There's Room for All of Us: Discerning Your Role in the Integration Movement

There are many creative ways to combine psychology with religious and spiritual beliefs, as shown in recent writings on the interface between Christianity and psychology (Johnson, 2010; Stevenson, Eck, & Hill, 2007). To help Christians with interests in psychology begin to discern where they might best fit within this larger integration movement, this brief article raises several practical questions. The questions focus on five areas: bases for truth claims, personal strengths and weaknesses, desired amount of uniformity in faith perspectives, wounds or negative past experiences, and sources of motivation and passion. These questions are presented in a personal style with the aim of encouraging self-reflection. By considering questions such as these, along with factors such as personality traits and seasons of life, Christians who are unsure of their place in the world of psychology may begin to identify areas where they could make distinctive and meaningful contributions.