Are Psychology & Christianity Compatible? | 5 Views

Type of Doctrine: Typically Secondary or Tertiary

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

-Galatians 6:2

Why Does It Matter?

Christians disagree over whether psychology can be integrated with Christianity. There are views all along the spectrum on this issue. Some say we should not incorporate psychology at all (e.g., many biblical counselors). Others say that we should include some insights from psychology (e.g, Christian therapists who integrate some psychology). Still others are more comfortable integrating more psychological insights (e.g, therapists who integrate more psychology).

This is typically considered either a secondary or tertiary issue. (Unfortunately, the rhetoric of some can make it seem like it is a primary issue.)

What Is It?

Psychology is a discipline relating to the mind and how it affects behavior. According to the Oxford English Reference Dictionary, "psychology" is defined as "the scientific study of the human mind and its functions" which includes the "mental characteristics or attitude of a person or group."[1] Many agree that the discipline originated about 200 years ago (although some trace portions of it back hundreds or even thousands of years).

Some have expressed various concerns with psychology. Specifically, critics point to worldview concerns from psychology and various views on moral or ethical issues from some proponents. Thus, critics claim that psychology clashes with the worldview of Christianity. (Some of the most common critiques I've heard are these: [1] the problem of sin is explained away; [2] psychology focuses on self [while Christianity focuses on God]; [3] psychology doesn't consider some things wrong/sinful that Christianity does [which influences the counsel given]; and [4] psychology doesn't consider spiritual causes [such as demonic].)

However, others claim that we can "chew the meat and spit out the bones." In other words, there are scientific insights that arise out of research which can help us uncover how God made people (e.g., common grace and general revelation). If there are worldview or moral implications, then we can side with the worldview of Christianity. But we can still benefit from the scientific insights (as we do in many other fields such as: medical, engineering, automotive, cooking, etc.). Many of these insights include neurological and psychological findings which are compatible with Christianity. (Some on this side point out the following: [1] sin / repentance is the problem / solution sometimes but not all of the time [We are complex creatures and could have chemical, biological, family of origin, or other issues happening.]; [2] we are being inconsistent because we don't reject medical [and other] fields which incorporate science; and [3] we have a theological category for this called general revelation.)

If psychology is the larger category, then therapy is a specific subset. Therapists are an incredibly diverse group of people. Thus, for Christians, many times the issue will come down to the views of the particular therapist. The author of the article "Should a Christian trust psychology?" explains:

"When it comes to trusting psychology, the Christian’s biggest concern comes down to the psychologists themselves. The field of psychology is composed of a diverse group of people with varying levels of education, different worldviews or religious beliefs, and unique areas of specialization. No psychologist can base 100 percent of his or her views on scientific evidence, and the gaps end up being filled in with the psychologist’s worldview. All people do this in some manner, and it is a necessary part of life, but when scientists do it, they are moving away from science into the realm of philosophy or theology. This holds true even when the view is shared by a large group of psychologists."[2]

Both the origins of psychology and the beliefs of particular psychologists have led many Christians to approach it with suspicion. In his excellent book, titled God & Soul Care, Eric Johnson articulates this situation well:

"Many Christians today are suspicious of therapy in any form, and there are good reasons for their suspicion. We live in an era and a culture in which a secular therapeutic orientation has replaced religion as the primary pathway to greater well-being . . . A wholesale rejection of therapy by Christians, however, would be a tragic overreaction to this situation, for Christianity, from its beginning, has been a therapeutic religion."[3]

To summarize, some Christians reject psychology all together. Others accept a large portion of psychology. Many, however, fall somewhere in between these two extremes.

Five Views on Integrating Psychology and Christianity

The following chart is adapted from the content in Psychology and Christianity: Five Views and the article from Mark Cosgrave titled, "Psychology and Christianity: Five Views."[4]

View	Description
A Levels-of-Explanation View	Psychology and Christianity shouldn't overlap. They are two distinct subjects. Psychology should focus on its academic study and Christianity should focus on spiritual things.
An Integration View	There is significant overlap between psychology and Christianity. However, Christianity critiques portions of psychology.
A Christian Psychology View	There is a slight overlap. There have been many different "psychologies" through history. Christians can and should adopt what is compatible and conduct a Christian psychology within the discipline.
A Transformational Psychology View	There is little overlap, but Christians can "redo psychology" from a Christian perspective. This view adopts a spiritual formation perspective to psychology and Christianity. This view doesn't merely integrate, but it is a redoing of psychology from a Christian foundation.
A Biblical Counseling View	There is no overlap. This view doesn't believe that it is possible to integrate secular psychology with Christianity. It generally sees counseling according to the Bible as preferable, and it has a strong emphasis on sin and repentance.

One final thought:

A point that I have not heard discussed very often on this subject is the overlapping concept of vocation. Allow me to explain. We don't need to have a "black-and-white" approach on this issue. There could be an allowance for different types of vocations to adopt different views. For example, a pastor may fall neatly into the biblical counseling group. Various types of counselors may fall into the integration groups. Finally, academics may fall into the "Levels-of-Explanation" view, and use their vocation to reach fellow academics for Christ.

End Notes:

[1] "Psychology," Oxford English Reference Dictionary, 2nd ed. rev., eds. Judy Pearsall and Bill Trumble (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2003), 1165.

[2] "Should A Christian Trust Psychology?," GotQuestions, accessed Feb. 21, 2026, https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-trust-psychology.html.

[3] Eric L. Johnson, God & Soul Care: The Therapeutic Resources of the Christian Faith (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2017), 1.

[4] Eric Johnson, ed, Psychology and Christianity: Five Views, 2nd ed. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010). Also, here is an excellent review of the previous book. Mark Cosgrave, "Psychology and Christianity: Five Views," Christian Scholar's Review, Oct. 15, 2011, accessed Feb. 21, 2026, https://christianscholars.com/psychology-and-christianity-five-views/.