Christians have debated how and if it is possible to integrate these two disciplines. First, let's define the terms. Theology is the study of the nature and attributes of God. Anthropology is the study of human cultural and social relationships. Psychology is the study of human emotional and mental behavior. The Bible is the best book to study social relationships. The biblical writers observed over 1500 years of human interaction covering over 6000 years of human history. The Bible is also the best book to study the human soul which includes the mind, emotions and will.Christians have four basic responses to psychology. The first view is complete rejection. The fundamentalist camp view it as a diversion of the devil. Their view is based in large part on the presuppositions of the discipline. Since psychology is based largely on the philosophy of humanism and naturalistic biological evolution it must be rejected. The second view is to redefine the terms. The liberal camp replaces theology with psychology. Ancient mysticism and faith must be replace with the sciences of the enlightenment. The third view is to completely separate the two disciplines. The rational thinkers camp try to explain one as secular truth and the other as sacred truth. Both have their place but don't try to confuse apples with oranges.The fourth view believes that it is plausable and practical to integrate both disciplines. The primary assumption is that all truth is God's truth wherever it is found. The great value of the science of psychology is that the case studies and empirical data that is collected will affirm biblical truth. Does biblical truth need to be affirmed? It is always comforting to the seeker of truth to know that biblical truth will stand when under the microscope of science. As a recent presidential canidate stated, "I was attracted to Christianity because it was intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying."
