Customer Reviews

Psychology & Christianity : With Contributions by Gary R. Collins ... Et Al

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I am a huge fan of the "4 View" books IVP has published. They are always helpful and worth reading. This one I was particularly excited about. As a pastor who does alot of counseling, reads a lot on the topic, and is pursuing a DMin in the field, I really wanted a book that would help me get a handle on the various models available. While the book was informative, I really think its the least engaging of all the 4 views ones I have read.

My biggest problem was the way it seemed biased agianst the "Biblcial" model (one of the 4 views). Obviously, in every one of these books my own view (if I clearly fall into one of the 4 camps) will be roughly one-quarter of the book. It will be opposed by a 3 to 1 ratio. That's why you read these books. But what I found a little vexing was the way the editors framed the "Biblical" model in their long (and very informative) introductory essay. While giving a fairly balanced presentation of the other 3 models, the Biblical model is largely dismissed. The one figure mentioned is the founder of the movement, Jay Adams. That is appropriate, but the reader is left with the impression that the movement is essentailly Adams-ism. The fact is that the movement took Adams' initial insights and went in a direction that Adams has largely denounced. The book's author of the Biblical view section, for example, (David Powlison) is one who has been very critical of Adams (and vice versa). The editors' seeming disdain for the Biblical model also seems reflected in the concluding chapter.

Still, a helpful work. The packaging and the indeex and bibliograph are also very nice.

Overview:
In Psychology & Christianity: 4 Views, editors Johnson and Jones layout for the reader four views of modern Psychology in the Christian arena. The bulk of this book is dedicated to articles written by proponents of these four views, one author per view. After each articulation of a view, the detracting view-holders give a short response and critique to the article. This main portion of the book is preceded by an introduction to the views, a brief history of Christians in psychology, and proceeded by some concluding remarks: all of which is co-authored by the editors. It is important to point out that all four views are authored by professed Christians who are striving, in different ways, to apply Biblical wisdom to their field of expertise. It is the differing ways of applying scripture to the field of Psychology that give rise to most of the differing opinions of the authors. This review will attempt to summarize each of the views under four titles: the scientist, the professional, the scholar, and the pastor. It is very likely that the authors of the papers would not label themselves as such, but these seem helpful for categorization.

The Scientist:
The first view that is presented is the "levels-of-explanation" approach. This view is espoused by David Myers, who is characterized in this review by the image of a scientist. In picturing such a man, images of Galileo, Newton, and Kepler might come to mind. The scientist of the view is striving for complete neutrality as he discovers the facts. The emphasis is on observing the world and coming to impartial conclusions based upon what has been scientifically observed. As a Christian, this scientist knows that all of nature has been created by God and reflects His rationality. Knowing this, the Christian scientist strives to know the very mind of God through close observation of His created order. Hunches are not enough for the scientist, he must check every supposition against reality to see if it is correct or false. The scientist strives for empiricism. His guiding verse for this is Deut. 18:22, "when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously." He seeks to judge all psychological claims by this same standard: truth is best verified by predictive power.

What of theology and the Bible. Those are to be kept separate from the scientific process. To protect from collaboration, two witnesses to a crime are best kept separate until they give their testimony. So too, the Bible is best kept out of science. The Christian scientist talks about these two as differing methods for discovering truth. It is his delight when one of these sources independently corroborates the other. This is to be preferred over one guiding and supporting the other.

In summary, psychology is a science and the psychologist is a scientist. The Christian psychologist is best thought of as a Christian scientist. As Kepler, he is able to "think God's thoughts after Him" and glorify Him with this pursuit.

The Professional:
The second view that is presented is the "integration" approach. This view is presented by Gary Collins, who is characterized in this review by the image of a professional. One might imagine a carpenter, a farmer, or (as one critic suggested) a plumber. Such a man is motivated to do the best that he can in his profession unto the glory of God. As such, he uses the Bible wherever it is appropriate. As the carpenter can swing his hammer in love, motivated by the glory of God, beginning his day in prayer, and ending it in worship: so too can the Christian psychologist in the integration model. The Bible can perhaps be used at some point during the day in evangelism to coworkers and clients, or to provide a good work ethic; but it isn't an appropriate tool for the task at hand. It does not deal with the specifics of depression or OCD.

"The right tool for the job" or "whatever gets the job done," is the cry of the professional. He is not a scientist who views the Bible as a contaminate that might ruin the whole process, but it is certainly not the most helpful thing to have at the jobsite. Instead of the method, the Bible provides the motivation. In fact, if the Bible is brought out too much at the jobsite, instead of correct domain-specific knowledge, it will cause the professional to look less qualified in the eyes of his peers. Instead, the professional must prove himself competent in the field in which God places him. For the professional psychologist, this just happens to be the counselor's armchair. The Holy Spirit is useful to such a psychologist as he is guided by His presence: just like everyone else is, whether butcher, baker, or candlestick maker. This is the Biblical approach the author claims, because it is the approach all must take at the jobsite.

In summary, psychology is a profession and the psychologist is a professional. The Christian psychologist is best thought of the same as a Christian professional in any field. As Eric Liddell in the Chariots of Fire any professional is able to feel God's good pleasure as he is performing well and unto the Glory of God.

The Scholar:
The third view that is presented is the "Christian Psychology" approach. This view is espoused by Robert Roberts, who is characterized in this review by the image of a scholar. The author, as a scholar, is a student of history, philosophy, the sciences, and most importantly, the Bible. As such he has a wide view of what it means to be a psychologist. He isn't limited by this century's view of psychology but goes back to those long deceased to help inform him in the best way to counsel a patient. His task, he claims, is to "retrieve the psychology of the past." His heroes in this regard include Baxter, Edwards, Kierkegaard, and the desert fathers.

One of the favorite concepts of such a scholar is the notion of tradition. Of course the Bible is the foundational source of good tradition, but the tradition handed down over the centuries cannot be ignored either. Anything that pulls away from the tradition that has been built over thousands of years can be viewed as a rival to that tradition. However, while he maintains the importance of tradition, the scholar strives to be relevant to his time. He does not write and study only for the sake of his own knowledge. Instead he reframes what he learns so that it is digestible by his peers and contemporaries. His goal is to put the old substance in a modern form. In doing so he attempts to toe the line between "perverting the substance" and "failing to attain the form."

At the end of the day, the Biblical scholar can look much like a pastor, although perhaps more academic and bookish, and a little less pastoral. Psychology is to him a tradition and he is the student of that tradition. The Christian psychologist is best thought of the same as a Christian scholar, rightly dividing Christian tradition from its deviations: in doing this, he is able to see the hand of God throughout the ages.

The Pastor:
The fourth view that is presented is the "Biblical Counseling" approach. This view is espoused by David Powlison, who is characterized in this review by the image of a pastor. This man does not dare to give his own opinion in any matter, but instead trusts in the Word of God above all else as the source of truth. He believes that; "the entirety of human 'psychology' takes place God-referentially whether or not we are aware of it." Any psychology which is not the psychology of the Bible is a rival and a false psychology. This is not to say that God's truth can only flow from the scriptures, much of it is common sense to man as its truth is written on his heart and discernable in the natural order. However, intense scrutiny of this order will invariably miss the overall context and framework which God has revealed to us in the historic-redemptive narrative of scriptures. All other knowledge must be able to fit into the grid and framework provided to us therein. Of course, as a pastor, all knowledge is useful for leading and shepherding the people of God, curing the soul, and converting the lost. The pastor sees competing and modern views of counseling as other professions encroaching into his office as shepherd of the flock and is gravely concerned when others try to fill this role outside of the precepts of the Bible.

In summary, psychology is the functioning of the human soul and the psychologist is a shepherd to that soul. Therefore, the Christian psychologist is best thought of as a pastor, and the non-Christian psychologist is often seen as a usurper. The pastor-counselor is able to glorify God in psychology insofar as he rightly discerns the Word of God to those he counsels.

Concluding remarks:
This review has tried to give an adequate representation of the four views by putting them into four vocational categories. As such, some squashing was necessary. However, if this review is compared to the book being reviewed, many of the phrases that are not direct quotes are paraphrases of actual content found in the essays. Some important points have been skipped, but this review should give you an adequate summary of the four views presented in Psychology & Christianity.

The format of 4 essay writers each writing their own essay and responding to the other three is fantastically done, even if some of the responses are a little non sequitur. The four positions presented are all rather similar to one another, so at times, it's hard to figure out who's really arguing for what. All of them respect psychology and are committed Christians. But, through the grand tradition of debate, all of them manage to mark out their territory effectively and respectfully. If the both pieces of the title appeal to you, then the book will not disappoint. If you're only interested in one or the other, however, this isn't your book.

The authors allow latitude to each of the contributors to tackle this thorny issue of integrating Psychology and Theology. The reader however, may experience a great deal of cognitive dissonance as he or she seeks the "one way" to conduct Christian Counseling. However, in the end the editors clearly encourage a systemic approach to the matter by encouraging the reader that "all truth is God's truth," and that it is only when we listen critically to what others have to say about the matter that we can then move on and develop our own approach. Those individuals desiring a purely nouthetic approach will be sorely dissappointed however, due to the fact that there is only one clear contributor that embraces nouthetic counseling as Jay Adams has outlined during his career. Yet, this is the crux of the book as the reader gets to the end because the editors make clear that while there is value in the nouthetic (philisophical) approach to counseling, there is value to be found in the other approaches as well. It is high time that a work such as this was published and anyone in the field of "Christian Counseling" will find not only a fair and balanced treatment of various positions, but a helpful resource, assisting the reader to work out his or her own integration philosophy with fear and trembling.

This was an awesome book, that I also needed to read really quickly. I had to read it and write an essay about it to get into grad school. I received really quickly, and got admitted into school, and now am enjoying classes!

A thoughtful and well-balanced look at four different integration systems. It was an enjoyable and easy read. Anyone struggling with how to incorporate their Christian faith into their Psychology or counseling practice, will find this book helpful, but I would encourage you to wait a little while because the authors are in the process of putting out a new version that includes a fifth view, which I am looking forward to.

This text was required for a class I am taking but is a great resource for anyone considering any type of counseling, pastoral care or intensive discipleship.

This text does a nice job of explaining and delineating varied views of Christian counseling and psychology. While parts are a bit redundant, outdated and/or rhetorical, all in all this text is a wonderful introduction to the views and controversy.

This book provides insight into the many different views of Psychology from Christian world-views. There are some excellent points made. You may not completely agree with just one of the four views, but it will help to show you where your general beliefs and critiques of psychology are. All four authors are experts in their field of study. I really liked how the book was arranged. Each author has written their own philosophy concerning psychology and Christianity, and following each of the statements the other authors give their critique and response to that view.