Introduction
Entwistle’s statements on theological and psychological reflection have several implications for the connection between Christianity and psychology. According to Professor Entwistle’s (2015) integrative approach toward Christianity and psychology, God’s relationship with the world lies in creation and redemption. In contrast, psychological reflection is necessary for helping humans understand the mechanisms that affect their behaviors and how such behaviors can be mediation.
Thus, the connection is that redemption, or salvation, is associated with healing the workings of a person’s mind. For example, if an individual struggles with a mental disorder and substance abuse due to childhood trauma, religion alone cannot save them because of the suffering that occurs in their mind (Lehmann et al., 2022). If no psychological healing occurs, it is unclear how humanity can be saved from sin from a theological point of view.
The Relationship Between Psychology and Christianity: Implications of Theological and Psychological Reflection
A question that many people struggling with mental health issues address to God is how they can be all-loving if they have to suffer emotionally. Psychological and Christian perspectives can serve a greater good when they are used to understand this question and help a person free themselves of the negative mental space that has prevented them from living a whole and happy life. In particular, while the Christian faith will show people what their righteous behavior should be, the psychological perspective will point to positive practices they can employ to become fulfilled.
The example of Eve and her decision not to obey the word of God shows that a person’s inner struggles can reflect their conflict with faith. Eve’s wrong decision consequently led to more bad choices, thus bringing suffering and pain to humankind, as described in Genesis 3:2-5. Moreover, when Adam and Eve chose not to obey their Creator and instead to fulfill their desires, they instantly became estranged from Him. However, when people decide to mend their relationship with God, they are likely to experience healing and free themselves from the strain that bad decisions put on them.
Therefore, it is essential to view psychological and theological reflection as connected and use them to heal a person from the consequences of their decisions. For instance, in Christian psychology, the similarities and differences between theology and psychology are not isolated (Papaleontiou‑Louca & Kitromilides, 2021). The connection between the two can be found in God’s creations, such as the study of genetics or disease or the environmental makeup of humans, including their beliefs, coping skills, personalities, and other qualities (Entwistle, 2015). All humans are inherently flawed, and it is essential to acknowledge that psychology and theology may not coincide in some cases because they have varied perceptions about various world truths.
Conclusion
To conclude, thinking that psychological or theological reflection is better than the other is flawed logic. Instead, it is necessary to understand that there are aspects of Christian reflection that can be true in some instances and aspects of psychological reflection that are true in others. When the circles of the two overlap, a person can reap the benefits of an open-minded and spiritual approach that caters to their unique needs and experiences. As there are truths about the world outside the Bible and truths outside psychology, every person can apply them to their life specifically to promote emotional healing and positive decision-making.
Reference
Entwistle, D. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity (3rd ed). Wipf & Stock Publishers.
Lehmann, C. S., Whitney, W. B., Un, J., Payne, J. S., Simanjuntak, M., Hamilton, S., Worku, T., & Fernandez, N. A. (2022). Hospitality towards people with mental illness in the Church: A cross-cultural qualitative study. Pastoral Psychology, 71(1), 1–27. Web.
Papaleontiou‑Louca, E., & Kitromilides, I. (2021). Psychology vs. theology: Friends or Foes? Human Arenas, 6(5). Web.