4-MAT Entwistle Review: Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity
Summary
Entwistle's book Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity (2010) is a book that addresses the subject of worldviews. Some of the core concepts are truth, hostility and equality. Theology is the study of biblical application and psychology is the study of earthly applications. They are in the ology field of study and are in line with finding and searching for truth. Entwistle (2010) conducted a study into the relationship between theology and psychology. While conducting his research Entwistle (2010) came forth with the term “All truth is God’s truth” (p.13).
Entwistle introduction at the beginning of his book begins with the title “The Fork
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The development of hermeneutical task aid in asking questions on how scriptures can be applied to situations (Entwistle 2004, p.87). In the pursuit of truth God has given the desire to know him but human ability is flawed and with the help of epistemology we can utilize different methods to obtain true godly knowledge.
The question was asked “integration of what” the answer is theories, models, concepts and precepts of God with the theory of psychology. According to Entwistle (2010) “there is no single definition for integration (p.217). There are obstacles that still exist to integration problems with disciplinary theories (p.251). We must look at what’s ahead of us and not what is behind us (p.271). In order to combine psychology and Christianity we must first provide a true definition. Theology reveals core beliefs and provides human natural physical understanding (p.246).
Concrete
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I disagree with his statement all secular theory is not compatible with sacred theory. Some of the secular theory maybe taken into consideration in order to bring clarity and truth to biblical teaching and instructions. The discussion of what is secular and what is sacred should be established as well as what is the difference between them. He leaves us with the thought that “all that God created was good” and we must not create or establish any artificial separation between what is sacred and what is considered to be secular (p.10). Sacred is said to be the things of God and secular is said to be the things of the world. We can learn from worldly sources and frame our sacred worldviews while applying knowledge with godly concerns
In the first chapter of Psychology in Christian Perspective by Harold W. Faw the author talks about psychology as a subject, the different aspects of the subject and how psychology fits into the Christian world. Faw begins the chapter by describing what others think psychology and his views on psychology as well. He describes that “psychology can be described as a systematic attempt to understand human behavior and conscious experience” (Faw, 1995, p. 12). He then goes on to describe the many different types of specialties of psychology which include, neurobiological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and psychoanalytic. These specialties are then integrated into the Christian worldview. They are all different so they all fit into
To understand Entwistle’s method of work he starts out in the book by using psychology and theology metaphorically by comparing them to a “fork in the road.” No matter the discipline when it pertains to looking for the truth everyone eventually ends up searching for the same goal. Entwistle creatively compares and contrast the five paradigms given by different researchers and authors looking for his own explanation in which he does share with the readers- taking a combination of the useful models already explored in the book excluding anything that is against the thought of religion.
David Entwistle’s (2010) is the author of the Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity. In the book Entwistle embarks on a journey to explore Psychology and Christianity. As the title suggests several approaches that are used to define the relationship of Phycology and Christianity. In the book Entwistle begins to takes us on shows that psychology and Christianity go in two different directions and meet up someplace in the middle. This allows them to provide different approaches to understanding and studying the human behavior. Entwistle, (2010) took a new approach that has rarely been used in other books that discussed the topic of integration. Entwistle, (2010) began to talk about the relationship of psychology and Christianity
This paper will be reviewing the book “Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: an introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations and models of integration, by David N. Entwistle. As the title states, this book discusses how to integrate psychology and theology. It also dives into why it is so important to be able to integrate the two. Entwistle explains that just because the two are different does not mean they should be separated, and that we have to use both our worldviews. “Weaving together perspectives from psychology and Christian theology can help us understand and appreciate humanity more fully than we could either perspective alone.”
“Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity” (2010) is about the purposeful integration of psychology and Christianity. Entwistle, discusses the integration of scripture and nature, holding to historic orthodox Christianity that “Scripture and the natural world have their origins in God’s creativity and revelation” (Entwistle, 2010, p. 136). Theology clarifies the Word of God (Bible), and Psychology corresponds with the works of God. A working definition of integration is offered,
The foundation of a Christian worldview is the belief in a personal God, creator and ruler of the universe. The Christian worldview views the world through God’s word, providing the framework for humanity to live by giving meaning and purpose to life. It defines who Jesus is, human nature, and how salvation is achieved. In essence it is the basis of which Christians behave, interact, interpret life and comprehend reality. A Christian worldview imparts confidence, answers to life’s problems, and hope for the future. In this paper I will discuss the essentials of a Christian worldview and an analysis of the influences, benefits, and difficulties sustaining the Christian faith.
David Entwistle’s Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity David Entwistle's (2010) Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity is geared more towards Christians with conservative evangelical views and provides the reader with an outline to different worldview disputes and truth-seeking groundwork that surround the connection that underlies psychology and theology. In addition to analyzing the possible connection between psychology and theology, Entwisle discusses the consideration of integrating Christian faith with the practice of psychology. “Christian understandings of person-hood, the purpose of human life, our need for God, and the ethical teachings of Christian faith are integral to psychology, not merely parallel to it” (p. 199). Entwistle’s viewpoint on this matter is clearly stated. He believes that it is necessary for theology and psychology to be integrated in order to fully understand human nature.
J. I. Packer presents a compelling summary of how believers should know God through Scripture as well as experientially in living the tenets of Scripture, a true experience of Christ living in us. Packer illustrates God’s nature through Scripture and His character of wisdom, majesty, personal unfailing lovingkindness, yet righteousness, judgment and wrath which do not diminish God’s nature or righteousness. In God’s judgement His wrath is justly shown against sin and those who reject Christ. While reading, a love beyond measure, God’s love becomes self evident. However this divine love is characterized in His terms and not ours. Packer’s key question is not asking if God is for us and again not solely for us on our terms but rather, are we for God? His question is also quality over quantity do we know much
Beyond the Bible is full of useful insights regarding how to apply scripture to doctrine and everyday life. Marshall, Vanhoozer, and Porter are all well-educated theologians. How to faithfully apply Scripture to everyday life is not conclusively agreed upon and laid out in this book, but it pushes readers to think about biblical interpretation in new ways. As mentioned earlier, hermeneutics is meant to be an on-going discussion, not a solo speech.
D.A. Carson introduces the essay by explaining the overall difficulty of interpreting the Bible in honesty and truth. Because the Bible is the Word of Truth, Carson informs the reader of the importance in understanding the Word of God before accepting the difficult task of interpreting it. He continues by focusing on the idea of hermeneutics and three primary ways that the interpretation of text has changed in the past few years.
evaluate these psychological theories while using the truth of the bible as a guide. Doing
Chapter five titled The Arrow and the Target in the book Biblical Preaching, published by Baker Academic and written by Haddon Robinson focus on formulating the homiletical idea and determining the sermon’s purpose. Knowing what the target in sermon preparation is and uses arrows to hit that target by asking the right question that the sermon may connect with the hearers regardless of their knowledge or experience. Stating the exegetical idea in a complete sentence that communicate to listeners is the homiletical idea. The homiletical idea must be clear and precise language that the audience can clearly understand. The homiletical idea is the Biblical truth applied to life (pg.72). This paper will discuss the homiletical idea, measurable results, and purpose in brief detail.
The Bible student, laymen, or pastor will find the principles presented by Fee and Stuart helpful despite the weaknesses presented. The author’s contribution on how to interpret each of the different genres is especially beneficial. The Bible Student will have more knowledge of how to interpret God’s Word when finished with the work. Fee and Stuart achieve their goal helping the reader not only with interpretation, but with application.
Hermeneutics is the study of these questions and whether we can bridge the gap between these different contexts? The significance of each context is crucial for readers to have balanced perspective and balanced reading of historical texts. And context is important in hermeneutics because while the Bible was written ‘for us’ it wasn’t written ‘to us’ .
power. The reasons for studying the Bible will also be discussed along with scriptures and