible as a
source of knowledge outside of Christianity in understanding human persons
(Hill, 2005).
I appreciate many aspects of the levels of explanation view as described in
Johnson's (2005) Psychology and Christianity, Five Views, but differ in believing
that theology and psychology should remain separate domains. Truth is a c
divine revelation from God sought in the mind or soul. Augustine established
the foundation for knowledge by showing that truth is eternal, immutable, and
independent (Sproul, 2000). The idea that truth begins with God but expands
beyond Scripture must be central to our thinking. Sproul (2000) concludes that
a new synthesis is needed to rescue metaphysics and overcome agnostic
philosophy by bridging the special revelation of Scripture and the general
revelation of nature. I believe that these same ideas are central to combining
theology and psychology. Only through integration can the Truth of Scripture be
elevated. This expansion of Biblical truth outside of the Church is a pathway to
enable Christian thought and psychology to fit together. The Integration of
psychology and Christianity provides a means to join together both the science
of psychology and Christianity to allow for proven scientific methods while
always first pursuing the Truth. What an exciting post. Truth is a critical aspect
of our lives, and when it is based on the foundation of Christ, it is even more
unique. c The Bible states to do what is right and just is more acceptable to the
Lord than making sacrifices (Holy Bible, New King James Version, 1982/1994,
Proverbs 21:3). You have covered how Christianity and modern psychology fit
together by providing practical areas in which modern psychology and
Christianity could fit, such as the pursuit of truth, which illustrates that truth
begins from God. Truth is considered a divine revelation that is sought in the
soul or mind of a person. However, in the description of the context of truth,
the post provides a significant account of various spiritual leaders, such as
Augustine and Thomas of Aquinas. They perceived truth as a revelation from
God. In addition, the post considers that the Bible should have greater authority
that extends outside the Christianity perspective to help explain human persons
and integrate psychology and Christianity. Thus, expanding the Biblical truth
beyond the church's perspective allows Christians to understand modern
psychology better as they learn more about the significant aspects of secular
thoughts that are aspects of psychology.
The context of stretching beyond the limits of Christianity to understand the
secular aspects of seeking the truth correlates with Aleksandar's idea of free
will. According to Aleksandar, in the presence of a free will, an individual is not
bound by the fatalistic structure of their personality or the circumstances while
making decisions (Santrac, 2016). Thus, an empowered and renewed faculty of
free will in individuals enables the integration of Christianity and psychology as
they learn more about the secular aspects of life. Through such integration,
Christians redeem the divine love from the spiritual perspective, which
transforms into a meaningful, practical life of service to humanity. According to
Wolters (2005), a reformational worldview also aims at redeeming the aspects
whose structures are rooted in the created order and restoring the good
creation. Moreover, it captures all the elements of human life, such as business,
art, politics, sexuality, and emotion (Wolters, 2005). Thus, such a quest for an
ultimate meaningful life rewarded by divine love extends beyond the Christian
perspective into secular life and depicts the integration of spirituality and
psychology.
Your post is excellent, and it depicts the relationship between modern
psychology as a science and Christianity. As you mentioned, the primary goal
of both psychology and Christianity is to seek the truth, which is the central
aspect they share. Psychology is depicted to fit in a church perspective as
human beings require interpreting in both scriptural and scientific areas to
determine the truth provided by science-based findings (Johnson, 2010). Such a
perspective considers that church leaders have a coherent interpretation of the
biblical verses through integrating scientific and scriptural interpretations.
The link between Christianity and psychology could be understood through
Wolters' reformational worldview that apart from depicting that the scriptural
concepts of salvation apply to an individual and the entire creation, it also
provides insight into seeking truth in God's creation through education (Wolters,
2005). Further, Wolters' Reformational Worldview deviates from the dualistic
worldview that considers a difference between secular and sacred to depict
that Jesus Christ's redemption means a restoration of the original good
creation (Wolters, 2005). Education is considered an aspect of psychology, and
it is significant in the reformation process among Christians as it helps identify
the goodness in God's creation (Wolters, 2005). Thus, Christian educators are
responsible for depicting how suitable creational structures have been perverted
in various situations, contexts, and cultures which shows an aspect of seeking
truth within a society and thus describes the link between Christianity and
psychology. However, according to Aleksandar, psychology and Christianity link
through the world's consciousness (Santrac, 2016). In the context of
consciousness, Aleksandar argues that the human mind, which entails both
reason and intellect, functions when it is a subject to the lordship of Christ
(Santrac, 2016).
Moreover, in evolutionary psychology, the reason is alienated and integrated;
every thought in mind should be made obedient and captive to a Christian
perspective. Furthermore, in making decisions while seeking the truth, the
thoughts should be confined to Christ. The Bible states that we should commit
to the Lord whatever we do, and He will direct our path (Holy Bible, New King
James Version, 1982/1994, Proverbs 16:3). c The Lord also gives us the ability
to gain wisdom and knowledge to make the world a better place.
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.
Johnson, E. L. (Ed). (2010). Psychology and Christianity, five views. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Sproul, R. C. (2000). The consequences of ideas. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
Hathaway, W.; Yarhouse, M. (2021). The Integration of Psychology and
Christianity: A Domain-based approach. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove IL.
Johnson, E. L. (2010). Psychology and Christianity: Five views (2nd ed.). IVP
Academic.
