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Psychology in Christian Perspective: An Analysis of Key Issues
This book follows the standard progression of introductory psychology texts and adds a Christian perspective that contributes needed diversity to the study of the mind and behavior. Topics range from ESP to moral development. Each chapter provides an introduction and overview of a given theme, a discussion of issues, an exploration of how psychological and biblical perspectives might be complementary, and a recap with suggested readings.
- GenresChristian
200 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 20, 2024
A CHALLENGE TO RETHINK CHRISTIANITY AND PSYCHOLOGY
At the time this book was published in 1995, Harold Faw was associate professor of psychology and head of the psychology department at Trinity Western University, in British Columbia. He explained in the Preface, "I have one major purpose in writing [this book]: to stimulate you to think about the relationship between your Christian faith and contemporary psychology... I hope that each of you will experience a growing appreciation for and commitment to both God's Word and the field of psychology." (Pg. 9)
He notes, "According to James Beck and James Banks, there are three distinct views about the place that psychology should occupy in the life and thought of the evangelical Christian community. One group of Christians welcomes psychology, incorporating its concepts freely into both understanding and practice and attempting to equate theological and psychological concepts wherever possible... A second group of believers is wary of psychology and often strongly critical of it. These believers regard it as a threat to the purity of true Christian faith and as a movement that directly competes with an orthodox biblical position... A third group of Christians holds a more central position. For them, psychology is a source of useful insight, but one that ... must be carefully evaluated in light of biblical teaching." (Pg. 15-16)
He admits, "in the realm of our present experience, the Bible leaves a great deal unsaid. For example, it does not address in any direct way the question of whether children experiencing severe abuse should be removed from their natural families. Instead, it provides the large framework of respect and love for all persons within which this and many other specific issues needs to be considered." (Pg. 19)
He asks, "Why are some Christians more willing than others to implement physical interventions through chemicals or brain surgery? I suspect that most of us would consider surgical or chemical treatments if we were desperate and were convinced that counseling and providing loving support no longer held any hope of providing relief in a crisis. But wide disparity would be evident as different people decided whether such a point had been reached." (Pg. 33) He also suggests, "there is a legitimate place for behavioral techniques, provided they are used to encourage appropriate actions that honor God. However, we should remember that our dependency is ultimately on God. Behavior modification must be regarded as a temporary bridge over a particular hurdle. The bridge should be dismantled as soon as possible to guard against dependency on inferior sources of aid." (Pg. 78)
He notes that "A further concern with the concept of self-esteem in the light of biblical truth centers on the sin of pride. Arrogance and pride are condemned in Scripture... as something God hates. We are warned as well that pride leads to personal disaster... In addition, a spirit of humility is consistently affirmed... If a positive self-concept is linked with pride and incompatible with humility, it clearly has no place in the life of a disciple of Christ." (Pg. 134)
This book will be of keen interest to Christians thinking about the relationship between psychology and Christianity.
At the time this book was published in 1995, Harold Faw was associate professor of psychology and head of the psychology department at Trinity Western University, in British Columbia. He explained in the Preface, "I have one major purpose in writing [this book]: to stimulate you to think about the relationship between your Christian faith and contemporary psychology... I hope that each of you will experience a growing appreciation for and commitment to both God's Word and the field of psychology." (Pg. 9)
He notes, "According to James Beck and James Banks, there are three distinct views about the place that psychology should occupy in the life and thought of the evangelical Christian community. One group of Christians welcomes psychology, incorporating its concepts freely into both understanding and practice and attempting to equate theological and psychological concepts wherever possible... A second group of believers is wary of psychology and often strongly critical of it. These believers regard it as a threat to the purity of true Christian faith and as a movement that directly competes with an orthodox biblical position... A third group of Christians holds a more central position. For them, psychology is a source of useful insight, but one that ... must be carefully evaluated in light of biblical teaching." (Pg. 15-16)
He admits, "in the realm of our present experience, the Bible leaves a great deal unsaid. For example, it does not address in any direct way the question of whether children experiencing severe abuse should be removed from their natural families. Instead, it provides the large framework of respect and love for all persons within which this and many other specific issues needs to be considered." (Pg. 19)
He asks, "Why are some Christians more willing than others to implement physical interventions through chemicals or brain surgery? I suspect that most of us would consider surgical or chemical treatments if we were desperate and were convinced that counseling and providing loving support no longer held any hope of providing relief in a crisis. But wide disparity would be evident as different people decided whether such a point had been reached." (Pg. 33) He also suggests, "there is a legitimate place for behavioral techniques, provided they are used to encourage appropriate actions that honor God. However, we should remember that our dependency is ultimately on God. Behavior modification must be regarded as a temporary bridge over a particular hurdle. The bridge should be dismantled as soon as possible to guard against dependency on inferior sources of aid." (Pg. 78)
He notes that "A further concern with the concept of self-esteem in the light of biblical truth centers on the sin of pride. Arrogance and pride are condemned in Scripture... as something God hates. We are warned as well that pride leads to personal disaster... In addition, a spirit of humility is consistently affirmed... If a positive self-concept is linked with pride and incompatible with humility, it clearly has no place in the life of a disciple of Christ." (Pg. 134)
This book will be of keen interest to Christians thinking about the relationship between psychology and Christianity.
September 25, 2024
I did not get much out of this but that does not mean the book is bad. It is dated and the church is (hopefully) more open to psychology now and we know more about mental health. I also think this is better aimed at someone very skeptical of psychology rather than someone such as myself.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews