What It Looks Like in Your Research Area

In Johnson’s (2010) closing thoughts he states, “For the Christian, the science of psychology and the art of counseling are fundamentally religious enterprises, as is all of life” (p. 311).  What an excellent statement to demonstrate how science and Christianity can coexist in forming the basis for life.  Having this understanding allows us the freedom to approach counseling from a biblical point of view and provides greater opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission.  One of the definitions for enterprises includes, “a systematic purposeful activity” (Merriam-Webster, 2022).  This can be demonstrative of the counseling profession and the integration of Christianity.  Counseling is a purposeful process to identify a problem, come to a diagnosis, form a treatment plan, and engage the client in healing.  Using any of the theories of counseling, the counselor can begin to integrate Christianity with their client.

For Christian counselors and researchers, psychology and Christianity are the basis of our lives.  Integrating the two will provide guidance and direction and will help us to bring healing to others that will be grounded in scripture.  As the two integrate, God will reveal answers to us that psychology and Christianity present even though we know our finite minds may never comprehend (Jones, 2010).  We can also understand that although scripture provides us the answers to many questions, it does not provide the answers to all questions.  These gaps in knowledge can be filled in using the science of psychology as it provides answers for a variety of human thoughts and behaviors (Jones, 2010).

Although I am still considering topics for my dissertation, my degree is focused on developmental psychology.  As a Certified Addictions Professional and the Director of a men’s substance use recovery facility, I am planning on a topic related to addictions.  The integration view of psychology and Christianity will play a major role in my research.  Jones (2010) refers to the world as being “dis-integrated and fragmented” (p. 102).  Addiction creates this same effect on one’s life.  As the cycle of addiction continues, the user becomes more distant from reality and less able to resist the compulsive loss of control and negative consequences associated with the disease (Clinton & Scalise, 2013).  One of the theories of addiction involves the spiritual malady associated with substance use disorders.  Addiction is a disease that is chronic and progressive and will ultimately lead to death if there is no intervention (Clinton & Scalise, 2013).  Being able to integrate Christianity into treatment plan interventions will help to fill the spiritual voids experienced by the addict.  Even for those who are treatment-resistant to spiritual ideas, I have found that allowing them to seek whatever their idea of a “Higher Power” is often leads to forming a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Integrating Christianity and psychology also allows me to approach substance use counseling from a standpoint of identifying important events in the person’s life that have contributed to their use.  The origins of their use could have come from childhood abuse, attachment issues, experimental use, prescribed use, and many others (Clinton & Scalise, 2013).  Identifying these events is helpful to form interventions in their cycle of addiction and lead them through the stages of change into recovery.

References

Clinton, T., & Scalise, E. (2013). The Quick-Reference Guide to Addictions and Recovery Counseling: 40 Topics, Spiritual Insights, and Easy-to-Use Action Steps. Baker Publishing Group.

Johnson, E. L. (2010). Psychology & Christianity: Five Views (2nd ed.). InterVarsity Press.

Jones, S. L. (2010). Psychology & Christianity: Five Views (E. L. Johnson, Ed.; 2nd ed.). InterVarsity Press.

Merriam-Webster. (2022). Enterprise Definition & Meaning. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enterprise