Psychology and Christianity: Five Views

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from the lecture notes focusing on the relationship between psychology and Christianity.

Assimilation

The view in which some psychologists incorporate Christian beliefs into their psychological practice, often disregarding conflicts with scientific psychology.

Levels-of-Explanation View

A perspective that maintains a clear distinction between disciplines of psychology and theology, asserting that all levels are important yet different.

Integration View

A stance held by Christian counselors aiming to synthesize findings from psychology with biblical teachings.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

A program designed to train clergy in providing spiritual care, especially in hospital and hospice settings.

Biblical Counseling

An approach to counseling that adheres strictly to biblical principles, rejecting secular psychology.

Transformational Psychology

A viewpoint suggesting that psychology must be transformed by religious experience and spiritual disciplines.

Anton T. Boisen

A figure in the assimilation view, known for his experiences in mental illness and religious insight.

David Myers

A social psychologist known for the Levels-of-Explanation View and popular psychology textbooks.

Christian Psychology

A perspective that encourages Christians to develop psychological theories rooted in their faith.

Jay Adams

A pivotal figure in biblical counseling known for his book 'Competent to Counsel'.

Counsel for Clinical Pastoral Training

An organization formed to train and supervise seminary students in CPE.

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education

An ecumenical organization for CPE formed by the amalgamation of several groups.

Clyde Narramore

An evangelical psychologist who promoted the integration of psychology with Christian beliefs.

James Dobson

The founder of Focus on the Family, known for integrating psychology with evangelical Christian teachings.

E. Fuller Torrey

A psychiatrist advocating for the abolition of psychiatry and better treatment for those with brain diseases.

Thomas Szasz

A psychiatrist known for his critique of mental illness as a myth and the medical model of psychiatry.

Paul Vitz

A psychologist who critiqued humanistic psychology from a conservative Christian perspective.

William Kirk Kilpatrick

A Roman Catholic author critical of modern psychology's compatibility with Christianity.

Ed Bulkley

An author advocating biblical counseling over psychology.

David Powlison

A key figure in biblical counseling who articulates the integration of faith and psychological understanding.

Minirth-Meier Clinic

An evangelical psychiatric hospital founded by integrational psychiatrists Frank Minirth and Paul Meier.

Humanistic Psychology

An approach that emphasizes individual potential and stresses the importance of growth and self-actualization.

Nouthetic Counseling

A form of biblical counseling that emphasizes the sufficiency of the Scriptures for addressing spiritual issues.

Secular Humanism

A belief system that espouses human reasoning and ethics without theism.

Integrationist

A psychologist who seeks to unify the findings of psychology and theology.

Contemplative Prayer

A style of prayer focused on deep reflection and connection with God, associated with transformational psychology

Biblical Integration

The process of applying biblical truth to psychological theory and practice.

Grace

Unmerited divine assistance given by God for regeneration and sanctification.

Autonomy

The right of individuals to make their own choices and decisions.

Holistic Care

An approach that considers physical, emotional, social, economic, and spiritual needs.

Behavior Modification

The use of learning principles to change or eliminate unwanted behaviors.

Reasons Conservatives Avoided Counseling

Liberals were embracing it.

Revivalism.

Fundamentalist/Modernist Controversy

Illustration of LOE

love is viewed differently by a physiologist, a social psychologist, a poet, and a theologian

Applications of LOE

Psychological science may support family values

Psychological science may challenge faith

Critique of Myers’ LOE

Belief guides perception—all research involves values

Psychology and theology are not distinct.

Myers suggests science changed his view on sexual orientation—but offers no scientific evidence in favor of his view.

Biblical response to LOE

God created people heterosexual—male and female (Gen. 1:27-28)

Marriage is heterosexual—1 woman and 1 man (Gen. 2:22-24; 1 Cor. 7:2)

Homosexuality is not “natural” (Rom. 1:26-27)

Sexual orientation is not a biblical concept (1 Cor. 6:9-10)

Homosexuals are changed by the gospel (1 Cor. 6:11)

Who authored The Psychology of Counseling and had a radio program, Psychology for Living

Clyde Narramore

Stanton Jones

Clinical psychologist and theologian known for integrating psychology and Christian faith.

Critique of Integration

Jones performs intellectual slight of hand when he segues from considering secular science through Christian eyes to assuming the validity of professional psychotherapy without adequately addressing the potential conflicts with biblical principles.

Clyde Narramore

Popular psychologist who was evangelical and conservative—states psychology can be helpful (if taught by a believer, and carefully integrated)

Larry Crabb

A Christian psychologist and author known for emphasizing the integration of psychological principles with spiritual truths and focusing on emotional healing and personal growth.

James Dobson

A prominent Christian psychologist, author, and founder of Focus on the Family, known for promoting traditional family values and advocating for psychological insights aligned with Christian beliefs.

What view includes the psychology of the Bible, the great Christian psychologists of the past (Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, and Kierkegaard)

Christian Psychology

Critique of Christian Psychology

Psychology is a contemporary science focused on behavior and mental processes.

Psychology is not the same as the wisdom of past Christian theologians/philosophers—although there is valuable insight to be gained from integrating both perspectives.

Roberts and Watson

authored the chapter on Christian Psychology

Coe and Hall

authored the chapter on Transformational Psychology

Criticisms of Transformational Psychology

It seeks to transform psychology into religion.

It states that unbelievers cannot truly practice psychology.

It relies on monastic spirituality.

It embraces an ancient/medieval contemplative mysticism that is out of touch with the common struggles of everyday people and tends toward an elite, privatized spirituality.

Coe Why Biblical Counseling is Unbiblical

Moral wisdom is embedded in creation.

Proverbs models seeking this moral wisdom.

Biblical counseling doesn’t seek this extra-biblical wisdom, but is guilty of an over reliance on scripture.

Proverbs 3:19-20

teaches that the world was created by God, not that wisdom is embedded in the world (Transformational psychologists view)

Bernie Zilbergeld

clinical psychologist who authored The Shrinking of America: Myths of Psychological Change and has contributed to the critique of misguided cultural narratives in psychology.

Psych-1

How people work

Psych-2

Detailed knowledge of human functioning

Psych-3

competing theories of human personality

psych-4

practical applications to psychotherapy

psych-5

a system of professional and institutional arrangements

psych-6

a mass ethos that defines a group or culture's shared beliefs and values

Is psychology necessary for a person to progress in sanctification?

no

non-physical “problems in living”

are at their core “spiritual problems”

2 Peter 1:2-3

our salvation is sufficient for our spiritual needs

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Scripture is sufficient for our spiritual needs

legitimate/helpful psychology

descriptive psychology

Heath Lambert

a christian psychologist who authored the 95 Theses

Martin and Diedre Bobgan

authored books arguing that the biblical counseling movement is unbiblical