A Comparative Analysis Of Theological And Psychological Worldview Perspectives For Synthesis

Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation from the year 2012 in the subject Theology - Practical Theology, grade: 4.0, language: English, abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to analyze what selected, leading theologians and noted psychologists have written, throughout history, about mankind's deepest needs in order to discover the extent, if any, to which these two worldviews may be integrated, without compromise of Biblical truth. "What," asked Tertullian in the third century, "has Athens to do with Jerusalem? Or the Academy with the church?" The Greek city of Athens was the home of the Academy, an institution of secular learning founded by Plato in 387 B.C. For Tertullian, Christian theologians inhabited a completely different mental world to their pagan counterparts. How could there be a meaningful dialogue between these two polar opposites? This question has resonated throughout history. Regarding theology and psychology, the question is being hotly debated today and is the primary focus of this research paper. "Is there any place in the church for psychology? If so, what is that place?" Today's desperate search for spiritual and emotional problem resolution, inner fulfillment and clear answers to the complicated questions of life, have all exploded into a gigantic industry, based on naturalistic philosophies. Recovery programs, twelve-step seminars, counseling centers and hordes self-help book are everywhere! Millions of Christians are seeking spiritual help and self-understanding, with modern-day maladies, in psychological theories rather than Scriptural truths. The methodology employed here will involve a critical series of objective convergence/divergence studies of six theologians and six psychologists representing different models of highly respected theological thought and psychological theory. It will be evident, to the reader, that these critiques and especially in the concluding chapter, that the personal presuppositions of the author affirm the world

Psychological Perspectives and the Religious Quest addresses the relationship between psychology and religion from empirical, historical, clinical and theological vantage points. Historical and theoretical considerations include attention to the history of psychology of religion in the United States and issues in the assessment of religious psychopathology stemming from Freud's analysis of religion. The essays present empirical research through feminist and qualitative methodologies applied to the psychology of religion, and experimental method utilized in the investigation of intrinsic and extrinsic religion, as well as an examination of the religiosity of psychologists interested in religion. They also discuss pastoral psychology and psychotherapy from psychoanalytic perspectives, feminists perspectives, and from the vantage point of the identity, ethics and type of discourse within these interdisciplinary fields. The conclusion consists of theologically oriented considerations of the role of liturgy and narrative in the formation of the self and the impact of losing a mother at birth upon the theological worldview of a clergyman.

This book’s aim is to enrich and deepen our psychological understanding of biblical concepts and personalities. The book contains masterful analysis of biblical personalities, such as Job, Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus. It may help theologians to contextualize their discipline by bringing it into contact with contemporary psychological and existential issues and tensions, both at an individual and a societal level.

Since the first edition of Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity was published in 2004, this has become the standard textbook on the topic. Now in its fully revised fourth edition, Dr. Entwistle's book elucidates historical, philosophical, and practical issues in the integration of psychology and Christianity. As in previous editions, the current text provides an introduction to many of the worldview issues and philosophical foundations that frame the relationship of psychology and theology, includes scholarly reflection on the integration literature, and surveys six models of possible relationships between psychology and Christianity, ranging from those that are completely opposed to either religion or psychology, to intermediate models that assert that some limited interaction between them is possible, to viewpoints which suggest that a Christian worldview approach can be used to provide a context for exploring areas of overlapping interest between psychology and Christianity. The current edition considers recent advances in both Catholic and Protestant thinking on integration, including contemporary questions about what evangelicalism is (and is not) that shape evangelical reactions to the integration debate. New content ranges from information about the contrasting views of Tertullian and Augustine, to insights from contemporary psychology about factors that adversely affect the quality and reliability of human thinking, to how conflict over COVID-19 has entered contemporary religious debate. The book is designed to help readers become aware of the presuppositional backdrops that each of us brings to these issues. Questions at the end of each chapter are included to help readers evaluate both the material and their own burgeoning approach to integration. This book is ideal as a textbook for students of psychology and other behavioral and social sciences (social work, sociology, theology, counseling, pastoral counseling) at both the graduate and undergraduate level. It is also written for the broader readership of psychologists, counselors, pastors, and others who are interested in integration.

As disciplines, psychology and theology share an overlapping interest in the nature and functioning of human beings. This book provides an introduction to many of the worldview issues and philosophical foundations that frame the relationship of psychology and theology, includes scholarly reflection on the integration literature, and surveys five paradigms of possible relationships between psychology and Christianity. The book is designed to help readers become aware of the presuppositional backdrops that each of us brings to these issues, and to understand various approaches for relating psychology and Christianity as partly based on presuppositional assumptions. Questions at the end of each chapter are included to help readers evaluate both the material and their own burgeoning approach to integration. This book is ideal as a textbook for students of psychology and other behavioral and social sciences (social work, sociology, theology, counseling, pastoral counseling) at both the graduate and undergraduate level. It is also written for the broader readership of psychologists, counselors, pastors, and others who are interested in integration.

Three essays reflect the exploratory nature of Religion and Personality -- a field still in its infancy in divinity studies. Each of the eleven authors applies the insights of psychology, both theoretical and clinical, to important elements of Christian thought and religious meaning. New light is shed on such central concepts as faith, guilt and salvation. The relation between belief and myth is defined, and the old controversy about demythologization receives fresh impetus.

Professor David Entwistle's Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity is now available in a fully revised 3rd edition. Changes and additions have made throughout this unique volume, including: * 42 additional pages * expanded list of models discussed * more questions for discussions, and * an updated bibliography. As disciplines, psychology and theology share an overlapping interest in the nature and functioning of human beings. This book provides an introduction to many of the worldview issues and philosophical foundations that frame the relationship of psychology and theology, includes scholarly reflection on the integration literature, and surveys five paradigms of possible relationships between psychology and Christianity. The book is designed to help readers become aware of the presuppositional backdrops that each of us brings to these issues, and to understand various approaches for relating psychology and Christianity as partly based on presuppositional assumptions. Questions at the end of each chapter are included to help readers evaluate both the material and their own burgeoning approach to integration. This book is ideal as a textbook for students of psychology and other behavioral and social sciences (social work, sociology, theology, counseling, pastoral counseling) at both the graduate and undergraduate level. It is also written for the broader readership of psychologists, counselors, pastors, and others who are interested in integration. ""This book . . . has been an invaluable text that has provided a unifying foundation to my course in Psychology and Christianity for years. This text provides the history, philosophical foundations, and conceptual framework to assist students in the complex task of relating Christianity to psychology. It also provides the metacognitive knowledge needed to evaluate psychological theories and research findings far into their future."" --Scott White, Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Psychology, Belhaven University ""With this third edition, David Entwistle has improved an already excellent text. The new edition includes significant and expanded coverage of intellectual virtues, as well as contemporary issues in integration, such as how integration might be affected by the emphases of different denominations. Throughout, Entwistle focuses on the possibilities of, and obstacles to, truly integrative work. Students using this new edition will benefit both from its comprehensiveness and clarity."" --John D. Carter, Adjunct Professor, California Baptist University ""For twenty years, I have taught an introductory course on Integration . . . Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity has been on my required textbook list for almost a decade. David Entwistle masterfully tackles critical topics such as kinds, barriers, models, assumptions, and methods of integration, and he weaves church history and philosophy into each discussion. If integration has been a daunting subject, this third edition is a plucky companion for the learning journey."" --Keith A. Puffer, Professor of Psychology, Indiana Wesleyan University ""A personal travel guide into the beautiful and bewildering landscape of Christian faith and its complex relationship to psychology, with a thoughtful and careful buildup of the worldview and philosophical underpinnings of the various approaches."" --R.J. Filius, Health Psychologist and Psychotherapist ""Writing in an engaging personal style, Dr. David Entwistle provides an up-to-date, thoughtful, carefully researched overview of a huge array of scholarly literature relevant to the psychology/Christianity integration. He manages to strike just the right balance, providing a 'big picture' perspective on the field while carefully attending to its many nuances."" --Julie Exline, Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University Praise for the second edition: ""Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Chr

Over a century ago, psychologists who were fascinated with religion began to study and write about it. Theologians and religious practitioners have responded to this literature, producing a fascinating dialogue that deals with our fundamental und- standings about the human person and our place in the world. This book provides an introduction to the important conversations that have developed out of these interchanges. The dialogue between psychology and religion is difficult to study for a number of reasons. First, it requires knowledge of both psychology and religion. People with a background in psychology often lack a solid understanding of the religious traditions they wish to study, and theologians may not be up to date on the latest developments in psychology. Second, it requires conceptual tools to organize the material and understand the basic problems involved in any attempt to connect the science of psychology with religion. These concepts can be found in many places, for instance in the writings of philosophers of science, but they are complex and often hard to follow for those without a proper theological and philosophical ba- ground. Finally, authors who write on the topic come to the study of psychology and religion from a variety of academic and personal backgrounds. This makes for wonderful diversity in conversations, but it makes understanding and mastery of the material quite difficult.

The Rosemead Psychology Series is a continuing series of studies written for professionals and students in the fields of psychology and theology and in related areas such as pastoral counseling. It seeks to present current thinking on the subject of the integration of psychology that grow out of the interface of psychology and theology. The data and theories of both theoretical and applied psychology are treated in this series, as well as fundamental theological concepts and issues that bear on psychological research, theory, and practice. These volumes are offered with the hope that they will stimulate further thinking and publication on the integration of psychology and the Christian faith.