Psychology and Jesus

Background:

Triggered by a friend asking about how psychology and the faith might integrate, it got me thinking about this book on my shelf. Looks like a dry read (it's a pretty exhaustive-looking textbook), but might be useful in applying to other areas of scientific discovery (e.g. neuroscience, biology, engineering, etc.). On p11 a quote caught my eye, from Tertullian (a bigshot in 3rd century Christendom): "what concord is there between the Academy and the Church? With our faith, we desire no further belief."

Provocation:

Understanding a smidgen of Psychology, or how my brain tends to work, has helped me to become more aware of my own mind - how easily I twist things to suit what I want, or how difficult it is to see things that I am not prepared to see. This has in turn helped me to fight the battle of the mind (Romans). This has not been apart from the Bible, for it is mainly the Bible that shows me the effects of an entrenched sin trying to worm its way into control of the mind, and it is mainly the Bible which gives me the various tools to weed it out.

Tensions:

Should a follower of Jesus use extra-biblical tools in his sanctification? Is it dishonouring to God if we use extra-biblical helps along the way, mixed in with a majority dose of bible marination? And, is there such a thing as true extra-biblical effectiveness? Or what role do extra-biblical helps play in the sanctification process? Do they hurt or help?

Definitions:

• Sanctification is the process of a follower of Jesus becoming increasingly alike to Jesus. "[God] predestined them to be conformed to the image of His Son." - Rom 8. It is a dual partnership between the follower and Jesus. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purposes." Phil 2:13
• Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context.
• Biblical refers to principles or mandates either directly or indirectly derived from the Bible.

You:

This is the first of a set of posts on the topic of psychology and faith. What do you think?