All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

The theorists discussed in this course have a variety of positions on the role of faith in personality development. Few theorists self-identify as Christians, and there is no indication that any of them believed in the inspiration of the Bible.

Adler regarded the Bible as a “wonderful work” but warned that “teaching its content” could be dangerous to children. Some Christians think that because theorists such as Adler have too low a view of Scripture that nothing of consequence can be gleaned from their writings.

• Reflect on these dynamics and the inherent tension between acknowledging the value in personality theories while recognizing that those who developed them did not agree with the authority of Scripture as laid out in 2 Timothy 3:16.
• What internal conflict do you feel as a result of this tension between secular psychology and the Biblical worldview?