Chapter Review Essays

Chapter Review Essays Chapter Review Essay Chapter Review Essay Chapter Review Name: Institution: Date: Chapter Review Martin Bobgan raises several issues aimed at separating Christianity and psychology. He makes consistent assertions regarding the unsuitability of psychological perspectives in the Christian faith. Bobgan points out that although most Christians continue to turn to psychology, the people who formulated the psychological viewpoints were not Christians but that they were people who denied God. This is an error because psychologists use different forms of psychotherapies to help their clients deal with their problems. While it is true that some of the people who invented psychotherapies were not Christians, it is worth noting that many Christians are involved in psychology, and they have come up with different forms of psychotherapies based on biblical principles. They use these forms of psychotherapies to help their clients. Bobgan notes that the church moved from accepting psychology because of the idea of common grace. He has neglected to point out the continuous dissociation of many Christians from their churches. Some Christians feel that the church cannot help them to solve their psychological problems because they are concerned with worldly perspectives. Thus, for many Christians, it is more effective for them to have a different approach to deal with their problems. Psychologists do not aim to compete with God, as Bobgan seems to suggest. Psychologists realize that they are part of humanity, and they realize their limitations and perfections. Bobgan dismisses any idea of human intelligence and wisdom that results from research. He does not point out that ability of people to have God given intelligence. He fails to point out that God blesses His people with intelligence and wisdom. Granted, some of the most gifted people may deny the impact that God has on their lives, and some may even deny His existence. However, this does not change the fact that God gives gifts to both the evil and good people. As he points out, God makes the sun to shine, and the rain to fall, on both the good and bad people. Bobgan makes a strong case about the importance of seeking God and understanding His word accurately. His final message is concerned about the importance of seeking God when a person faces problems. He does not recognize people’s weaknesses and limitations. He fails to notice that people have different strengths in the Christian faith. Some may not know how to go about seeking God’s help. Furthermore, Bobgan fails to acknowledge that Christians do not live in an ideal world, where everyone else around them is a Christian and applies Biblical teachings in his or her life. They live in a world where people have adopted many religions and why they continue to develop other religions as they see fit. Some do not even acknowledge the presence or importance of any religion. Christians have to interact with these people constantly as they go about their daily lives. They cannot avoid meeting and interacting with non-Christians since this would mean missing the opportunity of i nfluencing their perception of religion, and this would result in failure of bringing more people to God’s kingdom. Bobgan makes a psychological error when he points out psychotherapy and other psychologies do not help people and do not concern Christians. He adds that psychotherapies cannot help Christians to overcome problems of living, and neither can they use such methods to show Christians how to live. This presumption is not correct because there is sufficient evidence proving otherwise. Many Christians and non-Christians have been able to change and solve their problems through behavior modification and other therapies. Some Christians find it more useful to go to psychologists when they have marital problems because that is the only option they know best. Marital problems are some of the things that people have to live with, and many Christians find it necessary to consult psychologists to deal with such problems. In dismissing the idea of psychology, Bobgan notes that it is based on human observation and interpretation, which is subjective and susceptible to error. He instead encourages t he reading and analysis of God’s word. However, he also fails to point out that people interpret God’s word based on their understanding, making them more susceptible to making subjective opinions. This is evident in the fact that people interpret the same Biblical texts differently. Bobgan seems to base his perception of psychology solely on the human soul, and he seems to think that psychologists are an avenue for the salvation of the human souls. He details his point of view by observing the nature of humanity and the importance of seeing human beings as God sees them. By focusing on the human soul, he fails to notice the strength or weakness of the human mind, yet most psychologists aim to deal with the mind as a way of helping people. The problems that people face result from their thoughts and their attitudes towards life. Psychologists do base their opinions and suggestions based on different extensive research on humanity. The fact that they have been able to assist many people over the years by using different approaches is evident of the accurate nature of the studies conducted. Bogan adds that psychologists cannot deal with the sinful nature of man. Psychologists do not focus on human salvation and redemption of souls. They do not aim to take the role of the priests and other spiritual clergy, on whose responsibility towards guiding people’s spiritual health lies. Furthermore, they do not aim to improve a person’s spiritual growth, unless the psychologist involved is a spiritual leader concerned with the person’s spirituality. Integration means that psychologists learn to apply the psychological principles that are relevant to their faith, and which do not contradict their religion in any way. They have to learn what the Bible says about some of the principles that they choose to use. This will ensure that they are not swayed and influenced by secular perspectives. At the same time, the Christians recognize the importance that psychology has on believers. The world has become a difficult place to live in, and many Christians find challenges in their lives. They seek different avenues to help them deal with their problems. Christians take Jesus to be the model of their faith. Many Christian psychologists defend their application of psychology by noting now Jesus was always there to guide people, encourage them, and help them solve their problems. In addition, Jesus commanded those who followed Him to bear each other’s burdens. These burdens are the problems that people carry, and they affect their minds. By consulting a psychologist who shares the same principles of faith, then the Christians are assured that they will get good and credible advice. Failure to have Christian psychologists ultimately results to many Christians seeking help from secular psychologists who do not share the same religious and spiritual beliefs. The Bible also requires believers to confess their sins to one another, and admonish each other. God said that His people perished for lack of knowledge. Christians should be at the forefront in seeking knowledge using godly means, and ensuring that they use this knowledge to help and benefit other people. Integration of psycholog y and theology is a way of making the biblical teachings and guidance more practical for the Christians who find the need to share their problems with someone, and seek help towards solving them.