Essay Two
“Philosophical anthropology is the study of the character, disposition, qualities and tendencies of human beings” (Entwistle, 2015, p. #). Psychology is centered on the functioning of human beings (citation). Philosophical anthropology integrates both psychology and theology and uses the principles of existence in the world to reflect how individuals view themselves (citation). Through philosophical anthropology we gain knowledge about nature and the functioning of human beings both from Scripture and from science (Entwistle, 2015). Scripture helps us develop a biblical anthropology and from science we develop an understanding of psychology through theories (citation)
Theology is concerned with the nature of God and with his relationship to the world (Entwistle, 2015). Theology encompasses all beliefs or doctrines of a given religion. Christian theology’s central concern is philosophical anthropology. Some distinct contributions in psychology and theology are that psychology is built on scientific and metaphysical approaches in studying behavior. Psychology’s framework for understanding their subject empiricism and rational disclosure are they analyze data and develop theories. Psychologist worldviews are shaped by personal experiences and education. Psychology guides us where it finds the next observation, data, or currently exits. Theology gives us more of how one was before and after the fall. Psychology can help us understand how the fall affected our thinking, relationships and how the unhealthy patterns happened. Psychology creates the framework in which to think about the complexity of human nature and functioning (Entwistle, 2015). Theology provides us with an understanding of who we are, are relationship with God and how we ought to live. What our purpose in life and why are we here? Theology makes observation of humans in terms of finite creature, fashioned in the image of God and corrupted by sin (Entwistle, 2015).
By using both disciplines we can gain a complete view of humanity instead of from one vantage point. I believe that psychology and theology are both are needed and are interconnected. Psychology observes the data, experiences, and calculates why these things have happened. Theology gives us a different perspective in who we were created to be, our relationship with God and our purpose on this earth. There are things that can explain certain behaviors and reasons from our background or experiences. I see theology as our purpose and helps us to become better. We can relate to each other and the created realm as well as the responsibilities. We can understand our limitations and abilities. Psychology can teach us about human behavior, but it cannot provide the larger context that gives meaning and direction of life itself (Entwistle, 2015). Using only one discipline can give us a false view. Like the tree and how it looked healthy from one perspective and but was diseased when seen from another perspective (Entwistle, 2015). Using the example of the fork in the road from the introduction of the book. We know that when trying to understand human nature, we will come to a fork in the road where psychology goes off in one direction and Christian theology diverges in another direction. Although they go off in different directions it does not mean that they oppose, but they diverge at one point (Entwistle, 2015).
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Whereas theology is more concerned with the nature of God and with Gods relationship to the world. Interacting more with bible knowledge, the natural and super natural, the creation, fallen and finite. Theology encompasses all beliefs or doctrines of a given religion. Philosophical anthropology is a central concern of Christian theology.
and its primary goal is to reduce suffering by increasing knowledge and improving the quality of human life. Thus, this requires curiosity and motivation to understand the world, as well as compassion to optimize people’s life. Yet theology can give us more of how one was before the fall and after. While psychology can tell us the how the fall tainted our thinking, relationships and how the unhealthy patterns came about Psychology creates the framework in which to think about the complexity of human nature and functioning (Entwistle, 2015). Theology provides us with an understanding of who we are, are relationship with God and how we ought to live. How did we come to this place, our purpose and what is our destiny? Theology makes observation of humans in terms of finite creature, fashioned in the image of God and corrupted by sin (Entwistle, 2015). It is important to recognize that psychology can describe human beings as they are whereas Christian theology can define them as they were planned to be. Nevertheless, when theologians focus on learning concerning human nature, they encounter the same difficulties by psychologists: they both the investigator and the object of investigation (Entwistle, 2015).
In using both disciplines one can gain a complete view of humanity than we can from one vintage point. I believe that psychology and theology intertwine, and both are needed because their main purpose is to reduce the human suffering. Psychology observes the data, experience, calculates, and created the why these things have occurred. While theology looks at us from a different perspective in who we were created to be, our relationship with God and making sure we walk out our purpose on this earth. However, in Christian theology suffering is a principal of a Christian living because through suffering we get closer to God. In other words, suffering allows Christians to understand others better and minister to them through their difficult moment in their life. In my opinion, new born Christians can obtain better understanding from psychology because they first experience walking with God through pain and suffering and that help them to empathize with others more effectively by intergrading psychology.
Reference
Entwistle, D. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration (3rd ed.). Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers.