Christianity and Psychology

This is a topic that weighs heavily on my heart. First let me say that I do not believe psychology has any answers. As a matter of fact, I believe the roots of psychology to be demonicly inspired. Christian counseling doesn't seem to have any anwers either. Yet, I am deeply aware of the fact that there are many brothers and sisters in this world of ours who carry deep emotional scars. My hearts cry is that the body of Christ can find the means to acknowledge this internal pain and learn to minister to the hurting. I know that our Lord recognizes this need. In some other post somewhere I made mention that I look upon Isaiah 61:1-3 as a mission statement of sorts for God sending His Son.

[color=330066]"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;[/color]
[color=0000CC]He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;[/color]
[color=330066]To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;[/color]
[color=0000CC]To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;[/color]
[color=330066]That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."[/color]

I believe that the true method of healing from the Lord is nothing less than He Himself. Healing occurs as we enter in beyond the veil into his presence. I was mulling over this the other day and had an image come to mind of sitting on some sandstone steps looking down on the temple in Jerusalem with a young man to whom I was ministering. I put my arm around his shoulder and said "Let's go to the temple together." By this I meant let us go on into the holy of holies where healing is found.

I guess my point is that when we are hurting going into the holy place is not natural. It usually takes someone to lovingly and compassionately come along side them and gently speak the words of truth to them. God loves you! Come on, let's go together, shall we pray?

Oh Lord, help us to be aware of the brokenhearted amongst us. Let us be agents of Your love and concern. Teach us how to take them by the hand and lead them to Your throne of grace.

Amen,

In His Love,

Doug

I would be careful of such generalized statements.

Psychology is defined as:
1 The science that deals with mental processes and behavior.
2 The emotional and behavioral characteristics of an individual, group, or activity: the psychology of war.
3 Subtle tactical action or argument used to manipulate or influence another: He used poor psychology on his employer when trying to make the point. (from dictionary.com)

By this, your reference to psychology is an employed action, ala the use of knowledge (reference 3). In this regard, it would be easier to say there is no magic pill to give somebody which will "fix" them, but this is an approach which is viably inappropriate of the subject rather than the councilor (note the distinction there.)

As such, your encouragement of someone to seek and pray is indeed a use of psychology, just not inherently of the "ph.d." variety. Psychology is a field, much the same as theology or philosophy - which means it is practically impossible to avoid. Just because we don't like the term doesn't make it less viable or even useful.

PT,

I actually agree with you. I made mention that I believe psychology to have demonic roots. What I was refering to is the man most call the father of modern psychology, Sigmund Freud. This man had an extreme hatred for God and the church. I have no proof that he was possessed, but I have my suspicions.

Regardless, it remains true that going to a psychiatrist, psychologist or even what passes for Christian counseling seems to have no real value. I am speaking in terms here of the Christian and true improvement in maturity or faith etc.

In the church I have seen two camps. One attempts to use psychology and apply it to believers. These churches may even have a counceling department or an offshoot para-church ministry. The other tends to reject psychology and as a result ignore the fact that many people do have internal damage and make no effort toward ministering to their pain. This is a classic example of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Somewhere there must be a balance. I do not believe it is possible to exist in this world and not have some degree of emotional damage. Certainly, many of us find that reading the word of God, prayer, worship etc. ministers to this pain and normal growth results. But some damage is severe enough that in spite of a salvation experience the emotional baggage makes growth slow to near impossible. Severe pain causes insecurity, fear, a lack of trust and an inability to have close relationships. This means that these believers in turn are incapable of using their gifts to further the kingdom.

It is my hearts desire to minister to this segment of the body. I believe there is a great need in this arena. I also have a deep desire to teach others to minister in the same capacity.

In His Love,

Doug

Just one brief comment. I struggle with the terminology in this discussion. Psychology as a word when mentioned in the church often elicits a knee jerk reaction because the hearer makes an association with secular psychiatry and has rejected such. What I want to communicate is simply the internal working of the mind. Unfortunately the english language doesn't have a word that makes this distinction clear.

Doug,

You have expressed my thoughts on this issue...and I agree. Some where there must be a balance.

When I worked at CPC we were taught methods on how to confront clients about their lifestyles: how to do it without creating any hostility, getting them to agree with you. Sounds good and for the most part it is. However, I soon realized we were appealing to the selfish mind of humans: what do you feel? how can it best serve MY interests? In time, the Holy Spirit convicted me that I should emphasize the Holiness of God as being the motivator to change. I did and the results were not impressive: what I said seemed to fall on hard soil. It was a concept too foreign to them: Me change just because God is holy and I am not? (Of course, it took some time to get to this point - I was not as blunt as this writing makes it appear.) So I decided the LORD wanted me to plant the seed and this is what was done..the results are up to God. But I promise to use psychology seems to get a more favorable hearing but no lasting results in the long run.

This has been my experience...

ginnyrose

Does the Bible contain the truth?

Does the Bible have all the answers?

Is there an area in which the Bible is insufficient?

how did the world get along for 1,900 years without it?

Is it a new truth?

just my 2 cents

TJ

Counselling and support from someone who can be more objective, outside the situation, even from non-Christian professionals, could make a huge difference in such a case.

God can use the devil to save someone, he can use anything. This does not mean we should look for answers outside of Him.

Only God can see into the heart. He is sufficient in all things. We must have faith in Him and Him alone.

TJ

I appreciate many of the points here. Certainly there are many angles to explore.

When I think of the horrendous ways that mentally ill victims used to be treated - I am deeply grateful for the research done in the field of psychology. Ignorance is certainly not a better option. Truth is truth, and it so happens that sometimes non-Christians discover it before the Christians do.

God can use the devil to save someone, he can use anything. This does not mean we should look for answers outside of Him.

Brother, I’m sure that you wouldn’t hesitate to go to a doctor if you had appendicitis. In fact refusing to do so could cost you your life. And, of course, you’d accept the fact that some of the health care workers overseeing you could be atheists.

Yet, I wonder why you would discourage one who is suffering from a psychiatric disorder or relational abuse this same privilege – that is, seeing healthcare providers in that area of expertise.

I suspect that those Christians who are strongly opposed to any kind of psychology/psychiatry have not had the opportunity to witness the suffering of the mind of those admitted to a psych ward - watched them agonize night and day, moaning and groaning in a corner, or washing their hands obsessively till they bleed, or starving themselves to death, or trying to kill themselves etc, etc. Objectors maybe never have worked in a mental health institution, - or even dealt closely with afflicted ones in church or family, or in themselves.

While I was in nurses training I worked in psychiatry, and I was absolutely overwhelmed by the degree of mental suffering that exists in our society. I had lived a sheltered life. After that rotation I wanted nothing more than to spend my life working with those who have sicknesses of the mind,and show them Christ's love. I wanted to be a psychiatric nurse. Of course, it didn’t happen officially, but in many ways God has brought various people into my life who suffer emotional distress. And I am thankful for the psychology and psychiatry that I have studied – as little as it is. In fact, when I was studying these courses I was amazed at how much better this discipline (in it’s ideal) seemed to be than the church at understanding the sin nature(maladaptive thinking, or whatever). The deeper awareness of their sin condition can help Christian move towards healing and repentance. (The church, in my experience, tends to view sin in terms of outer behavior, and this is very limiting) I am reluctant to change my view on that now, even though I am aware that psychology has been grossly abused, even by Christian practitioners and writers.

A caution: Before we denounce an entire field of science and medicine, we first need to consider reality: We live in a very sick world. Many people today come out of families that simply could not provide the environment needed to develop emotionally healthy adults. For various reasons we are seeing a lot of mental illness. That will be growing.

True, those troubles are a consequence of a society that rejects God, just as are the other ailments, ex cancer, etc… But, to the extent that we aren’t helping or can’t help, we should be extremely careful about denouncing those who are trying. After all, we could find ourselves some day at the receiving end.

This is a classic example of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Here’s another consideration: While we may not like this notion of “psychology”, we may actually be practicing it ourselves more than we realize. In fact, we Christians can all to easily designate ourselves as experts of other people’s “mind problems“ That is just what the Pharisees were doing, wasn’t it? They merely did a lot of “non-professional” judging, because of their ignorance – regarding themselves, regarding human nature, and regarding the value of mercy.

Diane

Jeannette

I agree very much. I was not trying to say we shouldn’t accept help from outside sources, I was just wanting to emphasize that we should not seek sources outside of him.

I have also been ministered to by some very unlikely people, places, and things. It is important to realize God’s ways are not our ways.

Why shouldn't He sometimes send non-Christian counsellors, or even a mentally ill woman, full of demons

I know he can and has used non-Christian counselors, but should we be looking to them for answers in the first place?

My concern is not with what he sends or in his abilities, but with where we seek.

God bless

TJ

Does the Bible contain the truth?

Does the Bible have all the answers?

Is there an area in which the Bible is insufficient?

how did the world get along for 1,900 years without it?

Is it a new truth?

I'm not sure what your point is here TJ. The point I am trying to make is precisely that the only means of ministering healing to the broken and shattered lives IS the truth. His word and more importantly He Himself. The problem is that few in the church are capable of even acknowledging the need for "psychological" healing. By this I mean that when someone dares to expose their pain to most Christians they often get some pat answer. This is not doing them any good and many times just adds another layer of pain. How many people have turned away from the church because they were rejected for lacking maturity when the reason behind it was a broken heart? Where is our heart? Are we not commanded to love each other?

May God have mercy on us all,

Doug

Diane

I will try to explain.

First of all psychology and psychiatry are 100% completely different.

Brother, I’m sure that you wouldn’t hesitate to go to a doctor if you had appendicitis. In fact refusing to do so could cost you your life.

Yet, I wonder why you would discourage one who is suffering from a psychiatric disorder or relational abuse this same privilege

I support psychiatry with all my heart. This thread was about psychology.

I suspect that those Christians who are strongly opposed to any kind of psychology/psychiatry have not had the opportunity to witness the suffering of the mind of those admitted to a psych ward

(1) Once again psychology and psychiatry are 100% completely different. You can not lump them together.

(2) I was placed in a psych ward for two weeks during high school.

Objectors maybe never have worked in a mental health institution, - or even dealt closely with afflicted ones in church or family, or in themselves.

(1) I work in the health field

(2) I have taken many psych patient transfers. Just me and the patient in the back of an ambulance…many lasting over two hours.

those who have sicknesses of the mind

This has never been proven by anyone…ever. The mind is not something that can have sickness. That’s like saying someone has a sick soul. We can have a sick brain, and brain illness and disease. This is where psychiatry comes in.

And I am thankful for the psychology and psychiatry that I have studied – as little as it is.

Me too. Before I was saved I went to five different psychologist and two psychiatrists.
I took high school psychology and two psychology courses in college. My sister is five credits away from having a degree in psychology.

A caution: Before we denounce an entire field of science and medicine, we first need to consider reality:

The reality is that psychology has never been and never will be a science. This has been proven. Psychiatry is a science, and has been proven to be such.

Many people today come out of families that simply could not provide the environment needed to develop emotionally healthy adults

This is nothing new. It didn’t just start happening. There is nothing new under the sun. How did Christians get along for 1,900 years without psychology?

True, those troubles are a consequence of a society that rejects God, just as are the other ailments, ex cancer, etc…

I agree.

we should be extremely careful about denouncing those who are trying

I have no problem if they are using the Bible.

Is God sufficient?

Does the Bible have all the answers or is it insufficient?

we could find ourselves some day at the receiving end.

I did, and that's why I've posted what I have.

I only have issues with psycho-therapy. That is what over 90% of today’s psychologists use and practice. Psycho-therapy is what is commonly thought of when someone mentions psychology.

I hope I have been clear. I have no issues or problems with people that like and use psychology. I just want to expose it for what it is.

TJ

It's very much a case of "Let my people go!" ..."Pharaoh" has such a hold on her that it will truly take a miracle, but there is also practical help available(such as in a woman's refuge) if she could only come to the point of being able to try to get away (She isn't allowed any money even for a bus fare, and has to account for every penny of the housekeeping).

May your friend experiences God's merciful intervention.

This is a work which Christians ought to be doing for each other all the time. But in general, we lack the patience of Christ, and most Christians who are not hurting, think the hurting ones should either buck up their ideas and stop needing help, or, should appropriate their healing from God without causing so much work for others in the process. Sigh.

I sigh too, Dorcas! If our churches functioned as hospitals for sick sinners and could facilitate healing, repentance, and victory, people would not need to turn as much to the secular professionals.

The Biblical teachings on love, one-anothering, family relationships etc are conducive to good emotional health. However, where unhealthy patterns become set in, it’s hard to reverse them. Hypocrisy tends to mask them.

As Doug points out:

The problem is that few in the church are capable of even acknowledging the need for "psychological" healing. By this I mean that when someone dares to expose their pain to most Christians they often get some pat answer. This is not doing them any good and many times just adds another layer of pain. How many people have turned away from the church because they were rejected for lacking maturity when the reason behind it was a broken heart? Where is our heart? Are we not commanded to love each other?

A psychologist once told me: "The churches keep them in business (esp RC and JW in her experience)." Doesn’t this reality make you realize that we, the church, really have little right to criticize the secular fields when we have contributed to the need for them?

Diane

I'm not sure what your point is here TJ.

I was just pointing out that we, Christians, do have the means to get the answers and help for these people you speak of. We need not go to outside sources like psychology.

Are we doing it…NO! We are not helping like we should, and I don’t have all the answers, but I know where they are.

I just wanted to point out the fact that we Christians have the right manual, not psychology. It is a sad day and times, but I see that some are abandoning the Bible and looking else where for cures that only come from the Lord.

TJ