Week 7 Discussion Post 6 Document

I received my master's degree in Industrial Organization Psychology from

a non-Christian university. During that time, I became interested in

positive psychology and the psychological constructs of hope, flourishing,

and thriving. Until beginning my doctoral program at Liberty University, all

research was done in a secular manner. Though the science and empirical

data suggested conclusions, my thoughts and ideas did not seem

complete as I continued my studies. The data lacked an understanding

that was integral to my Biblical worldview. The seeming inability to

integrate Christianity with psychology made the research appear lacking

Upon beginning studies at Liberty, I realized that integrating Christianity

and psychology was not only possible, but vital to my education and

future in the psychological sciences. Psychological theories and research

existed for centuries before modern psychology. During the previous eras,

early psychology, theology, and philosophy were all concerned, to varying

degrees, with healing and understanding the soul (Johnson, 2010).

Webster's 1828(American Dictionary of the English Languagedefines

psychology as "A discourse or treatise on the human soul; or the doctrine

of the nature and properties of the soul" (2022, Psychology). Today, soul

care is primarily relegated to the Church. Sisemore (2011) suggests

human condition should begin with theology. "Christianity carries a set of

psychological commitments that ground all attempts to think about the

soul, or the self as moderns have translated psyche" (Charry, 2011, p.

284). Octavio (2014) states that a biblical narrative allows the most

pressing questions of integrating faith and learning to be answered.

Psychology should begin with a Christian worldview and assumptions to

form theories and models using a wide variety of data that includes, but is

not limited to, empirical data (Sisemore, 2011). Psychology and

Christianity both desire to help people flourish and should be able to work

together for the same end purpose.

science and faith must be affirmed to build a bridge between the Church

and psychology, especially for the next generation (Charry & Kosits, 2017;

McMinn, 2017).(

Continually, the subject of virtues helps to bridge the gap between the

disciplines. The scientific study of virtues began with ancient philosophy

and religion to find the virtues common to man. A shared interest in

classic Christian virtues like forgiveness, gratitude, hope, love, and

compassion helps link psychology and Christianity (McMinn, 2017;

Sisemore & Blackburn, 2015). Hill (2005) states, "Religion is far more

Finally, Hill (2005) writes about methods to accomplish the integration of

psychology and theology. One of the main points of Hill's (2005) research

is that "a Christian understanding adds overall explanatory power to the

phenomenon under investigation" (p. 101). As the explanatory power of

the Bible increases, it will gain greater authority as a source of knowledge

(Hill, 2005). Faith and psychology integrationist, Entwistle, claims "that

integration should dictate one's orientation to the world with the purpose

of pursuing "godly ends" (Hoover-Kinsinger, 2018, p. 320). Integrating

psychology and Christianity allows psychological work to exist as a

religious enterprise. Additionally, the authority of the Bible as a source of

knowledge expands beyond people of faith. No grander mission

establishes the framework for all future endeavors as a psychologist.

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References

Charry, E. T., and Kosits, R. D. (2017). Christian theology and positive

psychology: An exchange of gifts. The Journal of Positive Psychology,

12(5), 468-479. DOI: ( 10.1080/17439760.2016.1228010 ( (Links to an

external site.)

Hill, P. C. (2005). Living on the boundary: Scriptural authority and

psychology.(Journal of Psychology and Theology,33(2), 98-112.

Hoover-Kinsinger, S. (2018). Hoping Against Hope: An Integration of the

Hope Theology of Jürgen Moltmann and C. R. Snyder's Psychology of

Hope.(Journal of Psychology and Christianity,37(4), 313-322.

Johnson, E. L. (Ed.). (2010).(Psychology and Christianity, five

views.Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

McMinn, M. R. (2017).(The science of virtue: Why positive psychology

matters to the church. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-

com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=5248824.

Octavio J. E., (2014). Biblical worldview: The Christian higher education

foundation for learning.(Christian Higher Education,13(2),(91-100.

DOI:(10.1080/15363759.2014.872495 ( (Links to an external site.)

Sisemore, T. A. (2011). An Introduction to the Christian Psychology Special