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Introduction
B. Definition of Psychology
• In one of the earliest Evangelical textbooks on psychology, written by
Hildreth Cross (1952) of Taylor University entitled An Introduction To
Psychology: An Evangelical Approach, she defines psychology as “the study
of the whole man (or organism) affecting and being affected by the total
environment. This definition is broad enough to include the study of both
man and animal…and, in the case of the former, his spiritual nature. It also
includes the effects of a physical environment, a social environment and—
yes—the influence of spiritual forces acting upon him” (italics added, p. 25).
• Much of modern psychology refuses to recognize the spiritual and defines
psychology as “the scientific study of behavior and mental processes…
‘behavior’ encompasses not just what people do, but their thoughts, feelings,
perceptions, reasoning, memory, and biological activities” (Robert Feldman).
2
Nevertheless the intangible aspect of the inner man or soul is critical to the
practice of psychotherapy.
C. Dispersion of Psychology
• Today most Evangelical churches, colleges, and seminaries accept psychology
and psychotherapy as authoritative disciplines. Many Evangelical pastors will
refer one of their flock to a psychologist for counseling.
• There are over 230-300 distinct schools of psychotherapy and counseling in
the United States alone.
• What does this say about speaking with confidence and authority?
I. History of Psychology and Christianity
“From its beginnings in supernatural beliefs, magic and taboo, psychology has
matured to a science of such broad proportions that professional psychologists
today must specialize on narrow fragments of the broader discipline.”
History of Psychology
1. Non-western contributions
• Animism – objects or trees have an indwelling principle or “soul,” and in
“hylozoism” the belief that matter has life or sensation.
• Egyptian Physician Imhotep (525 BC)
• Ancient Mesopotamians used incantations as psychosomatic medicine
• China – Buddhism; Chinese humanism
• Japanese Psychotherapy – Zen Buddhism
2. Classical contributions
• Aristotle (384-322 BC)
• Heracleitus of Ephesus (540-480 BC)
• Socrates
3. Medieval contributions
• Augustine of Hippo
• Thomas Aquinas
4. Renaissance contributions
• René Descartes (1596-1658 AD, some call him the father of modern
psychology because he makes a sharp distinction between the mind and
the body.)
3. Environmental determinism
• For Freud this means that man is a “socialized animal.” Man’s problems
are due to his wrong environmental influences as he has matured,
physically and emotionally. It essentially says that, at least in
psychological jargon, man is not responsible for the way he has turned out.
• Biogenetic psychology reduces man to the sum-total of his chemical parts.
He is nothing more than an evolved animal, hardwired to think, feel and
act at the dictates of his physical components. “Once an alcoholic, always
an alcoholic.”
• Scripture speaks of man as a depraved sinner, not as a determined victim.
Man is responsible for his choices and often achieves above and beyond
his expected capacity. Supernatural transformation through the work of
the Holy Spirit and the Word brings about unexpected and lasting change.
4. Psychical determinism
• Underneath every man is a “dynamic unconscious” which controls his
every thought, feeling, and deed. These unconscious factors are kept from
conscious recognition by repression and no one has control on its effect
upon his life.
• This dynamic can express itself in enigmatic ways such as dreams, tongue
slips, unusual emotions, and unhealthy relationships. A specially trained
therapist or analyst is the only person who can unlock their meaning.
• Biblically and scientifically, there is no such thing as a subconscious.
What is often confused by many “Christian” psychotherapists as
manifestations of the subconscious is the ruling motivations and desires of
a counselee’s heart that have become idolatrous.
5. Professionalism
• Integrationism has imported into Christianity a philosophy of soul-care
that requires professional degrees in psychotherapy in order to be
creditable in serious counseling situations. Christians plagued with major
problems of anxiety, fear, depression, suicide, chemical abuse, eating
problems, anger, or a host of other problems believe they cannot receive
bona fide help for their problems until they visit a mental health
“professional.”
• With this professional mentality comes an oppressive fee structure that
drains limited insurance plans and bank accounts. Many Christians who
see a “professional” psychologist quickly find themselves in debt and still
in need of help.
• Biblical counsel and help for serious problems do not require diplomas in
psychology or expense of professional offices and fees. Properly taught
Christians should be able to counsel one another (Romans 15:14;
Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14). The cure of souls is an ecclesiastical
duty.
6. Hedonistic teleology
• Contemporary Christians view psychology’s promise to bring them lasting
satisfaction and happiness compatible with their purpose in life. Churches
have noted this radical departure from classic Christianity and attempted
to appease this desire with contemporary forms of worship that have
immediate appeal in addressing “felt needs.” There is an essential
agreement between “Christian psychology” and the “seeker-friendly”
church. Both appeal to the sensual. The frequent themes of contemporary
worship sermons and Christian psychology are amazingly similar, if not
identical—addressing topics that revolve around the contemporary loss of
pleasure and satisfaction in life. The person who is experiencing
sensations of guilt, anxiety, panic, shame, or depression is searching for an
answer. Seeker services and Christian psychologists claim to offer the
cure and promote the notion that such feelings are abnormal and
unacceptable.
• Biblical Christianity understands that in a sin-cursed world these feelings
are not abnormal but are to be expected. Personal happiness and
pleasurable feelings are not the ends of the Christian life in this world.
God is. Our greatest joy and happiness is found in Him alone.
Psychologized Christianity abhors the thought of ultimate self-sacrifice
7. Insight Gnosticism
• Freud introduced insight-oriented therapy to psychology. Only the
psychologist has the insight to be able to identify what operates in a
persons “out-of-awareness” mind. He or she is the only one qualified to
be able to probe and interpret certain cryptic enigmatic clues that are given
off by the “subconscious.” These are considered to be clues essential to
the patient’s well-being. A variety of techniques are used to surface these
clues including hypnosis, catharsis, free association, dream interpretation,
facilitated recall, revivification, rebirthing, and more.
• Akin to Gnostic teachers of New Testament times, the psychologist
believes he or she possesses special abilities and insights into the psyche
that alone qualifies him or her to uncover these “subconscious” soul
problems.
• In Scripture the key to the problems of the soul is not buried in the
subconscious but in the heart. These problems do not require someone
with secretive insights into the levels of mental consciousness. The Bible
vividly and openly reveals these idolatrous desires to anyone who is
willing to read and study its insight (Ezekiel 14:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:6-
14; Colossians 3:5-17).
8. Evolutionary science
• “Christian” psychology borrows heavily from the secular psychologies, all
of which produce mountains of scientific research built upon evolutionary
presuppositions. Animal behavioral studies are considered authoritative in
human developmental theory. These studies have been used as the
foundational evidence for legal and educational principles for child-
rearing (e.g., hitting an animal makes it aggressive, and therefore, corporal
punishment of children turns them into violent adults).
• Evolutionary theists find a kindred spirit with “Christian” psychology
since they have integrated evolution into their Christianity.
• Christians who assume the Genesis account to be a non-poetical actual
record of creation (24-hour days) should find themselves at odds with both
the “Christian” evolutionist and psychologist. Man is not an evolved
animal. He is a distinct and unique creation of God. Made in His image
and likeness. Animal studies will never produce the authoritative material
necessary to deal with the man’s soul. Only God’s Word can do that.
9. Self-reliance
• Part of the atheistic assumptions of psychology is the self-empowerment
of man. Man has the ability to be able to find his answers within. This
philosophy predates Freud and stems from Enlightenment thinking. Freud
simply applied its implications to the talk-therapies. The patient has all
the answers concealed in the deep crevasses of his subconscious. He needs
to get in touch with the fundamental goodness inside and one of the ways
the patient is able to demonstrate his mastery over his problems is his
revelation that he finally is in touch with himself.
• Scripture makes it evident that man cannot trust himself. He will always
view the circumstances of his life in such self-favoring ways (Proverbs
16:2; 21:2). When man honestly looks within he finds evil (Ecclesiastes
8:11; 9:3; Mark 7:21-23). From a biblical standpoint self-reliance is self-
destructive and self-defeating.
10. Self-determinism
• Stemming from self-reliance is the extended thought of self-determinism.
Certain psychologies such as existential, logotherapeutic, rational-
emotive, and cognitive therapies promote responsibility to self. If you are
true to self you are able to master your future and form it into whatever
you desire, overcoming your problems by tapping the answers inside.
• Contrary to anthro-centric psychologies, soul cures are to be conceived
vis-à-vis with God. When this is done Jesus Christ is seen as the solution
and His cure receives the glory. Psychologists who are Christians will
always have difficulty giving Jesus Christ exclusive credit, much less
glory, for the cure because biblical truths had to be supplemented by
modern psychological insight in order to be compelling and relevant.
B. Conclusion