Relationship Between Psychology and Christianity

Relationship Between Psychology and Christianity

Christian faith and the concept of Christianity provide inspiration and strength to human living and life experiences. Although psychology and Christianity may recognize as two different entities, they influence each other and help in understanding the fundamental human processes and how to solve the diverse challenges they face. When discussing an integrated approach, it may be a controversial subject to explain the concept of psychology and Christianity. Most people may consider no relation between the Christian faith and psychology as they are different entities indeed on their own (Entwistle,2021). However, different integrative models have been laid to describe the relationship between psychology and Christianity. For some, psychology is a science, and Christianity is a religion, and the two can never be consolidated as one concept. However, with detailed study and research, it is without a doubt that both subjects should be integrated for the betterment of humanity’s understanding (Entwistle,2021). Amongst the several models, this essay shall discuss the Allies” model and how it connects the two concepts of psychology and Christianity. The paper will explain how the Allies” model integrates the models, its strengths and limitations, views of different approaches to this concept, and factors that lead to the integration of psychology and Christian faith.

Allies Integrative Model on Psychology and Christianity

Psychology can be defined as the science of the mind and behavior in a particular field of activity. At the same time, Christianity is a religion based on Jesus of Nazareth person and their teachings. Christianity is based on beliefs, values, and morals, while psychology bases its understanding on facts and knowledge of a particular concept. Individuals need to understand the foundational principles of what they know to appreciate the need to integrate psychology and Christianity. The Allies model is a type of model that tries to conform that psychology and Christina’s theology are both subject to the authority of God. This model exemplifies the integrative relationship that is the best between psychology and Christianity (Bible,2007). The Allies model usually integrates psychology and Christianity to achieve a common purpose while remaining faithful to both. In essence, psychological observations impact our human cognition experience and emotions significantly. Allies believe Christianity and psychology are helpers, associates, partners, or affiliates. The two are individual units that perform tasks collectively to accomplish a specific goal: finding the truth. In essence, this model can be compared to the Venn diagram. In this diagram, psychology will be the circle, and Christianity will form the other circle. Then In the middle, the two circles overlap; in our case, the two circles are Christianity and psychology.

According to the Allied model, God is the sovereign being. The Allies model holds a belief that all human beings are all subject to God, who is sovereign and that it is from God that we get all the truth. The Allies model tries to integrate Christianity and psychology by discerning the underlying unity and how the truth is used to arrive at a godly end. The allies are premised on the sure belief that God is truth and that truth is revealed through the Book of God. According to this model, the book of God’s works (Bible,2007). According to the Allies model, psychological ideas and even the results are meant to be tarnished by secular beliefs. One of the constraints of the allies is the issue of how to allow some room for the Christian-based difference of view.

Strengths of the model

A model must have strengths that its followers dearly hold for it to be functional. The Allies’ model is exceptional from other models in its creation for integration, while the others were created to connect the two concepts. The model brings out the integration in a cohesive manner bridging the gap between the practical application and theoretical understanding of the Christian faith and psychological concept(Bible,2007). One of the main strengths of the model is its perspective of presenting the two concepts through an individual understanding f their perception. The model does this by presenting three questions to an individual, the first two beings,” where am I and where am I trying to go(Entwistle,2021). By an individual answering these questions, they can get a better understanding of their personal view of the world. The third question functions as a gateway to engaging in psychology to their Christian faith because one should ask themselves,” how can I get there? The model offers an opportunity for an individual the chance to integrate the two components on a personal ground hence providing a better understanding.

The model proves strength through its ability to guide an individual in linking the two concepts without the biasness of having to side with one spectrum to be correct. The model justifies everyone’s understanding of the two concepts and how they connect two. Entwistle explains that to understand psychology and Christian belief, one must be able to answer the three questions on a personal level (Entwistle,2021). Similarly, the Christian scriptures explain that one can understand oneself before getting to others. Additionally, like in Colossians 3:11, Christ unites all the nations despite their ethnicity and origin, making Christianity wholesome. This concept describes that despite the diverse differences in people, they can still be one in Christ (Bible,2007). So, can the two concepts be integrated as long as there is a solid foundation and justification?

Acknowledgment of God’s power and word and that He created his works is another strength of the Allies’ integration model. Based on the model, everything on earth and heaven is rooted to be from God and His power. When the model states that God’s word, which is the scripture, and His works are under a more great hand, psychology is the discipline that is to be applied(Entwistle,2021). the recognition of God in the model and His connection to human experiences express how Christian beliefs connect with psychological concepts. For example, God teaches in the word in Corinthians 1:10 about unity through Paul. So Christians should emulate and adopt that in uniting the two concepts and acknowledging the need for humanity and human existence to be better (Bible,2007).

Limitations of the model

The ally’s model has several limitations, the main one being its biasness toward serving God and God alone without offering recognition and acknowledgment of the need for science. The model is based on God’s power and ability to control everything in the world, which gives less credit to the science of psychology, which most people may require should be appreciated. Psychological understanding and application are based on scientific and biologically understanding, and the model robs this of psychology and only regards both psychology and Christian belief should be integrated based on God’s need for unity (Bible,2007). the biasness of the model is due to its description that both the two spectrums are under God’s control instead of sharing equal credit to both God and science for Christianity and psychology, respectively.

Secondly, the model fails to appreciate the need for independence of both aspects and that one can decide on how to integrate them personally. By basing it on God’s instructions, it obligates every Christian to believe that everything should be done based on Christian beliefs, denying them the freedom to connect the two scientifically. Thirdly, the model does not provide an appropriate integration point for the two concepts for the atheists. The integration point would not be effective for atheists because they do not acknowledge the presence or power of God.

Conclusion

Understanding the relationship between psychology and Christianity remains controversial despite the studies, theories, and models presented to help explain the integration. The ally’s model proves to be effective in proving integration between the two spectrums through one being able to answer three personal life questions that open up them to the world. Despite its effectiveness, the ally’s model proved to be limited to God’s understanding giving all credit to God and not recognizing and serving the scientific concept of psychology(Entwistle,2021). The concept provides a basis for integrating the two concepts in humanity’s understanding because they are all considered to be under God’s power and in His hands. The allies’ model provides a firm integrative avenue for Christian belief and psychology in consideration that one can have a personal view of both forms view pint and fundamentally, they’re all under God’s authority and submission, so they are one. The final understanding is that God has created psychology and Christianity, so they are one. 

References

Entwistle, D. N. (2021). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Bible, H. (2007). New International Version,(Holy Bible). Australia. Author.