Affirming Diversity in the Task of Integration: a Response to “Biblical Authority and Christian Psychology”

A summary of the author's approach to the integration of psychology und theology is followed by a response to Lawrence J. Crabb's article. “Biblical Authority and Christian Psychology,” which appeared in (he Volume 9, Number 4 issue of the Journal of Psychology and Theology. In this response it is suggested that biblical inerrancy does not necessarily result in inerrant theological formulations. It is also suggested that the Bible's unique purpose, as described by Crabb, may not require that theology be given authority over psychology. Finally, it is pointed out that what Crabb refers to as the proportional form of the Bible may not eliminate errors in conceptualizing its revealed truth. A brief discussion of the implications of this position follows, with special emphasis upon affirming the diversity which exists today among Christian mental health professionals.