Church’s crisis with psychology.

In his book Psychology and Christianity, Eric Johnson identifies five main factors that have caused the church's crisis with psychology:

1. The rise of secular psychology. In the early 20th century, psychology emerged as a new scientific discipline that was largely independent of religious influence. This led to the development of a secular worldview that emphasized the importance of human reason and experience, and downplayed the role of God and the Bible.
2. The decline of biblical authority. As the church has become more influenced by secular culture, there has been a corresponding decline in the authority of the Bible. This has made it more difficult for Christians to integrate their faith with psychology, as the two often offer conflicting perspectives on human nature and behavior.
3. The rise of the therapeutic ethos. In recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on therapy and counseling as the solution to a wide range of problems. This has led to the privatization of faith, as Christians increasingly turn to secular professionals for help with their personal problems.
4. The failure of the church to provide adequate care for the hurting. In many cases, the church has failed to provide adequate care for those who are struggling with mental health problems. This has led many people to turn to secular sources for help, which has further exacerbated the crisis.
5. The rise of the New Age movement. The New Age movement is a collection of spiritual and philosophical beliefs that emphasize the importance of personal growth and self-awareness. This movement has often been seen as a threat to Christianity, as it offers a competing worldview that is often at odds with biblical teaching.

These are just some of the factors that have contributed to the church's crisis with psychology. It is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, if the church is to address this crisis, it will need to carefully consider these factors and develop a more thoughtful and nuanced approach to the relationship between faith and psychology. In addition to the factors mentioned by Johnson, there are a few other things that could be contributing to the church's crisis with psychology. For example, some Christians may be hesitant to embrace psychology because they are concerned that it will lead them to compromise their faith. Others may be simply unaware of the ways in which psychology can be used to support and enrich Christian faith. Whatever the reasons, it is clear that the church needs to find a way to address this crisis. Psychology is a powerful tool that can be used to help people in many ways. If the church is to be effective in ministering to the needs of people in the 21st century, it will need to find a way to integrate psychology into its ministry in a way that is faithful to the Bible and helpful to people.    

Sample Solution

In his book Psychology and Christianity, Eric Johnson identifies five main factors that have caused the church's crisis with psychology: