Book Review: Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity
Book Review: Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity
Summary
Entwistle’s (2015) text Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: An Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations, and Models of Integration is a text that explores the intersectionality between psychology and theology, and asks one important question: to what extent, if at all, should these two disciplines be connected? It might seem an esoteric question at first, but it has very deep, important roots. These questions, according to Entwhistle (2015), speak to the very root of both disciplines—and both have something to offer the other, suggests the author. Despite the long conflict between these two very different schools of thought, Entwhistle (2015) attempts to build a bridge of understanding between psychological thought and theological thought.
In fact, the goal of both psychology and theology is the same; the goal for both the priest and the psychologist is to heal some part of the human psyche. “The interaction of psychology and theology,” Entwhistle (2015, pp. 55) suggests, “is virtually inevitable due to their mutual interest in understanding the ambiguities and mysteries of human behavior, and healing human brokenness” (Entwhistle, 2015, pp.55). Although there are tensions between science and theology, those tensions do not have to play out in the psychological and theological realm, according to Entwhistle (2015, pp. 20). In fact, Entwhistle (2015) gives a number of accounts in which the Christian faith has supported and assisted in the development and re-discovery of scientific ideas. Entwhistle (2015) makes no suggestion that the Catholic Church (and Christianity as a whole) has not been destructive to science in some ways, but he also notes that it was vital in the re-discovery of lost ideas like the heliocentric solar system (Entwhistle, 2015, pp. 20-21). However, the conflict between these two powers is part of what has been formative for both forces.
Entwhistle (2015) clearly believes in the integration of theology and psychology, writing that there are five types of relationships that one can expect when dealing with the integration of psychology and theology; he names these five as enemies, spies, colonialists, neutral parties, and allies (Entwhistle, 2015, pp. 180-195). Enemies oppose the integration of theology and psychology; spies are classified as Christians who understand psychology but apply it only to their own internal religious system (Entwhistle, 2015, pp. 180-195). Colonialists are those who take ideas from psychology and use them in their own belief models; allies are those who support the integration of psychology and theology (Entwhistle, 2015, pp. 180-195). Finally, neutral parties express no significant feelings about the integration of the two structures one way or another.
As the reader begins to understand what Entwhistle is advocating—that is, a complete integration of theological ideas with psychological ideas—it becomes more clear that Entwhistle supports the integration of theology and religion as “a vehicle to express psychological truths and foster psychological benefits” (Entwhistle, 2015, pp. 208). The whole point of the conclusion is to underscore the understanding that Entwhistle has suggested from the beginning of the text: that psychology and theology can and should be integrated for the betterment of patients. Psychology and theology are inextricably linked according to Entwistle (2015). Without this integration, both theology and psychology are only half as effective as they might otherwise be together (Entwhistle, 2015, pp. 23-29).
As a child, I was sleeping in my bed when I awoke to see a strange man standing over me. I screamed for my mother, as a child is wont to do; she and my father came running, my father wielding a bat, and the man fled through the open window. Thankfully, no one in my family was harmed that night, but it was not the last time I saw the man who climbed through my window. I was six years old the first time I saw my stalker, and it was another two years before I saw him again, but he was a constant influence in my life. My parents increased security and we made all kinds of changes to our lives after the incident. The next time I saw my stalker, he was hiding outside my school.
It was during this very trying time that my family started to go to church again. My mother refers to us as “lapsed” Christians in the years before this occurred, but it pulled my family back together again and pulled us back into the church, which is definitely a positive thing. It was seven years before my stalker was captured, and during that time he almost took one of my younger brothers captive. When the police finally caught my stalker, we found that he was a mentally ill schizophrenic man who had previously expressed pedophilic tendencies for children of my age and general appearance. We went to court to try to get him committed, and my family was successful; he remains committed in a psychiatric institution to this day, and my family and others remain safe from his psychological torture. I feel nothing but pity for him today; I hope that he has found peace and has been able to find God.
Reflection
Overall, the idea of Entwhistle’s text is very solid. There is something to be said for encouraging the development and integration of science and theology; it is a very forward-thinking way to look at the issues associated with Christianity in the modern world. There are benefits to integrating science, especially because many Christians today are starting to see a more scientific side of life. Christians who want to see the integration of science and theology are likely to enjoy the book and the messages that are contained in the text.
One of the most important messages of the text is that psychology and theology not only can be integrated, but that they must be integrated for the betterment of the human condition. One of the most difficult things for a person to do is to make decisions that lead to the betterment of his or her life; however, one of the messages of this text is that psychological help and theological help are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they can complement each other nicely. This is very important for people who are struggling, especially for those who are struggling with mental illness. Sometimes when people are struggling with mental illness, it can seem as though God has abandoned them. This text suggests that there are ways that both God and science can help address the problems that are commonly associated with mental illness. The only downside to the text is that it sometimes lacks depth in terms of psychological analysis. It would be much more convincing if the author demonstrated more understanding of psychological illness and dysfunction rather than only focusing on the philosophy.
Action
As a psychological professional, it is important to integrate theological beliefs into one’s practice. God is eternal and omnipotent; He is part of everything, and He is everywhere. When practicing as a psychologist or in a therapeutic position, it is important to engage God whenever possible in a positive manner. Giving people who are experiencing difficulties the appropriate scientific care is important, but so too is giving them hope and assurance that God will love them no matter what—because they are His children. Therapy will give people the potential solutions that they need based on their brain chemistry, but assurance that God loves them is something that cannot necessarily be gotten through traditional therapy.
As a therapist, being right with God is another important aspect of integrated care. Of course, no one is perfect; a therapist cannot necessarily be perfect. However, there has to be a constant progression towards God and towards being the best person that we can be in God’s eyes; it is only then that we can truly help our clients reap the dual benefits of therapy through science and God’s love and care. People can find peace when they really try to integrate these two aspects of care, and as therapists and leaders, it is important to facilitate the paths for people who are struggling with mental health, sadness, depression, and related issues. Learning to follow God is about more than just reading the Bible; leading others to God’s light is a very important part of the process as well.
References
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
