Christian Psychology

Within the Christian community there is a wide variety of opinions concerning and validating psychology. The word psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental process (King, 2010). The root word psych means “mind” or some might say “soul,” and if you look at it in that perspective psychology could be seen as religious in nature and involves the study of the soul. However, because psychology is scientific study is does not mean to make any religious statements about the human soul, but instead it refers to a non-tangible personal trait of human beings.
Christians on the other hand could take the word ‘soul’ and break it down into how does the soul communicate, experience emotion, reason and interact on a personal level with God. In Matthew 22:37 it says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Christians look at the whole physical person and not the personal traits of humans.
Our faith as Christians can make us better psychologist because Christians look towards the word of God for guidance and wisdom. Christians can take God’s word for truth, they do not need to observe, formulate a hypothesis, test theory, draw conclusion and then evaluate how the earth was created. The bible says God created the universe, it is by faith that Christians believe God spoke and it was good. Christians do not need to follow the steps of the scientific method to believe, it is by faith itself that proves that what is unseen is real. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Christians do not want to overshadow the cross with psychological terminology which can contaminate the Word of God. Christians are led by the Holy Spirit and seek the bible that contains the only pure truth of God.
As a Christian I feel that my knowledge and understanding of God’s word could have a negative impact in the field of psychology. I wholeheartedly believe that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life”, not these other psychologist such as Freud, Wundt, James or any other man that is mentioned in our text. A Christian that does not seek the Lord as its main source but relies on psychological ideas of man will ultimately become of the world and deny the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to heed to God’s word, if we don’t then we really do not believe His words.
In psychology we are to look at one’s experience in life and survey the meaning in life in a positive way, (that is the more meaningful your life the happier you are), the assumption is that experiencing meaning in life causes greater happiness (King, 2010). Some psychologist and many people believe this concept and believe that happiness make people feel that their life is meaningful. I go the opposite, I see life’s trials as God’s way of making me stronger, making me rely on Him. I do not like going through trials, I would much rather live the “happy life” every day and God does allow that quite often but he also sends out situations that are uncomfortable, areas in my life that need to be sharpened, trails that bring me to my knees.
Psychology and Christianity can come together, it isn’t impossible but I feel it would take work on both ends. While reading an article written by Andrew Wommack he stated, “Christianity and psychology have some things in common: They both state that our actions are the product of inner processes. But in describing what those processes are and how to change them, Christianity and psychology take a different approach. For one thing, the very word “psychology reveals an anti-god approach (Wommack, 1997-2012). Andrew also mentions that there are four major tenants of psychology that are incompatible with biblical Christianity, they are; ‘”we are products of our environment, therefore we are not responsible or accountable for our actions, this leads to placing blame for our actions on anything else but on us making us the victims and self-esteem is paramount” (Wommack, 1997-2012). Job 4:8 says, “Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same,” Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” The word of God shows us that our thoughts are what make us the way we are.
The tenant that Wommack speaks of being incompatible with the bible is what I have personally experienced in one aspect of psychology, not all aspects of it. God has given us choices, we are responsible for our choices, and I don’t feel like we should drag up our past and blame others for the choices we make. Yes our environment can influence us but ultimately we are accountable for the actions that lead us to the situations. I feel that maybe when things go astray, or even when things are going good, have I thanked him. I have to look and see how is my walk with God going, am I relying on him or am I doing it all with my own strength.
So, how do you get Christianity and Psychology together, I feel it will take education and integrating it into the curriculum. I had never separated the two before and didn’t realize how it relates to my chosen profession, child development, and now feel that in learning of the difference it will be my responsibility to intergrade and apply this knowledge in my future teachings.

References

King, L. A. (2010). Experience Psychology 1st edition. New York: McGraw Hill.

Wommack, A. (1997-2012). Psychology vs. Christianity. Retrieved from

http://www.awmi.net/extra/article/psychology_christianity

References: King, L. A. (2010). Experience Psychology 1st edition. New York: McGraw Hill. Wommack, A. (1997-2012). Psychology vs. Christianity. Retrieved from http://www.awmi.net/extra/article/psychology_christianity