Psychology and Christianity: how did they fit?
Respond to the two attached posts with at least 250 words. For each thread, support your assertions with at least 1
Sheldon Kauffman
Christianity and psychology fit together naturally but psychology is significantly more limited in scope. While psychology seeks to increase scientific and professional knowledge of people’s behavior and understanding of themselves and others, its focus is only tangentially connected to interests outside the human psyche (APA, 2018). Christianity, with its primary goal of salvation and reuniting all of creation with the Creator, is all encompassing (Wolters, 2005). Psychology, as with other scientific fields, is limited to that which can be deduced from empirical evidence. True science assumes no more certainty than necessary to explain the phenomena it examines. Christianity draws its understanding from the word of God as revealed in scripture. While the Bible provides excellent insight into the history and nature of man, it expands its truth to explain man’s role in and connection with the rest of existence. Its scope therefor is much broader and deeper than that of science. Psychology attempts to describe, predict, and explain human behavior and humans’ interactions with each other (Jackson, 2016). Christianity gives purpose and meaning to that effort by answering the why rather than merely the who, what, or how.
It is vital as both Christians and psychologists that we continually challenge our own understanding of ourselves and the world around us. For centuries ancient Jews looked for the coming of a conquering hero they believed to be prophesied in scripture. When Christ arrived, a lowly carpenter from a poor family, many did not recognize him because he did not meet their surface expectations. By assuming their existing understanding was complete and infallible, they overlooked the fulfilment of the word they so zealously hoped for. In scientific study, when a finding contradicts what is expected, researchers attempt to verify and replicate the results to gain a broader perspective that accounts for the unexpected finding and expands the field’s overall understanding of the phenomena. It would be unwise to simply discount the contradictory information simply because we expected something else. In the same way, when Biblical truth goes beyond the scope of science it is unwise to reject it simply because our current scientific understanding cannot explain it. Likewise, if a scientific finding contradicts our current understanding of Biblical truth, we must remain open to re-examining our understanding of that truth as potentially incomplete or faulty. The Pharisees naively trusted in their own unquestioned understanding of scriptural teaching yet failed to recognize the truth incarnate when observing it directly (Matthew 23, New International Version; John 11:47-49, New International Version).
Wolters (2005) describes a worldview as prescientific in that it encompasses an innate sense of things that makes scientific understanding possible and gives it relevance. A worldview is so fundamental that it is as much felt or sensed as it is conscientiously considered. If we fail to recognize how it shapes our approach, we risk corrupting any attempt to expand our knowledge. If we throw away any innate sense, we lose our ability to learn or know anything at all. A reformational worldview makes room for both Christianity and science. Christianity provides the why and a fundamental framework for a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it. Psychology, as a science, provides a systematic approach for verifying and verbalizing that understanding in terms of this earthly realm, particularly concerning ourselves and norms of the “creatio tertia” (Wolters, 2005).
Jessica Aune
Modern psychological science and Christianity fit together in the common goals of an empirical investigation on the guiding principles of human thought and behavior, the alleviation of human suffering, and the promotion of healthy, human thriving. However, it is apparent that underlying explanations of the motivations and interpretations (including the origins) limit the consensus of these common goals. Christianity, with its long history, derives its purpose and its questions from the account of Scripture and historical interpretations of church fathers whereas psychological science, with its younger organization, focuses its alignment on the merits of its dedication to its theoretical founders (of varying philosophies) and empiricism (Johnson, 2010). The question is, how, as a Christian, can an individual engage psychological science?
Psychological Science in Practice
Psychology as a science in practice holds to standards of inquiry that are perceivable (or at least intelligible) to an outside observer. The methods are commonly divided into qualitative and quantitative searches based on observations, neural imaging, and questioning of participants. In this way, key insights into the value of gathering information using standard methods have led to viable treatments in many human ailments. These methods have also allowed psychologists to identify more predictable patterns of behaviors that may cause harm to self and others. As a Christian, engaging in psychological science as a practice can amplify Biblical truths. An example of this can be found in Paul’s explanation in Philippians 4:6-7 about not being anxious but to be prayerful. This coincides with the introduction and a study by Ellison et al. (2014) that found that healthy relationships with God and through prayer eased symptoms of anxiety. It is important to note, however, that this agreement is not always the case and that, in this regard, psychology as a profession (and in some theoretical contributions) differs from the Christian perspective.
Psychology as a Profession and a Theoretical Basis
Psychology is defined as a field that examines the cognitive processes and choices (both mental and physical) available to us as human beings. It inherently seeks to explain, predict, and modify human behavior (American Psychological Association, 2020). In particular, psychology’s most noteworthy organization, the American Psychological Association (APA) (2020), seeks to be the ultimate voice and authority in matters it deems to be of psychological importance. Currently, there are 54 divisions and some 12,000 members who regularly peruse and contribute to the content of the numerous journals published (APA, 2020). While this organization is based in the United States, it touts equal clout on an international scale when it comes to research and recommendations for conduct (APA, 2011).
It is here that the Christian psychologist must clearly discern and deliberately interact with psychology. The position of integration, and of Jones (2010) in particular is that we seek to be a voice of engagement and a voice that speaks through the convictions of Christian belief understanding that the Bible holds the utmost importance but is not an exhaustive resource on the intricacies of human development. This relationship has already integrally shaped the field and profession of psychology in the acknowledgment of the vital role of spiritual formation in human well-being (Jones, 2010). This continued relationship is fundamental in order to continue our Christian calling to be salt and light (Matt 5:13-
scholarly citation in current
- Each reply should incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in current APA format.
- Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible