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| Connecting Faith and Science 2024 Geoffrey W. Sutton & Designer AI |
I am writing a series of volumes on the relationship between Christian Theology and Psychology. What's different about my approach is a focus on how the two disciplines are different and ways some Christians have attempted to find a no conflict relationship. The title of the series is: Irreconcilable Differences?
Puzzles
When a theological perspective and a psychological perspective seem close, the puzzle analogy seems apropos. For example, the Genesis creation story seems world's apart from Evolutionary Psychology, but both influence how Christians view human nature. Francis Collins founded the BioLogos website. As a Christian and a scientist (he led the US genome project), he and his colleagues propose a view of Evolutionary Creation. For them, evolution provides the detail explaining God's way of creation. This contribution to the puzzle allows other pieces to fall into place. Evolutionary Psychology builds on the findings of those focused on other aspects of evolution. Theologians and religious scholars offer nonconflicting ways to view the Genesis 1-3 texts. For example, Marcus Borg talks about the poetic form and structure of the 6 days and identified the purpose of communicating just how sacred is the Sabbath Day when even God Himself rested from his work.
Bridges
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| Bridging the Gap 2024 Geoffrey W. Sutton & Designer AI |
When a theological perspective and a psychological perspective on the same phenomenon exists, but they seem far apart, a bridge analogy might make sense. On the one hand, people on one side or both sides of the gap may erect barriers that keep people from building a bridge to crossover. They may even take verbal shots at each other. On the other hand, bridge builders may begin from one side or both sides to construct a working bridge. The bridge may be temporary and only for the few workers. Later, when the gap seems genuinely bridgeable, a more permanent and attractive bridge may be built, which allows for considerable traffic to pass back and forth.
I see faith-based mental health services as being like a strong bridge with many lanes. There are a few people who won't cross that bridge. Before the bridge there was a serious gap, perhaps even a chasm, between biblical approaches to such common difficulties as anxiety and depression and the methods developed by psychological scientists and employed by psychotherapists. Some lanes are traveled by those who trust that there is no conflict between the Bible and mental health so they accept treatment from a licensed professional who, hopefully, relies on evidence-based treatments. But some lanes offer Christian counseling or Christian accommodative psychotherapy, which adds a measure of comfort as patients see how their faith fits nicely (puzzle analogy) with treatment. Forgiveness therapy is a prime example.
Other Analogies
Everett L. Worthington Jr. (2010) illustrates the relationship between psychology and theology as like a marriage. He also illustrated the relationship using the analogy of a dance. Theology and psychology are dance partners. His selection of analogies reflect his experience. He has written about marriage and couple relationships. And he is a skilled dancer. See Coming to Peace with Psychology.
For ideas relating Christian and psychological views on sexuality, see A House Divided: Sexuality, Morality, and Christian Cultures. Also on Kindle
Reference
Cite this post:
Sutton, G. W. (2024, March 20).Relating science and theology-analogies. Geoff W Sutton Blog. Retrieved from https://geoffwsutton.blogspot.com/2024/03/relating-science-and-theology-analogies.html
Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is www.suttong.com
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Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.
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