Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity, Fourth Edition

Book excerpt: Since the first edition of Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity was published in 2004, this has become the standard textbook on the topic. Now in its fully revised fourth edition, Dr. Entwistle’s book elucidates historical, philosophical, and practical issues in the integration of psychology and Christianity. As in previous editions, the current text provides an introduction to many of the worldview issues and philosophical foundations that frame the relationship of psychology and theology, includes scholarly reflection on the integration literature, and surveys six models of possible relationships between psychology and Christianity, ranging from those that are completely opposed to either religion or psychology, to intermediate models that assert that some limited interaction between them is possible, to viewpoints which suggest that a Christian worldview approach can be used to provide a context for exploring areas of overlapping interest between psychology and Christianity. The current edition considers recent advances in both Catholic and Protestant thinking on integration, including contemporary questions about what evangelicalism is (and is not) that shape evangelical reactions to the integration debate. New content ranges from information about the contrasting views of Tertullian and Augustine, to insights from contemporary psychology about factors that adversely affect the quality and reliability of human thinking, to how conflict over COVID-19 has entered contemporary religious debate. The book is designed to help readers become aware of the presuppositional backdrops that each of us brings to these issues. Questions at the end of each chapter are included to help readers evaluate both the material and their own burgeoning approach to integration. This book is ideal as a textbook for students of psychology and other behavioral and social sciences (social work, sociology, theology, counseling, pastoral counseling) at both the graduate and undergraduate level. It is also written for the broader readership of psychologists, counselors, pastors, and others who are interested in integration.