Christianity and Psychology

Intersection of Theology and Psychology

Since its inception, Christianity has been focused on matters concerning taking care of the soul (McMinn & Phillips, 2001). In the post-modern world, the notion of the soul has been “hijacked” by the science-informed concepts of the soul. This is what is referred to as psychology which, basically, is the study of the soul.

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Christianity and modern psychology often interact through a battle founded in their respective views on epistemology, values, morality and the role of religion in society. This has led to varying views of psychology among Christians. Some Christians believe that psychology poses danger to the Christian faith while others believe that psychology has a lot to supplement theology as regards caring for the soul. To give example of the confusion that prevails in the matters regarding the soul is the pluralistic nature of the definition of soul. Therefore, the soul is an important point of intersection between Christian theology and psychology.

Role of Christian the Faith

The principle of psychology is to study human nature, provide solutions to its problems, and advance its well-being. Going by this definition, Christians have been practicing psychology for many centuries. The Christian faith and believe in the bible is based on the truth that God reveals about human beings in the Bible. The world was created by God and human beings were created, in a special way, in God’s image.

Christians have learnt from the Bible that human beings are sinners who need salvation. The Bible are written God’s norms for the life of human beings and God’s plan of saving human life by way of salvation that is achieved through faith in Jesus on the basis of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Through this world view of the Bible, Christians are able to contribute to knowledge of psychology through insights in the understanding of human, reason, memory, emotions, appetites, sensation, attention, the unconscious, volition, and the experience.

In addition, Christians have developed the understanding of character, spiritual and moral development. The other significant Christian knowledge is the role of God in both human and spiritual growth, the nature and consequence of sin, body-soul relations, overcoming sin, origin of social and biological psychopathology, and even the foundation of science. The rich theological faith and traditional knowledge make theologians better placed in the practice of psychology.

Inter-Religious application of Psychotherapy

In relation to the application of the Christian psychology practice among non-believers of the Christian faith, Christian psychologists must not be critical of the non-Christians. Psychotherapy, though not salvation, can provide emotional and mental health. Christian psychologist can provide help both in the context of the mental and emotional aspects of Christian life, and use the principles of the Bible in applying Christian psychology to the needs of the people.

The essence of Christian psychology is to help people through difficult moments in life and getting them back on track. This is founded on the Christian belief that God has a plan for mankind. Christian counselors practice their work based on the Biblical understanding of the way God wants intended life to be. They should use knowledge supplementary to the Bible provided they are not contradictory to those principles or subtract from their knowledge. Psychology attempts to answer many questions that are in the hearts of human beings.

The Future of Psychology

Progression of psychology depends on the collaboration of integration of theological and psychological perspectives. There is needed a break from the current status of huddling by theologians and psychologists in the respective practice of psychology. Careers in psychology must be designed to allow for collaboration between theologian psychologists and contemporary psychotherapy. The dialogue between practitioners across the divide needs to be creative and productive.

Collaboration enables the Christian psychologist to practice psychotherapy or counseling in the context of elaborate moral framework founded on history, theology, faith and culture. Non-Christian psychology education programs in doctoral training are exclusively reliant on modernist scientific knowledge. The founders and developers of such secular programs seem to lack knowledge that scholarship that acts as the basis on which the knowledge of modernist psychology is founded goes far back beyond modernity. This is the basis on which Christians can question the truth of science.

Personal Perspective

Though there is need for collaboration and integration of theology-based psychology and modern psychology, the Christian faith should not be compromised. The cause of suffering is sin and overcoming sin is the ultimate goal of Christian psychology. Inter-disciplinary psychology must not be focused on diminishing the significance of the other but integrating efforts in treating the souls of human beings. Christianity and psychology may not be incompatible in all aspects. Certain Biblical principles may antagonize some theories of psychology. Such theories should not be applied in the practice of Christian psychology. Psychology theories that do not contradict Christian principles must not be feared by Christian counselors. God can work through psychology to benefit His creation, human beings.

References

McMinn, M. & Phillips, T. (2001). “Care for the Soul: Exploring the Intersection of Psychology

and Theology”. Downers Grove, IL: InterVasity Press

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