Comparing the Five Views Christians Take to Psychology

Comparing the Five Views Christians Take to Psychology By Eric L. Johnson Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Levels-of-Explanation Model Major representatives David Myers Malcolm Jeeves Most common Christian position among Christian college psychology faculty

Levels-of-Explanation Model Humans are best understand in terms of a hierarchy of levels or disciplines of relative complexity that should not be confused Theology Psychology Biology Chemistry Therefore, one’s faith should not affect the other levels or disciplines

Levels-of-Explanation Model Strengths 1. Takes science and research very seriously 2. Allows all scientists to contribute to their discipline, regardless of worldview differences 3. Avoids problems with misinterpreting the Bible, like what happened regarding the earth’s position in the solar system 4. Has shaped contemporary psychology in areas like psych. of religion, forgiveness, and values in therapy

Levels-of-Explanation Model Weaknesses 1. Prevents worldviews from exercising influence, except for secularist worldview! 2. Secularism is unfair to Christians. Forbids Christians work within their worldview/prevents use of Christian values in public mental health facilities 3. Excludes Bible from contributing to psychology 4. Can easily lead to syncretism and the importation modern values regarding topics like homosexuality (D. Myers) of to

Integration Model Major representatives Bruce Narramore Mark Mc. Minn Everett Worthington Stan Jones Dominant approach at Christian graduate schools

Integration Model Major Orientations 1. Interdisciplinary Integration (majority position) Goal is the integration of psychology and theology 2. Worldview Integration (Jones & Butman, 1991) Goal is the proper interpretation of modern psychology according to a Christian worldview 3. Ethical Integration (popular among postmoderns) Goal is to live Christianly in one’s personal and professional life

Integration Model Common Slogan “All Truth is God’s Truth” Key Insight God is glorified when Christians make use of his truth Limitation The way the slogan is often used seems to imply that all secular psychology is true

Integration Model Comparing Quality of Integration 1. Strong Integration Christian thought makes a real impact Examples: Jones & Butman, Mc. Minn, Tan, Sandage 2. Weak Integration Christianity makes no substantial impact Examples: Carter & Narramore, and many who use the term

Integration Model Strengths 1. Takes science and research seriously 2. Allows Christian faith to reinterpret psychology 3. Recognizes the role of God’s “creation grace” in culture and science 4. Seeks to engage the culture and impact contemporary psychology

Integration Model Weaknesses 1. Assumes a dualistic separation between biblical research and research on human beings 2. Assumes that modern psychology is the real legitimate version of psychology/Allows secularism to set the agenda for psychology 3. Minimizes the distorting effects of sin on our understanding = the “Antithesis” 4. Poor integration undermines the lordship of Christ and the impact of redemption (esp. in counseling)

Modern Pastoral Care Model Major representatives Howard Clinebell Anton Boisen Don Browning Integration with Liberal Theology

Modern Pastoral Care Model Strengths 1. Demonstrates more rigorous thinking than evangelical counseling books 2. Evidences significant familiarity with modern/ postmodern psychology 3. Demonstrates considerable psychological sophistication most

Modern Pastoral Care Model Weaknesses 1. Integrates modern/postmodern psychology with liberal theology 2. Insufficiently critical of modern/postmodern psychology. Like liberal theology, it basically embraces contemporary thought, and jettisons historic Christian beliefs and values

Biblical Counseling Model Major representatives Jay Adams David Powlison Ed Welch Wayne Mack

Biblical Counseling Model Counseling that is based exclusively on the Bible (and theology) Concern about the influence of secularism on modern psychology So, skeptical about integration Sin is the primary focus of counsel So gospel is the primary solution

Biblical Counseling Model Common Slogan “The Sufficiency of Scripture” Key Insight Scripture is authoritative and necessary for Christian counseling bec/ it is God’s soul care guidebook Limitation The way the slogan is often used seems to imply that the Bible is scientifically sufficient and its content directly addresses all counseling matters comprehensively

Biblical Counseling Model Major Orientations 1. Traditional Biblical Counseling (Adams, Mack) a. Anti-psychology, anti-licensure, anti-medication b. Assumes a dualistic separation between biblical research and research on human beings c. Negativistic, judgmental tone towards others d. Superficial understanding of sin * Focus on behavior * Repent and all will be well * Lack of awareness of subtle, remaining sin

Biblical Counseling Model Major Orientations 2. Progressive Biblical Counseling (CCEF, SEBTS, CBS) a. Very cautious about modern psychology, but more open to learn from extrabiblical sources b. Greater willingness to dialogue with others c. More sophisticated understanding of sin * Focus on the heart * Focus on “idols” * Willingness to develop relationship and take as long as necessary

Biblical Counseling Model Strengths 1. Bible is God’s word for soul care; BCM takes the Bible seriously 2. Wary of the implicit worldview influences of secularism on modern psychology; Want to avoid syncretism 3. Strive for a theocentric approach to soul care that sees sin as our worst problem and Christ’s work as the cure for the sin-sick soul

Biblical Counseling Model Weaknesses 1. Has not given enough thought to relation between creation and redemption 2. Has not given even thought to relation between God’s word in creation and God’s word in Scripture 3. Overemphasizes the “Antithesis” and its effects and underemphasizes “Creation Grace” effects 4. So typically not theocentric enough

Christian Psychology Model Major representatives: Classical Apostle Paul Julian of Norwich Soren Kierkegaard Augustine John Bunyan

Christian Psychology Model Major representatives: Contemporary Paul J. Watson Roberts Diane Langberg Larry Crabb Paul Vitz

Christian Psychology Model Relation to Integration and Biblical Counseling 1. A middle way between both models that seeks to build on the strengths of each and avoid their historic weaknesses 2. Yet, rightly interpreted, there is no fundamental incompatibility between all three models—just difference in focus and location in culture Integration = Doing research and professional counseling in the public square Biblical Counseling = Work in the Church, Bible-based Christian psychology = Doing research and professional counseling in Christian contexts (churches, counseling centers, colleges and universities)

Christian Psychology Model The agenda of a Christian Psychology The ongoing development of distinctly Christian psychological theory, research programs, and soul care practice.

Christian Psychology Model The agenda of a Christian Psychology A Christian psychology will be shaped primarily by the Christian Scriptures, as well as Christianity’s intellectual and ecclesial traditions. However, a Christian psychology will also be critically informed by other relevant sources of psychological truth, particularly its own reflection, research, and practice, but also the psychological work of other traditions (e. g. , secular psychology), philosophy, human experience, and the other human sciences. While God’s understanding of human nature is the goal of a Christian psychology, given human finitude and the existence of distinct Christian traditions, a Christian psychology will actually consist of many different perspectives found within the historic Christian Church.

Christian Psychology Model The agenda of a Christian Psychology A Christian psychology will not differ noticeably in every respect from modern or postmodern psychology. Only where the psychological feature is worldview dependent

Christian Psychology Model What areas of psychology are not so worldview dependent? 1. Biological mechanics: genetics and neuropsychology, drive motivation 2. Psychological mechanics: animal learning, memory, reasoning, intelligence, language, emotion, school learning, action 3. Social processes: family influences, group dynamics, social skills, social influence

Christian Psychology Model What areas of psychology are more worldview dependent? Those that are… the most subject to sociocultural influence the most complex the most existential and the understanding of which is the most value-laden

Christian Psychology Model What areas of psychology are more worldview dependent? 1. Higher human motivation/uniquely human 2. Personality structures and processes 3. Psychopathology 4. Definitions of human maturity and flourishing 5. Healing of the soul/Psychotherapy, counseling 6. Interpretation of complex social phenomena like attribution, love, relations between motives, and ethical and spiritual dynamics

Christian Psychology Model What major distinctives will characterize a Christian psychology? 1. God is the center of human life 2. Humans are situated within a grand theo-drama in which the triune God is gradually and increasingly manifesting himself and his glory. This theo-drama can be summarized as creation, fall, redemption, and consummation

Christian Psychology Model What major distinctives will characterize a Christian psychology? 3. Creation: Humans are made in God’s image 4. Fall: Humans are sinners and primordially alienated from God and neighbor 5. Redemption: The appropriation by faith of Christ’s work of redemption is necessary for proper human maturity, coping, healing, and strengthening—of great importance for counseling

Christian Psychology Model What major distinctives will characterize a Christian psychology? 6. Consummation: Human life is eschatological— oriented to an eternal future with God 7. A four dimensional relational model of human life

(In contrast to the one- or two-dimensional models of secular psychology)

Christian Psychology Model What major distinctives will characterize a Christian psychology? 8. A multi-level, hierarchical, holistic model of human nature

Christian Psychology Model A Strategic Vision for Christian Psychology 1. We need contributors from multiple vocations: psychologists (researchers are especially important), counselors, philosophers, theologians, pastors, spiritual directors, educators, public policy specialists. 2. We need contributors from multiple historic Christian traditions.

Christian Psychology Model A Strategic Vision for Christian Psychology 3. We need Christian theory-building, research programs, and specific clinical strategies and detailed treatment protocols and paradigms that flow from Christian understanding of human beings. 4. We need a two-track approach To and for the Christian community/the Church a a.

Christian Psychology Model A Strategic Vision for Christian Psychology 4. We need a two-track approach To and within the larger Western psychological community * Contributions to mainstream journals/books b. In areas where there is less worldview dependence In areas where there is more worldview dependence * Involvement in public mental health: pluralistic centers, no longer secular Towards