Chapter 6: The Nature of the World: Metaphysics 1. The cosmology (the study of the physical universe) of Genesis points to the creation of humankind as the crowning achievement in which the creation is completed and it is declared to be “very good.” Modern cosmology demonstrates that our planet is relatively insignificant and peripheral on a cosmic scale. Consider Psalm 8. What does this Psalm contribute to the following question: Can human life be both eternally and existentially significant, and yet at the physical periphery of the universe? Explain. 2. List and explain two differences between naturalism and supernaturalism regarding the ultimate nature of the world and the purpose of human life. 3. Can one be scientific and still believe in the supernatural (the existence of God)? Why or why not? 4. In discussing miracles, the author suggested that a difficulty exists in that it is too easy to dismiss miraculous claims by explaining their effects on a purely naturalistic basis, or alternatively, too easy to claim as miraculous things which are statistically uncommon but readily explicable in natural terms. Give an example of which of these extremes is most evident in your own thinking. Explain. Do you too readily accept or too readily reject claims of the miraculous? Explain. Chapter 7: The Nature of Humanity: Philosophical Anthropology 1. The Old Man in Clemens’s story compares a man to a steam locomotive, his behavior solely attributable to his heredities (genetics), habitat (environmental reinforcement), and associations (cultural and socialization). List and explain at least one factor that determine or influence behavior. How determinative is this factor? Explain. How much freedom do human beings have in regulating their own behavior? Explain. 2. List and explain one assumption of psychology that can be an obstacle to integrating psychology and Biblical theology. List and explain one assumption of theology that can be an obstacle to integrating psychology and Biblical theology. 3. The author pointed out that every psychologist and every theologian grounds their psychology or theology in a philosophical system, whether or not it is explicitly articulated or carefully considered. Every psychology and every theology is done from an antecedent (a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another) worldview perspective. Do you consciously attend to the way that your philosophical assumptions and worldview shapes your psychological and theological positions? Explain. List and explain at least one way you can become more aware of these assumptions. (Refer to the Ruggiero text.) 4. List and explain at least two ways that reading this chapter has helped you to identify or change your philosophical anthropology? Chapter 8: Understanding and Making Models 1. Summarize the relationship of psychology and theology as understood by each of the following models: Enemies, Spies, Colonialists, Rebuilders, Neutral Parties, and Allies. 2. How are Rebuilders different from, and similar to, Colonialists? Explain. 3. How is the Spy different from and similar to, the Colonialist? Explain. 4. The author claimed that “God gave birth to the subject of psychology (human behavior) when He created human beings. God granted us the foundations of Christian theology when He gave us His Word. Psychology and theology are His subjects, both in the sense that He is sovereign over them and that they should serve His ends. Psychology and theology, rightly understood, are thus seen as allies, both of which are subjects on One Sovereign God.” List and explain at least one way in which this model is different from the other five models. 5. List and explain at least one implication of the claim that “out allegiance is neither to psychology nor to theology, but to God who reigns over all spheres of which we are subject. Chapter 9: Antagonistic Models of Disciplinary Relationship: Enemies 1. List and explain at least one way that the presuppositions of Albert Ellis and Jay Adams lead them to ask different questions. List and explain one way that the questions they each ask end up promoting antagonistic answers. 2. List and explain at least two factors that might encourage a secular psychologist to be opposed to religion? 3. Given what you know about Abraham Maslow’s theories (the hierarchy of needs), how did you react to his views toward religion? Does his deception in intentionally hiding his views make you wary of anything else in his views and theory of personality? 4. In your education and your personal experiences (academics, church, pastors), how have you encountered the different versions of the Enemies model? Explain. 5. After reading this chapter, list and explain at least one concern you have about the influence of secular assumptions on the field of psychology. List and explain at least one concern you have about the claims and counsel of the Biblical counseling movement. Chapter 10: Intermediate Models of Disciplinary Relationship: Spies, Colonialists, Rebuilders, and Neutral Parties 1. List and explain at least one factor that might encourage a secular psychologist to adopt the Spies model. List and explain one reason why clinical pragmatism might spur interest in religious beliefs and practices. 2. List and explain one difference between psychological espionage and religious espionage. Which one is more dangerous to religious belief? Explain. 3. Abraham Maslow kept his disdain for religious beliefs sequestered for religious beliefs sequestered in his private journals while publicly working with pastors to help them cultivate “the godlike within human nature” through preaching and teaching. Maslow’s influence on these religious leaders suggests that we cannot always take someone’s claims at face value. List and explain one way that we might exercise discernment about the hidden assumptions and values embedded within a psychological theory. 4. List and explain at least two things that you appreciate or can learn from the following models: Spies, Colonialists, and Neutral Parties. Chapter 11: Integrative Models of Disciplinary Relationship: Allies 1. The author framed the chapter around three questions: “Where am I?” “Where am I trying to go?” and “How can I get there?” Answer these three questions for yourself. How do your answers to these questions frame the way you approach your intended profession? Explain. 2. List and describe at least two nonnegotiable core convictions that guide your understanding of the world. 3. Spong and Webber take diametrically opposed approaches to faith in the modern world. Spong asserted that faith must be purged of its mythic elements to make it acceptable to the modern world. Webber claimed that we must interpret reality from within the Christian narrative. Which approach do you identify with? Explain. The author noted that “theological reflection typically focuses more on God’s workings in the world, while psychological reflection typically focuses more on the workings of God’s world. List and explain two implicaitons that this statement has for integration? Chapter 12: Integration in Research and Practice 1. Maslow and Rogers both rejected Christianity. From what you read in the text, or what you know from other sources, what might be the source of their animosity towards Christianity? Explain. Does their rejection of Christianity necessarily mean that all of their theories are so flawed that they should be completely rejected? Why or why not? 2. In his critique of Maslow and Rogers, the author used Scripture as a touchstone to analyze their views, but he also used other psychological findings in his discussion. List and explain one reason why it is important to use both theological and psychological critique rather than relying only on one of the other? Explain. 3. Larry Crabb stated that “No psychology can claim to be Christian which directly or indirectly denies to the Scripture the role of final arbiter.” Do you agree or disagree with his assertion? Why or why not? List and explain at least one reason why it is important to distinguish between the authority of Scripture and the authority of theological interpretation? Chapter 13: Discerning Your Place in the Integration Story 1. The author said that the personal or “embodied” level of integration is humbling because it brings us into contact with our own failures and need for grace, forgiveness, and transformation. List and explain at least two areas of your life in which you are aware of needing grace, forgiveness, and transformation. How might this impact your ability to truthfully integrate psychology and Biblical theology? Explain using things you’ve learned about yourself from the Ruggiero text. 2. List and explain at least two ways that your personal and religious background affect how you think about integration. 3. List and explain at least three ways that your understanding of integration has changed over the course of reading this book.
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