The Integration Journey: A Student’s Guide to Faith, Culture, and Psychology

THE INTEGRATION JOURNEY: A Student's Guide to Faith, Culture, and Psychology by William B. Whitney and Carissa Dwiwardani. InterVarsity Press, 2024. 227 pages. Paperback; $30.00. ISBN: 9781514000564. *There is a plethora of books regarding the integration of Christianity and psychology. It is no wonder, then, that one could get either overwhelmed or frankly bored by the repetition of very similar ideas told in seemingly infinitely different ways. But I was pleasantly surprised by this work by Whitney and Dwiwardani. It contrasts with most earlier works on integration by extending the discussion beyond the theoretical and challenging the reader to consider the process of integration in a more dynamic and expansive way that emphasizes the vital role of cultural context. Though the authors neglect to mention a few others (e.g., David I. Smith1) who have likewise written about the integral role of culture for Christians' understanding of the world, this book is nevertheless engaging and challenging. It is also understandable despite discussions of the complex interplay between personal, cultural, spiritual, and emotional variables involved in the integration process. The authors intersperse biblical texts throughout the book in a way that flows smoothly with the discussion, treating the relevance of scripture in substantive ways rather than "forcing" a fit. Reflection exercises and questions in each chapter add interest and interactivity. This eight-chapter book is written for students, but I have no doubt that professionals from across different disciplines would also benefit from reading it. *The authors begin by clearly stating that the views they present are meant as a guide, not as a definitive work on integration. This is a refreshing demonstration of intellectual humility, and encouraged me to approach the book with a non-defensive stance. They also make no assumptions about the readers' knowledge of key terms, and thus briefly explain all relevant concepts before moving forward. Importantly, integration involves not only the obvious factors of Christian theology and psychology, but also culture. The interplay of these topics is the main focus of this work. The authors' challenge to the reader to consider the powerful role of one's own cultural identity in professional and everyday life is the most impactful aspect of this book. They note that this cultural self- and other-awareness is not only important, but is required of all believers if we seek to love others in our work and personal lives. This is one of the main reasons why I highly recommend this book. *Whitney and Dwiwardani then proceed to discuss how ideas of integration are embedded in the stories we have heard while growing up and those that we inhabit. They emphasize this point throughout the book by seamlessly interweaving their own stories where relevant. One main point is that these stories bias the ways we interpret the world, and thus considering them can help us challenge ourselves to broaden our understanding of the way our Christian faith interacts with our understanding of others and our approaches to integration. While respecting the multitude of stories represented by humans, the authors nevertheless emphasize that the ultimate narrative that should guide our approach to life is that of the Bible. This delicate balancing of respect for others' traditions alongside the universal mandates of scripture to love and seek justice for all is handled well throughout the book. As the authors note repeatedly, it is that love of Christ and others that is the guiding principle for all of integration and life. By presenting the familiar Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Creation/Restoration framework (chap. 3), the authors hold the tension between the brokenness of the human condition and the hope that exists in Christ to be agents of redemption and renewal in our lives. It is that grace, alongside our cooperation, that is key in our efforts to love others in our personal and professional lives. *In subsequent chapters, Whitney and Dwiwardani elaborate on the role of culture in integration by, for example, noting the oft-overlooked point that much of culture is "invisible" (chap. 4) and thus often overlooked or underestimated in its potential effect on our ideas and ways of interacting with the world. Further, our cultural identities and experiences are dynamic and flexible. One example of cultural influence is the assumption of dualism (body and mind) and inherent naturalism so prevalent in Western culture. It would have been helpful for the authors to also discuss the dualism of our cognitive and emotional capacities, and how the separation of these two is an artificial dichotomy characteristic of our culture. *The next chapter discusses the process of transformation when we go beyond mere intellectual knowledge to experiential knowledge. In keeping with their holistic view of humans, the authors emphasize the important role of our emotions in our deeper understanding of social realities. Emotions should not be underestimated or relegated to the role of "obstructing" our knowledge of truth; they are a gift from God that can draw us closer to truth, to one another, and to God. *In chapter 6, Whitney and Dwiwardani discuss "epistemic injustice" and "testimonial injustice." They challenge readers to consider their own biases in terms of whose stories and ways of understanding and integrating scripture with psychology we prioritize. As with the tone of the whole book, this is presented in an inviting manner, with grace and truth. *The following chapter discusses the vital role of lament in our ongoing journey of transformation and learning about integration. We need to be willing to see injustices, allow ourselves to feel the lament, and yet hold space for hope. We need to "learn to live in the liminal space of lament and restorative hope" (p. 184). As a minor critique, it would have been helpful for the authors to note the work of others (e.g., Soong-Chan Rah2) who also speak of a uniquely Christian lament in response to a broken world. The final chapter comes full circle, returning to the idea that practicing integration requires active participation; it cannot simply be accomplished by simply reading good works on integration. It is a process that involves our whole selves. In keeping with the authors' intellectual humility, the book does not end with any statement suggesting "now that you know all about integration after having read this book ..." Instead, the authors remind readers to honestly explore their own stories and cultural embeddedness as they further develop their faith, love for others, and their own integration approaches. The only distracting part of this last section is a brief history of integration, which might have been better placed in the introductory chapter. *In sum, Whitney and Dwiwardani emphasize that crucial to the integration endeavor is the Christian's desire to live in accordance with the narrative of scripture, which calls us to love God and others. Their views regarding integration of faith, psychology, and life aptly hold the tension between respecting cultural differences and calling us all to aspire to live out the same narrative of scripture. It is a paradox well worth continuing to explore in the integration literature and beyond. *Notes *1David I. Smith, Learning from the Stranger: Christian Faith and Cultural Diversity (Eerdmans, 2009). *2Soong-Chan Rah, Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times (InterVarsity Press, 2015). *Reviewed by Angela M. Sabates, PhD, professor and chair, Psychological Sciences, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN.