Entwistle Book Review

1457 Words6 Pages

Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration by David N. Entwistle covers an extremely topical and controversial issue of whether psychology and theology can be successfully integrated into contemporary counseling practice. In fact, the author starts his book by emphasizing that psychology and Christianity have been largely considered as mutually incompatible and exclusive. However, Entwistle (2010) does not agree with this idea and supposes that faith can be an integral component of all daily activities, including counseling practice. Entwistle provides an in-depth look at both and extends a way to model the two in such a way they supplement …show more content…

As the writer indicates, our worldviews are not so much exclusive as much as they are cultivated from our life experiences, environment and education. According to Entwistle, “The worldview with which you were raised, modified by your personal experience and reflection, will inevitably affect your view of psychology, Christianity, and the possibility of integration. (Entwistle, 2010, p. 63). Entwistle challenges the view about incompatibility of theology and psychology, as “The interaction of psychology and theology is virtually inevitable due to their mutual interest in understanding the ambiguities and mysteries of human behavior, and healing human brokenness” (Entwistle, 2010, p. 51). This statement may serve as the key idea preserved throughout the entire book since the author strives to prove that the two disciplines of psychology and Christianity can be combined and definitely used for the benefit …show more content…

The author is clear and honest about his views and provides a wide spectrum of personal experiences and reactions on issues he discusses. Besides, the book content is a masterful combination of theoretical material and empirical information, which contributes to the awareness of the association amid theology and psychology. The author’s conviction in the possibility to integrate psychology and Christianity is clear-cut throughout the entire book and his point of view raises no doubts. Secondly, it is one of the book’s