Journal

Developmental psychology studies multidimensional aspects , such as physical , cognitive , social and emotional patterns of change and stability both in the evolutionary history of humans within the life span development theory . This field of study has historically evolved from two competing worldviews . Overton (1984 ) defines a worldview (a paradigm /disciplinary matrix /scientific research program /research tradition ) as a general and abstract framework used by scientists to define their research plans . Like focal questions , methods , instruments and basic theoretical propositions . There has been much confusion around the integration of psychology and the Christian

faith has led to conflicting attitudes toward this important design . A Reformed Evangelical approach to bringing developmental psychology under the authority of the Bible is proposed through the validation , modification and reconstruction of elements in the mechanistic and organismic world views . Christian psychology scholars are encouraged to test their research agenda against the biblical canon in to determine whether their theoretical formulations , focal questions , methodological approach and interpretation or application of data are working

Carter and Narramore 's work (1979 ) raises some questions at exactly what these authors seek to integrate . It seems that both the title of their book and the majority of their argument focus on the disciplines of psychology and theology , their text frequently shifts to the integration of psychology either with Christianity (with scripture from the bible or biblical revelation ) as though all of these could be interchangeable . They do say that the Christian Scripture is not to be combined with theological interpretation . However , their integration approach remains the same whether the biblical text or theology is the focus of discussion in relation to psychology and as either as a science or as a profession . They argue for a continuing dialogue between psychology and theology (Carter Narramore , 1979

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Whether one opposes or supports integration depends both on what is being integrated and on the stated goal of integration . Christian scholars in the field of psychology are called to study reality in the light of biblical revelation (Greidanus , 1982 ,

.147 , cited in Jones and Butman , 1991 . The Bible is the lamp we all need in to walk straight it is the light we all need as we think of God 's creation after God 's won thoughts (Psalm 119 :9-11 , 105 . To be sure , the interaction between theology and psychology can yield valuable insights (Carter , 1996 , and a focus on the role of generic faith in life satisfaction can challenge a long dated stereotype against religion as pathogenic (Myers , 2000 . From a Reformed Evangelical standpoint , not only theology and psychology , but also faith , spirituality and all dominations of life must ultimately be brought under the knowledge of the Bible . As Hurley and Berry (1997 ) indicated , it is in the Bible that

God speaks directly and without corruption (2 Tim . 3 :16 , 17 , provides a trustworthy source of information (John 17 :17 , equips us adequately to live out our Christian lives (2 Tim . 3 :16 , 17 , and provides special information needed to...