Viewpoints Sources of Knowledge: Which contributors are: More Pursue human nature: Primary Allegiance: Church Primary Task
llegiance: Church Primary Task of Psychology:
Empirical research, Scripture
and theology, Philosophy,
Personal experience, and
History.
Levels of The sources of knowledge for
Explanation this view range from different
scientific fields that serve as
building blocks of nature. Other
knowledge sources are retrieved
from theology and philosophy
since they all address same
global questions on life.
Utilizes scripture and theory as
a source of knowledge to
enlighten
reader of Myers bias
perspective and lacks usefulness
when referencing to sexual
behavior “sin”.
 science, academics, and
research
Integration Biblical scriptures and
psychological science are the
major sources of knowledge.
critical or More Trusting
Myers work is more critical to
grasp as it does not answer
many questions of information
from which his perspective
stands.
More critical in how they view
contemporary psychology -
Each view has a level which
you adhere to - Psychology is
one aspect that you can
communicate through - and
Scripture or Faith is another
level you communicate through.
So, each has a purpose.
 prohibit religious
contributions to psychology,
only secular worldviews.
The integration view is more
critical since Myer and Jones
use science to interpret the
Distinctive
Understanding or
Universal Understanding
The levels of explanation
view are part of distinctive
understanding since
psychology is not the only
perspective from which
people can view as well as
understand themselves.
The assumption that such
perspective can be openly
used as one sees fit only
restricts the purpose of
psychology as a science
therefore it seeks universal
understanding.
Distinctive Understanding:
They use two completely
different methods of
understanding - Theology
and Psychology are two
different concepts - "with
different objects of study"
and provide different
answers to the questions
that we study.
 humans are
understood better from
different levels
This view is part of
distinctive understanding
as noted between the
or Community of scholars
from one's culture
The primary allegiance of this
view rest on the notion that the
contemporary relationship of
various explanatory levels
helps with liberating us from
unnecessary arguments on
whether people should view
human nature subjectively or
scientifically.
All levels of reality are
important - (psychology,
chemical, biological, physical,
social, and theological) - also
gives distinction between
psychology and theology -
providing examples of both to
show the comparison and
contrast.
Myers perspective is primarily
of allegiance is focused on
community of scholars &
practitioners in one’s culture
 primary allegiance to
primary psychology with
lack of consideration of right
or wrong.
The allegiance of this view is
to use Christian convictions in
shaping every aspect of an
Acquisition of knowledge
or Renovation of human
beings and the Cultivation of
godliness, moral character,
and love
The primary task of
psychology in this view help
with a better view and
understanding of ourselves.
Myers perspective focuses on
the primary task of Acquisition
of knowledge about human
beings.
Acquisition of Knowledge -
committed to the development
of knowledge in areas relating
to psychology, biblical truth,
science, values, beliefs, social,
chemical, and biological topics.
There are so many topics that
education and information
allow them to be more well-
rounded about what they are
working towards understanding
and knowing about. However,
the many levels then bring
about the need for more
education because of how
different they all are.
 better understanding of
oneself
Primary Task of Psychology in
this case is to integrate
Christianity and psychology as

Utilizes empirical research as a
source of knowledge to
enlighten
reader of Jones perspective but
shares common ground with
Christian Psychology and
Biblical Counseling and how
one should utilize psychology
and Christianity.
 Biblical scriptures and
psychological science.
Christian Sources of knowledge in this
Psychology view include historical,
theological, and philosophical
Bible.
More open to modern
psychology than biblical
counseling - more trusting
overall - blending of thoughts in
order to integrate and combine
psychology with faith
Jones perspective becomes more
critical as to how human beings
can handle life problems
through science and scripture
but failed to address diseases
like cancer, Covid-19 and how
they should be handled as they
are not mentioned in the bible
nor has science provided a cure.
 the only version of
psychology is contemporary
psychology.
The view is more trusting
because faith informs science.
In this case, psychologists rely
similarity of Myer and
Jones in using science to
interpret the Bible while
others do not.
Christians in an
Integration View would be
more universal - because
there is understanding that
God is divinely creator
and author but that we also
need science too - and the
role of Christians in
Psychology is for us to
gain more insight and
knowledge and
understanding of the
human condition.
Jones perspective goal can
be viewed as distinctive
understanding in pursue of
human nature to which
only Christians would
support.
 have an
understanding that all
secular psychology is
true
The Christian psychology
view brings about
universal understanding
individual's work.
Christian Faith can contribute
significantly to the areas of
counseling and psychology -
as it does affect them both -
we have a responsibility to use
both our faith and our
knowledge of science to help
grow our fields of study - as
knowledge grows, then so
does our understanding. They
work together in this
viewpoint
Jones perspective primary
allegiance is focused on
church, but unlike Myers.
primary allegiance to the
truth, "all truth is God's
truth"
Christians must begin from
Christian values so that they
may operate on this foundation
the employment of God's true
word
Acquisition of Knowledge.
The approach means the
psychology and discipline is
having one’s Christian
convictions shape every aspect
of one's work. Acquiring
knowledge about psychological
positions allows the counselor
or therapist to be able to
incorporate more thoughts and
ideas into the sessions with the
client. Being more outward
focused allows them to
continually be thinking about
others instead of themselves.
Jones encourages focuses on
the primary task of Acquisition
of knowledge about human
beings
 primary task to integrate
psychological truth with
biblical truth
The primary task of
psychology in this view is for
faith to inform science.
 considerations.
The Bible - Many major
scriptures especially specific
teachings of Jesus - "Sermon on
the Mount”; Positive
Psychology and lessons of Love
from Christianity
Like Myers, utilizes history as a
source of knowledge to
enlighten
reader of Robert & Watson
perspective and how one should
utilize psychology from
Christian tradition.
 Christian psychological
theories, research, biblical
studies, and Christian
philosophy.
Transformational The sources of knowledge
Psychology linked to this view include the
on Christian values while
applying science to achieve
scientific ends.
The view that there is
Psychology inside of
Christianity - and because of the
way Christians are created - we
are part of psychology as well -
they go together - how
traditional Psychology has
failed in many aspects
Robert & Watson perspective is
more trusting but can be viewed
also as more critical for
nonbelievers
 focus on former historical
studies of Christian
psychology
This view is criticized by those
who feels it lucks practical
for Christian psychologists
who rely on scriptures or
religious beliefs to address
different issues.
Distinctive Understanding:
(how they view the goals
of Christians in
Psychology)
Robert & Watson
perspective distinctive
understanding in pursue of
human nature to which
only Christians would
support.
 universal and
understanding of soul
care and spiritual growth
This view has a universal
understanding since by
to explore as well as interpret
empirical findings.
To God? Then to Science? -
primary allegiance is to the
church - in order to continue
helping educate and change
people. Christianity is
Psychology and can be studied
all on its own.
Robert & Watson perspective
primary allegiance is focused
on church like Jones, but
unlike Myers.
 begin with Christian
values to operate with that
foundation
The views primary allegiance
is on Christianity which it uses
Meaning, faith is considered as
the lens used by researchers to
view their findings.
Primary purpose is to
transform and help the person -
"renovate the human” - help
the person gain a biblical
perspective while
understanding who they are in
psychology.
Like Jones, Robert & Watson
perspective encourages the
renovation of human beings
and the cultivation of
godliness, moral character, and
love
 to develop a Christian
science modern psychology
by commencing with biblical
psychology and Christian
customs.
The views primary allegiance
is on Christianity which it uses
 ancient church fathers together
with medieval theologians and
scientists who provided insight
on the relationship between
knowing and spirituality.
Tends to be a theme of
"loving the person through"
where spiritual formation is
what brings about change in the
person through the process of
development. Psychology is
done in faith. Begins with the
person in psychology doing the
psychology anew in the Spirit,
grounded, including the realities
known by faith, person doing
psychology as one, single, yet
complex study of faith, person
doing psychology as a science
that is both descriptive and
prescriptive in nature.
Coe & Hall encourages
personal experience to guide the
transformative needs to truly
know self and others as a source
of knowledge. Like Myers,
Powlison, as well as Roberts
and Watson, the
transformational psychology is
to respect religion as religion
and science as science, and then
to build bridges between them”
(228).
 Christian resources: Bible.
Biblical The Holy Bible is the main
Counseling source of wisdom, training, and
guidance - for all counselors
this is the first focus of where
application in the field. Besides,
it does not exclude empirical
findings.
This area Seems to be more
trusting and more balanced
approach because it tries to
balance the approach between
the two ideas. Transforming
the person would require the
counselor or psychologist to be
well educated and
understanding of the
perspectives. Loving the person
through hard situations also
requires trust that the person
wants to do the work and the
Psychologists time spent is well
worth it as well.
Coe & Hall perspective is more
trusting even for nonbelievers
 more geared toward the
catholic and orthodox
spirituality
This view is more trusting since
it views Christian faith as a
psychological view in its own
right. Also, it does not see the
uniting science and faith, it
focuses on God and
journey back to God. Faith
cannot be confined in
tradition as that will many
times limit the
understanding of the
person - and the
psychologist has to use a
mixture of science and
faith when working with
the client - because
tradition sometimes limits
understanding.
Universal Understanding -
Unified methodology and
can provide a science or
Psychology or both
created and distinctively
Christian Realities -
doesn't make a distinction
between them
methodologically. This
psychology is comprised
of the contents of
scripture, nature of human
spirit, values, sin, and our
capacity to be indwelt by
God and so forth.
Coe & Hall goal can be
viewed as seeks universal
understanding that all
psychologist, regardless of
their worldview can
recognize and affirm
 universal standing,
joining faith and science.
It has a universal
understanding shared by
all Christians whereby
people seek redemption
to impact faith used in
influencing science.
Primary allegiance is to the
community of
scholars/practitioners.
committed to the developing a
science or methodology for
psychology as a single vision
of study that is open to all
relevant reality as legitimate
data for psychological theory,
research, and therapy. (p. 225)
Personal growth of the
psychologist is central to
doing psychology, there needs
to be dramatic rethinking
about the training of
psychologists with respect to
the transformation process of
the person, process of the
products of psychology in
university and clinical training
programs.
Coe & Hall perspective
primary allegiance is on
community of scholars &
practitioners in one’s culture
unlike Jones & Powlison,
Robert & Watson
 dedicated to spiritual
formation for soul care and
guidance through Christ
It has a universal
understanding shared by all
Christians whereby people
seek redemption from their
to impact faith used in
influencing science.
transforming the person - the
role of change - focusing on
the WHOLE person and the
process or journey they are on
in helping them bring about
transformational change.
Science and Faith go hand-in-
hand and cannot be separated
or exist separately. The focus
is on the person and the
process - (the ethical-spiritual-
methodological) are at the
heart of the transformational
psychology, (p.225) Science
and Faith do not involve two
separate acts, - they are truly
done in faith in the love of
God.
Coe & Hall encourages the
renovation of human beings
and the cultivation of
godliness, moral character, and
love
Soul care: the renovation of
human beings and the
cultivation of godliness, moral
character, and love
 focused on transformation
human lives spiritually into
the likeness of Christ through
soul care and guidance.
It has a universal
understanding shared by all
Christians whereby people seek
redemption from their
information for counseling
comes from. Because of our
creator, we have knowledge of
how we were created, why we
were created, and His purpose
for our lives, which is a
fundamental source of
knowledge for Biblical
Counseling - because we use
Scripture to relate to the patient
- and counsel the patient
primary.
Powlison perspective aligns
with the philosophy as a
source of knowledge. both
Christian-Faith as a psychology
and Christian- ministry
“practice” as a psychotherapy”
(Johnson, 2010) like Jones and
unlike Myers approach
 Bible
need for integrating psychology
and faith since they can be
independent.
More critical - but only because
of the specific approach and
direction that the counseling
comes from - specifically the
bible and spiritual perspective.
Like Coe & Hall, Powlison’s
perspective is more trusting
even for nonbelievers
only trust and depend on
scripture
from their problems by
focusing on Christ as their
savior.
Powlison perspective
distinctive understanding
in pursue of human nature
to which only Christians
would support.
They argue that there is
more of a distinctive
approach to the goal of
Christians in psychology,
as the biblical counseling
perspective gives specific
examples of how to live
and how to work and how
to deal with people.
Distinct examples in
scripture give you exact
definitions of what it
means to be a Christian in
this line of work.
 main location for
people is the church.
problems by focusing on
Christ as their savior.
To God, then to the person.
Believing that sin is the
"culprit" for the behavior or
problem that the client is
facing - ridding the client of
sin is the purpose of the
counseling.
Powlison perspective primary
allegiance is to the church like
Robert & Watson, Jones, but
unlike Myers.
 Primary Allegiance to
God and the church
problems by focusing on Christ
as their savior.
major role is to transform the
person into a biblical
knowledge human- the bible is
the main authority in
determining and discussing
issues with client.
Powlison perspective is the
renovation of human beings
and the cultivation of
godliness, moral character, and
love like Jones, Coe & Hall,
and Robert & Watson, but
unlike Myers.
 primary task is counseling