Dave Hunt quotes two Christian psychologists as saying, “there is no acceptable Christian psychology that is markedly different from non-Christian psychology. It is difficult to imply that we function in a manner that is fundamentally distinct from our non-Christian colleagues. . . . As yet there is not an acceptable theory, mode of research or treatment methodology [in psychology] that is distinctly Christian.” Hunt then asks, “Then what is meant by ‘Christian psychology?’ Most laypersons imagine that there is indeed a psychology which is distinctly Christian. The professionals know, however, that they are involved in an attempted integration of atheistic and anti-Christian theories into Christian theology. Psychology is part of that very ‘wisdom of this world’ taught by ‘the spirit of the world’ which Paul rejected (1 Corinthians 2:5-14). Rapha founder Robert McGee frankly confesses that he joins the Holy Spirit in partnership with atheist Albert Ellis, who considers Christianity a cause of mental illness:
‘Changing how we think, feel, and act is a process that involves the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. . . . As a starting point, however, we will use a model adapted from psychologist Albert Ellis’s Rational Emotive Therapy.’
“Psychology comes out of the occult, is not scientific, and many of its leading professionals admit that it is destructive. The same legitimate criticisms that can be leveled against secular psychology apply equally to so-called ‘Christian’ psychology. Yet it has invaded the best pulpits and is a large part of the curriculum in Christian universities and even seminaries.”
If the roots of a system are bad, and there is no science behind the system, and the fruits of the system are bad, why should Christians be dabbling in it? Why do we have “Christian Psychologists” such as James Dobson, Larry Crabb, Gary Collins, et al, trying to syncretize the psych system with Christianity? “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14).
SUMMARY
The world view in which the roots of psych are firmly planted and fed is one of sexual perversion, humanism, evolutionism, atheism, the occult, hedonism and selfism. There is nothing scientific about the methods and theories, rather they are very much akin to witchcraft and shamanism, and we have seen that it is in fact a religious belief incompatible with Christianity. As would be - should be - expected of the roots feeding on this world view, the fruits produced are sexual perversion, sexual immorality, idolatry of self, eugenics, racism, lack of personal responsibility, spiritual anarchy, and the break up of the family unit. This fruit is harmful not only to the individual, but has brought much ruin on society in every aspect of it, even to the permeating of the church with so many programs based on the psych methods.
CONCLUSION
What about the Christian in need of counsel; what do we as the Church do with them and how do we go about getting the counseling help we might need? The obvious answer is that we go to the Bible. It claims to be sufficient for all our needs (2 Pet. 1:3) and the Holy Spirit is there to guide us into all wisdom.
According to Torrey there are four primary components of counseling no matter who is doing it, no matter what the qualifications or theory. These four components are: 1. a shared worldview 2. the personal qualities of the therapist 3. the expectations of the client 4. emerging sense of mastery in the client. Every one of these can be fulfilled with Biblical counseling.
Essentially, the worldview/culture is the most important feature. Torrey states that “all attempts at cross-cultural psychotherapy of which I am aware have been either difficult or unsuccessful.” Interestingly, he also states that, “Therapists in almost all cultures are closely allied with religious functions.” Since the Christian world view is based on the Bible, the Christian’s counselor should have the very same world view and be a Christian.
When it comes to item 2, the therapist must be someone who is moral and ethical, with worth and dignity and able to be respected. This may not even be the actual qualities, but may also be those projected on the counselor by the client. Torrey points out that the therapist-client relationship is a personal one in all cultures of the world. A church elder, pastor, or even a trusted friend who is seen as knowledgeable in the Scriptures should fulfill this role for the Christian.
The third component of client expectations is very important. As Torrey says, “Anything that raises client expectations aids this process.” He points out that, “The expectations of a client in psychotherapy are a composite of many factors. Hope is an essential element, and this in turn is related to trust in the healer or therapist. Trust is dependent on the personality characteristics of the therapist, and in this way the third component of psychotherapy (client expectations) interacts with the second (personal qualities of the therapist).” Can we not as Christian counselors give expectations of hope to our counselees?
Part of the process of client expectations is the important function of naming the problem, which Torrey calls “the principle of Rumpelstiltskin.” In relation to this Torrey says, “much of the naming process and the assignment of meaning can be looked at from the vantage point of increasing the client’s faith in the therapist and increasing the expectations of cure. It is the naming, in fact, that is the necessary first step; only when the malady is properly identified does the possibility of curing it become a real one.” With Christian counseling the identity of the problem is usually “sin.”
The fourth component is what Torrey calls “the Superman syndrome.” This is where the client is “convinced that their therapy has provided them with the knowledge, competence, insight, and understanding necessary to master life’s adversities. . . . ” The Christian counselor should provide the counselee with the proper biblical teaching and requirements of personal responsibility so that the counselee is certainly left with the ability to master the problem following the Lord’s instructions.
Biblical counseling is a valid field, and is sometimes known as “nouthetic” counseling. Leaders in this field include Jay Adams, whose books for Biblical Counselors are many and thorough. Let us as Christians seek the use of Biblical Counseling, and totally separate ourselves from the psych philosophies.
The following sources were were cited in this series:
Freudian Fraud, by E. Fuller Torrey, M.D.
Witchdoctors and Psychiatrists, by E. Fuller Torrey, M.D.
The End of “Christian Psychology,” by Martin & Deidre Bobgan
Occult Invasion, by Dave Hunt
Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship, by Paul C. Vitz
Beyond Seduction: A Return to Biblical Christianity, by Dave Hunt
Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology, by Ed Bulkley, Ph.D
Evolution in American Education and the Demise of its Public School System, by Lael Weinberger, located at http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2005/01/31/evolution-american-education
Additional recommended sources consulted:
Psychobabble: The Failure of Modern Psychology - and the Biblical Alternative, by Richard Ganz
Psychology and the Church, by Dave Hunt & T.A. McMahon
Psychoheresy: The Psychological Seduction of Christianity, by Martin & Deidre Bobgan
Deceptive Diagnosis: When Sin is Called Sickness, by Dr. David Tyler & Dr. Kurt Grady
Christian Psychology’s War on God’s Word, by Jim Owen
Psychologized Man: A Biblical Perspective, by Martha Peace
Manufacturing Victims: What the Psychology Industry is Doing to People, by Dr. Tana Dineen
James Dobson’s Gospel of Self-Esteem & Psychology, by Martin and Deidre Bobgan
TheoPhostic Counseling: Divine Revelation or Psycho Heresy? by Martin and Deidre Bobgan
Larry Crabb’s Gospel, by Martin and Deidre Bobgan
12 Steps to Destruction: Codependency Recovery Heresies, by Martin and Deidre Bobgan
ADHD: Deceptive Diagnosis, by Dr. David M. Tyler and Dr. Kurt P. Grady
Will Medicine Stop the Pain? by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Laura Hendrickson, M.D.
Self-Esteem: Are We Really Better Than We Think? by David M. Tyler, Ph.D
The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image, by Jay E. Adams
Recommended resources for Christian Counseling
Competent to Counsel: Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling, by Jay E. Adams
The Christian Counselor’s Manual, by Jay E. Adams
A Theology of Christian Counseling, by Jay E. Adams
The Christian Counselor’s Casebook, by Jay E. Adams
A Homework Manual for Biblical Living: Vol. 1 Personal and Interpersonal Problems, by Wayne A. Mack
Leaving Yesterday Behind: A Victim No More, by William Hines
Only God Can Heal the Wounded Heart, by Ed Bulkley, Ph.D
Curing the Heart: A Model for Biblical Counseling, by Howard Eyrich & William Hines
Counsel From Psalm 119, by Jay E. Adams
Helps for Counselors: A Mini-Manual for Christian Counselors, by Jay E. Adams
Hope & Help for Self-Injurers and Cutters, by Mark Shaw
The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image, by Jay E. Adams
From Forgiven to Forgiving, by Jay E. Adams
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