Faith Integration in Community Psychology

Jesus as a community psychologist

 Community psychologists face challenges brought by the confrontation between biblical truth and worldviews. Scientific truth tend to oppose  the theology and doctrines of Christianity and for this reason, community psychologists  need to be thoughtful and honest in order to  ensure  ethical interrogation, perspective integration and  humanizer  integration (Nworie et al, 2016). Jesus as a community psychologist played a significant in letting people know the truth since truth is the source of freedom. Jesus was knowledge and he convinced people to follow the right route and more importantly helped them identify truth and error. As a community psychologist, Jesus had the power to restore physical and spiritual health (Nworie et al, 2016).

 The same way a community psychologist promotes the community wellbeing, Jesus as a psychologist focused on social transformation in the society. Jesus showed charity and compassion in dealing with suffering and sociopolitical issues. Jesus healed the sick and showed compassion as a core value in his work in the community (Nworie et al, 2016). In the community, Jesus led to social transformation by challenging the status quo. Fiord example, he admonished the sociopolitical structure and the unjust system which marginalized the oppressors.  In addition, he broke the complicated religious laws which made religious leaders to ignore love and people and focused on rules and obedience. He also brought social change by shunning politics.  Jesus preached about the kingdom of God and he was not interested in being a king after feeding a crown of people.  Jesus brought a radical change and a long-range vision which could be achieved through conventional path- focused on Roman’s status quo, the counter path and the creative path (Nworie et al, 2016). Jesus brought change at a micro level by urging people to be connected with God as his kingdom was at hand. People were not only urged to form a connection with God but they were also influenced in building relationship with community of believers. Community members formed a culture of service and sacrifice where they loved one another (Nworie et al, 2016).

 Jesus changed the community by providing people with freedom such as right to vote, social order and more. Christianity shaped the human governments since people faced harsh control from massacres and tyrants (Harris, 2004). Jesus brought democratic principles which play important roles. In bringing change, growth and repentance, Jesus preached and urged people to change their behaviors and turn to God.  People turned from worldly things and followed the God’s law which is the Ten Commandments. They surrendered their lives and lived a life of faith.  As a community psychologist, Jesus changes the lives of human beings through giving them hope of life after death.  In the community, Jesus showed love through his death, healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding people, casting out demons and more (Harris, 2004). Through parables and miracles, Jesus revealed the spiritual truth and people repented their sins and followed him.

 

 Change, growth and repentance in the community were influenced by effective leadership.  His leadership transformed a lost world through collaborating with disciples. To reach all people in the community, he selected men and gave them instructions.  In serving the community, Jesus showed empathy and mercy to weak people (Harris, 2004).  He was a leader who focuses on building a team to spread the mission. The 12 disciples worked with him in his ministry and saved many souls. Jesus showed integrity and honest through adhering to artistic values and rebuking the devil during temptation. Jesus was a dedicated person who sacrificed himself for the sake of poor and needy people. He visited the poor and shared meal with them.  Even though he faced many challenges, he was optimistic since God was with him in all situations. When interacting with people, he showed humility regardless of being the son of God (Harris, 2004).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Harris, R. A. (2004). The integration of faith and learning: A worldview approach. Eugene, OR: Cascade

Books.

 

In Nworie, B., Latunde, Y., Lee, H. K., Freeman, M., DomNwachukwu, C. S., & Hetzel, J.

(2016). Integrating faith and special education: A Christian faith approach to special education practice.