Integrative Approach To Christianity By David Entwistle

Great Essays
In the book, Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: An Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations, and Models of Integration, the author David N. Entwistle (2010) discusses the relationship between psychology and theology. Entwistle (2010) explores the potential for both psychology and theology to work together as a harmonious approach. The text gives an in-depth look into many opposing arguments about integration and if the two are possible or even needed. The reader receives a profound analysis of the history of integration of psychology and Christianity, the role of individual worldviews, the models of integration, and many other interesting concepts.
Entwistle (2010) does a remarkable job of guiding
…show more content…
He does an exceptional job with explaining several years of conflict between two approaches. In addition, he draws the reader in with his ability to offer concise yet objective explanations of integration. Overall, I thought the book was detailed and well thought out.
My only observation with the text is how easily applicable is it to your everyday reader. I wonder if the text is written practical enough for your average person to be able to understand its contents. Would a pastor, ministry worker, small group leader, or avid reader be able to dissect the information in a way that is easily applicable to their congregation, small groups, or personal growth? Currently, the book is written more for psychology/collegiate students or professors teaching a course in the field of counseling. Some of the terms and concepts may be difficult to those not experience in this field of study. To the average eye, I believe the book can seem a bit intimidating. From experience, the book is a difficult
…show more content…
The text is filled with concepts, ideas, and methods, that caused me to think. The concept of integrating psychology and counseling is very new to me; however, it is not something that I am opposed to. I plan to read this text again in hopes to apply some of the information to my future endeavors.
Application
In my future counseling ministry endeavors, I believe Entwistle’s (2010) text will serve as a useful source for developing a treatment plan for clients. As a result of this book, I am persuaded that integrating both psychology and theology will give me a more holistic approach when treating clients. Before reading this book I would have leaned towards more of an all biblical point of view, but now I am open to the possibilities of incorporating the two disciplines. I plan to consistently examine my worldview, so that I will remain open to my client’s views and needs. I desire to continue being an open conduit for God’s spirit, therefore I will practice humility and honesty when serving my clients. Additionally, I will allow the Holy Spirit to empower me with truth, so that all my serving will be unto the glory of God. I will ground my counseling ministry in love, compassion, and empathy for those that I serve. Building an atmosphere of trust, hope, and truth is what I will strive to

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Abstract This paper on integration of religion and spirituality in therapy will address the integrity, relevance and competence issues in professionals who practice integrating spiritual and religious dimensions of treatment and care for patients. The following literature review will explore why it is essential for the wellbeing of clients to explore their religious and/or spiritual beliefs as a treatment option. There is other literature that is incorporated within this paper that discusses the connection between mental health and spirituality. A clients’ religious and spiritual views would be valuable to the therapeutic process because the client’s religious and spiritual beliefs may be sources of strength and support to achieve treatment…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Summary David Entwistle the author of “Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity” goes into great depth in explaining the integration of psychology and Christianity by introducing different worldviews and philosophical foundations that form a relationship between psychology and Christianity. Entwistle also explains the history aspects between the two from faith and science then moves into the different models of integration explaining how they can co-exist with another. Psychology and Christianity can both have useful viewpoints on how to understand the human nature and human functioning and to get the whole picture both is needed not just one. Entwistle focus is on bringing psychology and Christianity together to bring an understanding…

    • 736 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Mcminn Reflection

    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages

    . Reflection “Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling” by McMinn should be used by counselors, pastors, coaches, and students who are interested in counseling and wants to integrate psychology, theology, and spirituality together when helping someone facing a situation. McMinn (2011) uses the foundations on psychology, theology, and spirituality throughout the whole book discussing how it affect each area such as in prayer, scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption. With all the areas, he introduces them clearly and gives good examples to understand from. One concern with McMinn book would be addressing the clients problems that could be related to their spiritual development.…

    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Book Review for Hawkins & Clinton 's The New Christian Counselor The book, The New Christian Counselor: A Fresh and Biblical and Transformational Approach, was authored by Dr. Ron Hawkins and Dr. Tim Clinton. The book is an excellent guide for Christian Counselor 's seeking to integrate the bible and psychology, and to help clients through a Christian transformational approach to counseling. Summary There are numerous important concepts in The New Christian Counselor book.…

    • 1394 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Raphael Newton Rev. Robyn Edwards Course #BCO500 May 16, 2016 Define Biblical Counseling Jesus Christ is the center of all true Biblical counseling. According to FamilyLife, 2008, “Biblical counseling is an approach to counseling that uses the Bible to address the issues in the lives of individuals, couples, and families. The Bible teaches that our thoughts, motives, attitudes, words, and actions flow from the sinful selfishness of our hearts.” (http://www.familylife.com/).There are three elements which I consider central to the understanding of biblical counsel. These are the Holy Spirit, Sanctification, and the role of the church Pastor.…

    • 702 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    What is the integration of psychology and Christianity? To answer this question, it has to be clear what are the three words, integration, psychology, and Christianity mean. The word integration means that combining two or more parts together so that they work as one. Then what are psychology and Christianity? Before modernity, church was and had authority that it was the foundation of truth; however, after modernity, reason, objectivity, logical reasoning, became the foundation of truth(Johnson, 2010).…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Christian Integration

    • 290 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Entwistle’s (2015) quote “we should expect to find parallels between psychology and theology because they have a common Author, but integration is far more than simply identifying parallels between psychology and theology” opened my eyes to the endless possibilities regarding integration (p. 250). Sometimes when one ponders how Christian integration should look it seems as if by just throwing Bible verses into the mixture all will be good, but that is not the point of integration. Christian integration needs to be lived out as a lifestyle, showcasing God’s love for all of humanity. When looking at psychology through a Christian worldview one is able to marvel at all the intricacies God incorporated within humans.…

    • 290 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Essay Concepts and abstract thought within counseling, and indeed Christianity in general, needs to become active in our lives. Aside from this, there is little point to studying the concepts, as it all becomes head knowledge, instead of a way of in which we live out our lives. Counseling in the Local Church taught with an aim of taking ideas into turning them into things which fuel vulnerable community within the church. I was affected by the class through the material, the thoughts presented, though did come away with some questions. While there were many readings which piqued conviction and consideration for the subject of church community, it was Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together which had the greatest impact on my life.…

    • 1690 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It is a book that needs to be read with great attention and thinking to understand meanings and evaluate ideas critically. I personally like this book because it heavily relies on critical reasoning and logic that is back to back like dominos in a line. One point relies heavily on another, and the reader must follow along to understand how each idea connects to the next like each domino hits the…

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    William James Psychology

    • 1425 Words
    • 6 Pages

    William James undertakes a tremendous task in this journey: he seeks to combine religious experiences into the psychology field of his time. James provides a unique perspective due to his education as a physician but he also provides sufficient experience as a psychologist and philosopher. During this time period, scholars of different fields of study were just starting to communicate with each other. This collection of lectures is James’ attempt to integrate religion and spirituality into psychology. This was unheard of for his time because psychology was brand new in its title as a science.…

    • 1425 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Much Christian Counseling

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages

    According to Tim Clinton, “Much Christian counseling is now done as a variant of cognitive-behavioral therapy.” (Clinton, 2005) It has become a preference amongst Christian counselors, and “at the core of this practice is the process of assessing, identifying, and renouncing faulty thinking, adopting instead the truths and insights of Scripture and right thinking.” (Clinton, 2005) Many patients who come to therapy live the lies that they have told themselves, and it is up to the counselor to expose the lies and exchange “them with the truths of Scripture.”…

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Religion as a Coping Mechanism Religion and psychology have been in conflict for many decades. After all, it was once a common belief during the medieval ages that mental illnesses were a result of witchcraft or demonic possession. Both witchcraft and demonic possession are considered to be acts against God. However, those who have studied psychology have liberated mankind from these religious superstitions. Fortunately, throughout time, people have a different and more open perception on mental illnesses.…

    • 2091 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    Powlison notes that in the mid-eighties, the controversy over the validity of psychotherapy greatly increased. (Stafford, 1-2) The approach of integration was formally developed in the 1970s, not specifically by a person, but by people, such as counselors, who feared that secularism formed too many components of psychology and recognized the need to incorporate the teachings of the Word of God into their counseling and psychology methods. Since then it has had a major influence on evangelicals. It has become the basis of many counseling programs, books, and organizations.…

    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    Journal Article Summary and Critique Though the focus of the article is on the role of spirituality in current psychology training programs, the article first addresses the issues surrounding the definition of spirituality. Spirituality can be defined in many ways. For example, Sue and Sue (2016) defines spirituality as “The life force that resides within individuals which makes them inherently worthy, and connects them to other living creatures” (p. 759). Others define spirituality as an individual’s specific chosen religion.…

    • 1284 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Next, it is important that pastoral counselors show their journey of spiritual formation in order to better relate and reach their client. Lastly, pastoral counselors must be cautions in not taking on the pressures of their clients. Communicating and trusting in God to handle the situation puts Him in charge. Ultimately God reigns supreme and has control over the situations that we do not. Communicate with Him and make your request know.…

    • 1032 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays