Relentless Pursuit

How do you integrate psychology into your theology in a biblically sound way? This idea is a concept I’ve been wrestling with this semester in school as I’ve been forming my personal view on this issue. There are many viewpoints within this ideology and my goal is to help you explore those different conceptualizations into understanding how they fit together beautifully. Here are the different major views from individuals that are discussing the ideas between the Christian faith and counseling: 

1. Psychology Rejects Theology 

A major assumption of this viewpoint is that the only source of truth that is reliable and valid is science. Individuals who fall within this camp believe that theology has nothing to say due to its nature of being unscientific in their beliefs. An example of who would believe this are secular psychology departments that don’t try to integrate psychology and theology at all. 

2. Theology Rejects Psychology 

This viewpoint believes the only source of truth is through revelation from the intervention of the Holy Spirit. Individuals in the camp say that psychology is dangerous because its emphasis is too much on emotional and mental health. They believe that the reason why individuals struggle personally is solely from sin entering the world and that the counseling profession consists of guiding clients through the use of scripture alone, without the help of other sources. A strength of this concept is that there is a deepened understanding and application of scripture into the counseling process. Limitations may include a rigid framework, decreased room for general revelation, and that there is no help that can be administered except through salvation. 

3. Psychology Reconstructs Theology 

A major ideology of this assumption is that supernatural elements of the spiritual realm are rejected, and there is a major reliance on humanistic or naturalistic views. Science is considered in a higher light above scripture, which in turn leaves out the conversation in regards to scripture and its ability to provide revelation or supernatural breakthroughs. Similarly, this viewpoint tends to distort scripture and only take principles that directly apply to the psychological perspective.  

4. Theology and Psychology are Unassociated

This viewpoint assumes that revelation and reason are completely separate entities, unrelated in every aspect. Spiritual issues within this viewpoint are only dealt with through the use of a pastor, not through the help of a counselor. Individuals who believe in this, think that there is little to no overlap between counseling and living the Christian life. If these two entities are unrelated, then it assumes that theology and psychology are completely separate ideas, therefore they cannot speak into one another. 

5. Integration of Theology and Psychology 

The main belief of this viewpoint is that everything falls under God’s reign, and recognition that the fall has corrupted our world yet, individuals are still made in the image of God. The psychological side of this position attempts to bring both understandings of each discipline into dialogue by understanding the uniqueness and need for each discipline. Individuals who hold this as their major belief branch out and are able to work in both secular and faith contexts. 

Although this article starts the conversation, it does not end here. The intersection of psychology and theology is a complex, difficult, and a complicated subject to bring up. Yet, with the hope of Christ as the center of our lives, we are able to discern what ideas, topics, and concepts are theologically correct. One thing that I do know though, is that the author of creation created psychology and theology for a reason. First, ultimately to bring glory to God and second, to make disciples of all nations. With this in mind, this is how we must filter the concepts of psychology through a theological lens to discern the best route of administration of both disciples for the glory of God. 

Reference: 

Dr. Norm Thiesen course on Integrative Issues in Counseling, 2022.