Psychology and Theology: Worldview Issues, and Models of Integration
Psychology and theology are two disciplines that explore the nature of human beings, their behavior, and their relationship with God. However, they often have different assumptions, methods, and goals that may lead to conflicts or misunderstandings. How can psychology and theology work together to provide a holistic understanding of human nature and a comprehensive approach to human flourishing? This blog post will examine some of the worldview issues that affect the integration of psychology and theology, and some of the models that have been proposed to facilitate their dialogue and collaboration.
Worldview Issues
A worldview is a set of beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape how one interprets reality and guides one’s actions. Different worldviews may have different answers to questions such as: What is the origin and purpose of human life? What is the nature and role of God? What is the source and standard of truth? What is the nature and cause of human problems? What is the solution and goal of human development?
Psychology and theology may have different or even incompatible worldviews, depending on their sources, methods, and goals. For example, some psychological theories may be based on naturalism, which assumes that only natural phenomena exist and can be explained by natural causes. Naturalism may reject the existence or relevance of God