Running head: ENTWISTLE BOOK

Entwistle Book Review: Integrative Approaches to Psychology & Christianity

LaTasha Daniel
Liberty University Online

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Entwistle Book Review: Integrative Approaches to Psychology & Christianity

Summary
In 2010, David Entwistle wrote a book analyzing the integration of psychology and
Christianity. Entwistle begins by examining from a historical view of the integration of
psychology and Christianity. Entwistle (2010) contends that over 1800 years ago Tertullian asked
a question What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? (p. 8). The answer to this all so
famous quote was later answered in the book, with what was known as the renewing cry of
integration. The cry was, simply put as All truth is Gods truth, so that wherever and however
the truth is revealed, its writer is God (Entwistle, 2010, p. 13). Entwistle went on to unfold the
historical, theological views of integration, making mention of Augustine, the Middle Ages and
Scholasticism.
Entwistle went on further, by discussion the worldview, epistemology, metaphysics and
anthropology perspective of integration. Christian worldview consists of four components, of
which includes: creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. Epistemology is ensue with an
investigation of its own history, with perspectives of certainty and relevant methodologies.
Entwistle believes that there are four epistemological methodologies that offer support to
integrate. They are known as logic, empiricism, revelation, and hermeneutics (Entwistle, 20100.
A metaphysics view approaches the origin of the world and the subject of supernaturalism. Once
the information was gathered it followed by analyzing ethics and beauty in the view of reality.
Entwistle sums up his discussion of worldwide perspective of integration by focusing on
psychological anthropology, which consist of biology and behaviorism. It also included and
touch on the theological anthropology, which includes humanitys finiteness, fallenness, and its
imago Dei (Entwistle, 2010).

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Later on Entwistle explores the five models of psychology and Christianity, these include
the Enemies, Spies, Colonialists, Neutral parties, and Allies models. The Enemies model makes
an assumption that psychology and theology have nothing in common. The Spies depend on
picking out components from the other subject area in order to promote their position. The
Colonist models want to maintain orthodoxy, but may need some pointers from psychology
(Entwistle, 2010). The Neutral parties model sees psychology and theology as independent, but
make reference to certain similarities. Finally, Allies models depend on the unity that comes
from the truth, which believes all truth comes from God (Entwistle, 2010).
Entwistle contends in his book that the Allies model is the model that would best fit
integrative solutions based on the presupposition that Gods exists in both Gods Word
(Scripture) and the book of Gods Works (creation)(p. 205). Since God is our sovereign creator
of all things, this allows separation of disciplines. Surely this belief is backed up biblical in
Genesis1:1 speaking about God is the creator of Heaven and Earth. Genesis 1:1 (MSG) First
this: God created the Heavens and Earth- all you see, all you dont see. In fact, the entire first
chapter of Genesis speaks of God creations. Entwistle left us with a framework that will help
resolve the issues that exists with integration conflict and discipline theories. He believes
solutions for interdisciplinary conflict comes from a sensitive approach towards the conflicts that
arises from facts and perceptions (Entwistle, 2010).
Concrete Responses
The phrase as unto God mentioned in Entwistles book stuck out the most to me. This
phase triggered my mind to a hurtful event at church as a teen. I delivered my first child at the
age of 18, I was told that teen pregnancies had no position in the church. In fact, somebody
mention to me teenage pregnancy was of the world and had no business displayed in the church.

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This devastated me as a teen, I could not understand why this was said in a church. As long as I
can remember, my church said come as you are. My interruptions of this you were inviting the
secular world to come in to learn about Christ and choosing a better healthier life. I could not
phantom my mind to understand that if the very least Christian is supposed to do things with
integrity, honesty, and fairness, why would they judge me. Especially, considering the fact that
all I ever showed and displayed was the love of Christ. As I thought about this event and
reflected back on the book. I begin to think how man is trying to decide for or against
integrating psychology and theology. The truth of the matter you cannot integrate something that
is already integrated. God integrated psychology and theology in the creation of Heaven and
Earth. In the book psychology was preferred to a secular profession or worldly. When God
created the Earth (the world or secular) and Heavens (theology, place of eternity) he already
integrated psychology and theology in a sense.

Reflection
Entwistles strength lies within his ability to cover over 1800 years of conflict between the
two disciplines in a rather comprehensive, yet unbiased manner. His support towards the Allies
model of integration added so much light to his book. I really love his ability to successfully
resolve numerous potential conflict by using his quest for a faithful reading view of
disciplinary integration. Entwistles desire for a cordial unified integration may have been
overemphasized when it came to the details of reconciliation by taking a risk to maintain the
gospel message. As Entwistle attempted to add balance between psychology and theology, he
suggested that the authority power of theology lies within the influences of the ones that were
worldwide. However, on the other hand, he believes that worldwide does not have authority

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power of God being the author of all truth. For Entwistle this can be risky logic by suggesting
that neither psychology nor theology has no primacy causing one to possible downplay the true
statement that Christian worldview must prefer to humanity as a new creation in Christ. For
many people a weakness can be seen by adding favor to one discipline than the other. In
particular when one is dealing with a secular profession (psychology) and theology. It is
important to maintain that both disciplines are equally important. Throughout the book Entwistle
made reference to Millard Eriksons Christian theology as well as suggesting that is general
revelation is extremely significant.
Application
Entwistle made reference to anger having an adaptive value and in order to treat with
anger you must handle with your anger by forgiving the individual or place that has caused pain
in your life (Entwistle, 2010). The unique thing about forgiveness, it does not matter if
psychology and theology are integrated. It is something that everyone desire and demand in
order to heal from hurt and annoyance. Lets imagine I am counseling a married couple who are
on a threshold of a divorce. A few years ago the husband had an affair with another woman.
Although, he's asked his wife for forgiveness, their marriage has not been the same. Here lately
the couple has been arguing constantly and have been going to bed anger. In fact the wife has
asked for a divorce, but the husband suggested counseling. Utilizing the data from the Entwistle
Allies Model, to help the couple to see the importance of forgiving each other. In order to
actually deal with their anger and hurt that was caused in the relationship. I will also remind
them of the importance of not going to bed angry and resolving their anger issues to avoid any
further separation in their unity. Ephesians 4 speaks about unity and maturity in the body of
Christ, by loving one another and living in peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV) Be completely

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humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. The most important thing I want
this hurting couple to realize is forgiveness is the key to overcoming anger. Overcoming the hurt
and anger will give their relationship the ability to become a unified couple.

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References
Entwistle, D. (2010). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity (2nd Ed.). Cascade
Books: Eugene, Oregon