In a small classroom at Liberty University, students enrolled in an upper level psychology course have discussed the various models of the integration of psychology and Christianity as proposed by David N. Entwistle (2015). The models that were discussed include Enemies, Foreign Spies, Domestic Spies, Colonialists, Rebuilders, Neutral Parties, and Allies. One specific part of the curriculum for the class includes the input of each student on which of these seven models seem to be the strongest. In this paper the case for why a particular model is the most effective is reasoned with corroborations derived from a multitude of discussions, class notes, the Bible, and Entwistle’s (2015) and Johnson’s (2010) books, both about the integration of
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This is all done while still maintaining a personal biblical worldview. Those who follow the Allies model understand that, as a result of sin, every individual’s worldview is flawed (Johnson, 2010). For that reason, it is more beneficial to use and compare diverse worldviews when working towards truth. As mentioned previously, having such diversity in the process of seeking truth is an excellent way to use critical thinking and come to well-rounded conclusions. The Allies model demonstrates interdependence in the way it uses all four methodologies of knowledge, which leads to it’s openness to diverse worldviews. Allies strongly encourages individuals to reevaluate interpretations of scripture, this is another example of how Allies is attributed as being receptive to the views or interpretations of other people. Those who follow the Allies model believe that wisdom will enter the heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to the soul; discretion will protect man, and understanding will watch over them (Proverbs 2:10-11). Therefore, the Allies model supports that individuals should do all that they can to receive knowledge and understanding in order to have a pleasant soul and fall under the protection of discretion and understanding. One last strength of the Allies model that it is considered to be non-manipulative (Entwistle, 2015). B.E. Eck (1996) describes the non-manipulative characteristic of the Allies model as the necessity to find legitimate truth from both psychology and Christianity with no need for altering data, like some of the other models. Just as the other models, however, Allies is not exempt from potential flaws and
This is all done while still maintaining a personal biblical worldview. Those who follow the Allies model understand that, as a result of sin, every individual’s worldview is flawed (Johnson, 2010). For that reason, it is more beneficial to use and compare diverse worldviews when working towards truth. As mentioned previously, having such diversity in the process of seeking truth is an excellent way to use critical thinking and come to well-rounded conclusions. The Allies model demonstrates interdependence in the way it uses all four methodologies of knowledge, which leads to it’s openness to diverse worldviews. Allies strongly encourages individuals to reevaluate interpretations of scripture, this is another example of how Allies is attributed as being receptive to the views or interpretations of other people. Those who follow the Allies model believe that wisdom will enter the heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to the soul; discretion will protect man, and understanding will watch over them (Proverbs 2:10-11). Therefore, the Allies model supports that individuals should do all that they can to receive knowledge and understanding in order to have a pleasant soul and fall under the protection of discretion and understanding. One last strength of the Allies model that it is considered to be non-manipulative (Entwistle, 2015). B.E. Eck (1996) describes the non-manipulative characteristic of the Allies model as the necessity to find legitimate truth from both psychology and Christianity with no need for altering data, like some of the other models. Just as the other models, however, Allies is not exempt from potential flaws and