Entwistle Review AssignmentSummary

The book’s chapters describe the various theoretical models used to explain the
relationship between psychology and Christianity. The models differ in their ends, purposes, and
the goals they hope to achieve. The first model is the Enemies model, which explains that
psychology and theology are mutually exclusive. The Enemies model emerged during the
enlightenment period, and its proponents often use processes that disunite and isolate the parts of
one discipline from another. The second model is the Spies model, which discards orthodox
theological perspectives and recognizes the potential for religion to promote the well-being of
individuals (Entwistle, 2015). The third framework, the Colonialist model, supports a religious
system that uses Christian doctrine and proof-texts to avail evidence about numerous theological
proclamations. The other is the Rebuilders model, which focuses on recovering psychological
views from the Holy Scriptures and doctrine. There is also the Neutral Parties model, which
helps protect the disciplinary sovereignty of psychology and theology, and views them as
independent domains. The Allies model’s final paradigm asserts that human purpose is expressed
when we are in a proper relationship with God.
Additionally, the book explains the nature of humanity through psychology and theology.
It describes how the nature and functioning of human beings are the key concerns of psychology.
There is also the foundational assumption of one subject and two perspectives, which helps
readers gain knowledge about the nature and functioning of human beings from the Holy
Scriptures and science. Also, the book explains the psychological perspectives used in explaining
the nature of human beings. It is worth noting that psychology uses methodological naturalism,
which seeks natural explanations for the phenomena under investigation. It also uses scientific

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inquiry to explain the nature and functioning of human beings. Additionally, the goals of
psychology are to improve human life and increase their knowledge, especially by reducing
suffering.
Regarding Christian perspectives, Christian theology sees the Holy Scriptures as
discernible and a guide for faith and practice (Entwistle, 2015). According to Christians, natural
and supernatural explanations help understand phenomena. The book helps us understand that
Christian theology is centered around concepts like creation, sin, revelation, and redemption, and
hermeneutical methods gather information from the concepts (Entwistle, 2015). Remarkably,
theological perspectives on philosophical anthropology are organized around understanding
humanity as finite creatures, fallen beings, and image-bearers.
Interaction

Based on my understanding of the chapters, I can comfortably recognize the role of
Chapter 8, which explains numerous models that talk about the relationship between psychology
and theology. I believe chapter 8 vividly explains the models to the readers and helps them
understand facts about Christianity and psychology. One of the Enemies model models helps the
readers understand that psychology and Christianity are mutually exclusive and are guided by
different principles. Additionally, chapter 10 has helped me recognize the intermediate models of
disciplinary relationships. Furthermore, intermediate models, including spies, neutral parties,
and colonialists, focus on combining loyalty to an individual’s tradition and respecting other
traditions (Entwistle, 2015).
In chapter 7, I have also learned numerous aspects about the nature of human beings from
a psychological and theological perspective. I have learned in the chapter that psychological
perspectives help us understand that the world is comprehensible and predictable. Also, the main

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goal of psychological perspectives in explaining the nature of humanity is to improve the quality
of life of human beings through reduced pain and suffering (Entwistle, 2015). Additionally, I
have learned that the theological perspective helps us understand that human beings are fallen
beings and are made in the image of God.

Application

As a counselor, the information I have learned in the chapters of the books is essential in
my practice area. First, the book talks about the nature of humanity from a psychological and
theological perspective, which can assist a counselor in understanding his clients better. From a
theological perspective, human beings are seen as fallen beings, and a counselor should
understand that human beings are sinful (Entwistle, 2015). As a counselor, I should not be hard
on my clients for having committed some mistakes in their lives because of their fallen nature.
My responsibility as a counselor is to encourage my clients to strive to do right and avoid doing
things that harm others.
Additionally, as a counselor, I have understood that human beings are made in the image
of God. Thus, I should encourage my clients to become responsible people because it is a God-
given role (Entwistle, 2015). Also, I have learned that human beings have different religious
traditions, which affect their relationships with other people. As a counselor, I have to ensure that
I offer culturally competent counseling services to my clients, which entails respecting their
diverse religious beliefs, practices, and traditions. Notably, the models explained in the book are
helpful to me as a counselor because they explain that religious beliefs are most different from
psychological principles. Therefore, counselors should treat clients differently based on their
religious traditions and beliefs.

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Reference

Entwistle, J. (2015). The fashioned body: Fashion, dress and social theory. John Wiley & Sons.