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Thank you for a refreshing and a way to discern the truth of scripture even through pastors.
Psychology is in our church buildings and we have been deceived that this is the only method to fix one’s afflictions, the power of self-love will cure-all. It is so incorrect. We need to be carefully watching and listening so we are not participants of this kind of deceit.
Thank you Pastor Jeff for insight and a Godly perspective.
The church where I was working as a Sunday school teacher is one that uses psychology to remedy sin, they refer people instantly and they “do not allow” people to counsel one another because they do not have a degree and they are afraid of a lawsuit. To me, this was unbiblical because most of the people that were referred they continued to carry a heavy burden and even left the church to another one seeking counsel from those whom they trust.
I decided to leave, we cannot ignore our gifts and blessings because we are afraid
That is so sad that the church you served at didn’t allow people to counsel one another in the Lord. I believe we can do that in most conversations we have with people. Everyone needs encouragement and God’s word. I hope that where you are now you are able to serve in that way.
Thank you pastor Jeff for another great podcast. It breaks my heart learning about how so many of our churches in our country seem to embrace any doctrine that seems fit for what they are trying to accomplish l, rather than sticking to the Truth of the Word of God. We as believers in Christ need to not take our counsel from the world, but from God. The heart of man is evil, so why would we go to the word for counsel?
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” ( Jeremiah 17:9-10) The Bible even tells us to not wake counsel from the unGodly. Psalm 1:1-3
It is heartbreaking for sure Greg how the churches are embracing something else besides the Word of God. As Jeremiah 17:9 says that our heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked so why would we want to take the counsel of the world; from ungodly people? God has been so gracious to us, that He provided His Word which is sufficient and gives life. I believe that this is a sign of the end times, and it is so sad. It grieves my heart to see believers not taking the Word of God seriously; no even to seek His counsel, and what this is showing is that there is not trust. They either trust God and His Word, or they don’t. Thank you Greg for your comment and the scriptures that you provided. God bless!
It is heartbreaking to see so many people hurting and taking their counsel from the world thinking that will heal them instead of going to the word of God to find help. In Jeremiah 17 before vs 9 in verse 7,8 it says, “blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” God is able to help those who trust in Him.
I agree with you Greg it is sad how so many churches in our country seem to embrace any doctrine rather then trusting that only thing that is sufficient for everything The Word of God. I have seen so many people even myself some times who tend to go by based what the feel and what their heart says for guidance not remembering that the heart is the most deceitful thing, that can keep you in the self mode and get you to trust in anything else but The Word of God.
Psychology can be defined as a religion in basic terms. Webster’s two main definitions for religion are as follows: “the belief in a god or in a group of gods/ an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods.”
The reality is that the gods many people serve are themselves and the organized system of beliefs that they adhere to are self determined instead of brought out of the Scriptures.
Psychology is a set of theories, based on observations, which claim to explain the inter workings of people’s minds. People place their trust and their hope in these organized theories for life change, for healing of their emotional states, and for answers to their problems. When people place their trust in these things, it is not much different from a Christian who believes in Christianity and looks for the same rewards and answers from knowing Christ.
Thanks for another great pod cast Pastor Jeff. Thanks for the reminder that we are called to be contenders of The Faith, and how Psychology is a faith but not The Faith and to many times people in the church try to get people to lean on psychology and go away from The Faith. If we are not careful we can get caught up in psychology that’s why it is good to stay in the Word and always lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance and not rely on self for anything. We should always be aware of the schemes of those trying to use psychology to get us away from The Faith. the best way to do that is to stay in the Word. always be humble and discrete when trying to correct others who are going against the faith.
With a large majority of the modern church having an affinity for psychology, Pastor Jeff courageously contrasts this current trend with the Scriptures. I am thankful for his confident and consistent stance on this pervasive issue. While it may be hard for some to see the religious undertones in mainstream church teaching/counseling, it becomes crystal-clear when it is contrasted to the Bible. There is more than science within the theories of psychology and practices of psychotherapists. When you pass the point of observable and verifiable scientific data, you often enter religious territory. It is evident in the philosophical answers that are given regarding life, the purpose of man, and the reason for man’s behaviors. Because of this, we cannot allow even the slightest mingling between psychology and biblical counseling because they are at odds with one another without any hope of reconciliation.
Thank you Pastor Jeff for another educational and informative podcast. I am thankful that you have spoken out about a religion that is not based upon God. It has been my belief for some time that the church has rolled over and covered their eyes to psychology. As 1 Timothy 4:1 says, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” It is clear there is apostasy advancing in our world.
I grew up during the era of fire and brimstone preaching. Those pastors would have not possibly thought about allowing man contrived processes into the church. Especially not by those who were not believers. They would have rejected and barred any such things from entering the church. They would have contended for faith and God as our sole source. While they were not necessarily preaching in a way that influenced me other than by fear, I still see they were church founders who were set on the Bible.
Jude tells us in verse 3 “to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Is psychology bringing people to faith? Is there a program, process, for faith development or growth within psychology circles? I do not see any statics by Barna Group or any other group to show how many of if any people received Jesus as their Savior do to the Psychology theories they were trained under. At least none that I am aware of. If there is no advancement of salvation or growth of faith is psychology of value to the church? Isn’t that the role of the church? To see people grow in faith or to confess Jesus as Savior. If, over time we see an advanced self-esteem in people under treatment of psychologists, will the church be satisfied? Or if there is no sign of improved self-actualization after years under the care of psychologists will the church still be accepting of psychology as beneficial? Isn’t the church today basically saying that they are accepting of any results or no results of self-esteem improvement from psychological treatment? I wonder why the church is affirming increased self-esteem as a proper achievement in psychological therapy. Isn’t there to be less of ourselves and more of Him? John 3:30 :He must increase, but I must decrease.” Therefore, how can we not conclude that psychology is a separate religion in contrast to faith in the Lord and purpose of the church.
This podcast was so insightful. To know and to understand that psychology is a form of religion, it is not science. There for it is in contrast to Biblical counseling. Psychology seeks to change the way a persons morals and values through modifying behavioral change. AW Tozer’s quote about the church giving referrals to members to see a psychiatric is powerful. How often do we do that? Thinking that the Bible isn’t enough for a person’s problems. I loved that AW Tozer went on to say, “Jesus came to bring an end to self not to educate or tolerate it or to polish it.” Jesus said, that we are to deny ourself. It is a struggle in the culture we live in to live this way. We want to preserve ourself and protect ourself, not deny ourself. We need to trust the Bible to do the internal work in a person, to change their mind, morals and values. Only God in His word is able to do this. 1 Timothy 4:6 says, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” This is our calling and it should be our practice.
Kristie, I found this week’s episode insightful as well. While most of the world is enamored with “self” (Self-esteem, self-help, self-improvement etc.), they utterly abhor the concept of self-denial and self-control. As Christians, we have to guard ourselves against these seductive teachings and lovingly admonish our brothers and sisters to do likewise. Our fleshly nature constantly wants to be nurtured, fed, and catered to. Only through submitting to God and His Holy Spirit can we overcome the temptation to feed our ego instead of our feasting on His Word.
Thanks for sharing your insight on the pod cast, I agree with you in the culture we live to many people are in self mode, and tend to turn from God when things don’t go their way, or they get caught up in selfless acts and try to lean upon their own understanding and replacing the guidance that the Word gives because something doesn’t go their way. We need to trust God to do the internal work on others thru the scripture and The Holy Spirit instead of trying to do things in our own way.
Thank you for sharing your insight, I agree with you. How often do I rely on earthly fixes for a heavenly target? God’s word is sharper than any double-edge sword, scripture for some is scary due to how intense and relatable it is.
My friend says truth hurts but when you ad scripture and love it calms the pain
While I do believe there are elements of religiosity in Psychology, like most things, I think comparing it to mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses is misled. Mormonism and JW are cults formed upon misreadings of the Scriptures and there are numerous contradictions to orthodox doctrine. Saying that Psychology is even or as misleading as these I think is interesting. If there are blatant psychological studies and evidences against Christianity I have no read or seen them. I just don’t see Psychology as being a competing religion, I see it as a scientific study that can help and hurt. If one treats psychology as a religion, this is wrong. But I don’t see this in the pyschology studies world. I see people trying to do honest study for the most part. Now, should we just succeed to only psychological thought? NO! but I don’t see the evidence of it being anti-christian. I would also like to note that I don’t think comparing Psychologists to the sorcerers in Acts as a valid example. Sorcerers (in acts) were people trying to produce magic by the power of the gods of Rome. This is a blatant act against the God Yahweh, not someone studying the mind and human pattern. Yes, we should stand up against false doctrines, and yes we should be overwhelming careful in regards to the studies of psychology as to not be misled, but to demonize it, I believe is a stretch.
I obviously don’t at all want to be negative, and I agree with a lot was said. I think Mr. Christianson was spot on with the talking about spending time integrating is probably time wasted. I agree that we need to do a MUCH better job in discipling from the Scriptures rather than from outside sources, and so on. I just think to say that psychology is factually and statistically against the Scriptures is void of evidence and cant stand.
Thanks Jeff for being brave enough to speak out about the philosophy of psychology and how it is an actual religion, belief system in and of itself and is the opposite to Christianity where the individual lives by dependence upon God and the sufficiency of scripture. I was thinking of that verse that says we cannot serve two masters Matthew 6:24. We serve God or put something else as our God in this case the philosophy of psychology.
I’ve begun reading a Jay Adams book on the biblical view of self esteem, self love and self image which has been great. Am so blessed to have access on my kindle to good books.
When I was in school we were taught that it’s important to have a good self esteem but while following that philosophy I became very selfish and destroyed my life but on becoming a Christian I admitted my sinfulness before God and turned away from self, having Christ as my Lord.
It’s scary to think that psychology is a religion, isn’t it? So many people we care about have been influenced by psychology without even realizing it’s dangerous. Thank you for mentioning Matthew 6:24 – such an important point! I think American Christians have gotten lazy about our faith; we take it for granted and don’t “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12). Many of us worship other gods without realizing it. We need to exhort people to seek God sincerely and diligently, and make sure we’re also seeking Him first.
Very true Athena Christians have gotten lazy about their faith and we need to examine our hearts and recommit our lives to God and to love the Lord your God first. Matthew 22:37. And remove any idols we have put before God. I always pray for Revival, may God’s will be done.
Anne Marie, thank you for your post. Soon after I went into the work force after college I was struggling emotionally. I was a nobody and a nothing in the company. As I should have been but I didn’t get it. I had a college education and I knew lots of things that would make the company function so much better. I decided to go to counseling to help me understand. I came away a cocky, arrogant person with huge self-esteem and self-actualization. I remained nothing in that company until God got ahold of me and brought me under His service and I served my superiors. As you said, and I concur, We cannot serve two masters. Thank you for the great reminder.
Thanks Jerry I found your story encouraging.
Anne, I have to get my hands on some of those Jay Adam’s books. The teaching and exaltation of self is engraved in every part of modern Western culture. Popular culture has embraced the “American Dream”, with its pursuit of happiness at all costs. Christianity, in contrast, says to deny yourself. This is offensive to most, but it is actually liberating to me. In serving self, you are fixated, but never fulfilled for long. The passing pleasures of sin never last long enough and the corresponding conviction cannot be denied. Let’s encourage each other to stay the course!
Thanks David that is true that the popular culture is based on self and so many people are committing suicide due to the pressure of keeping up appearances. I was suicidal myself before I came to trust in Christ. In Christ I found peace and hope and a way out from the pressure of self exaltation.
Today we see People being influenced by pop psychology as it creeps into the church. I know that when i was much younger and immature in faith, i can say i too was influenced by pop psychology and its teachings. I can relate when you said that you wrestled with these things. “Physiology is a competing religion versus the faith once for all delivered to the faith, and that anybody that compromises with the faith, we need to be aware of and stay away from especially those who speak from a compromising perspective of Physiology for phycology is religion. We need to be like Paul being holy spirit filled, not only on how we live and what we say but also, who do we allow to speak into our lives. I know that if someone is teaching something that is not factual and teaching that come from emotions and feelings, and personal opinions that may sound good only because let’s say there’s a lot of passion within the individual, doesn’t mean that everything that is being said is right and biblical. If we do not correct these individuals that are teaching a false doctrine, or using psychology especially in a church setting, we need to restore them gently and out of love and allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us and appoint them to the word of God as a foundation of where you stand.
I appreciate your response Johan to this week’s Podcast (Psychology is a Religion); especially in highlighting that ‘People are being influenced by pop psychology as it creeps into the church.’. In line with Pastor Jeff’s teaching; the two issues presented by A. W. Tozer can be seen as ‘two approaches to life’ – ‘man is not so bad; just give him a boost; give him a little bit of help’ and the other is that ‘man is depraved; needs a whole new life in Christ; needs to be born again; the old life crucified/ executed upon the cross‘. We can’t integrate these two just like we can’t integrate light and darkness.
Like you reflected, this is the kind of problem that can be seen creeping into the Church; some 80% to 90% Church leaders/ members having an affinity for psychology or caught up or influenced (whether on purpose or not) by psychology creeping into the Church. We must be alert of these things as Biblical counselors; wrestling with them; not integrating the two (Bible and psychology).
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
It’s so tricky, isn’t it? While we have a responsibility to confront teachers who deviate from the truth of God’s Word, there is a risk involved. We have to be coming from a place of sincere humility; like you said, many of us have been influenced by false teaching and/or modern psychology in the past. That’s such a good place to start, because we remember that we’re not better than anyone. Deception is rampant, and we have the opportunity to say, “Hey, here’s what God has taught me about this,” we can share the truth with enthusiasm rather than condemnation. We have to be so careful not to villify anyone or assume they’re teaching false doctrine with evil motives.
Athena, thank you for presenting this important point. I can be quick to address false doctrine or teaching in a less than loving way. However, I realize that we can win arguments but lose the soul in the process. We should be enthusiastic sharers of the truth that we have partaken of ourselves. I believe one of the reasons many subscribe to psychological theory is because it compliments without any conviction. Christians can often have the right answers, but the wrong attitude or approach. Thank you again for the insight and I pray that I will be led by the Spirit in bringing correction and instruction.
It is so important to be watching and making sure that the body of Christ is being edified, and admonish according to the Word of God, and not according to another source that might have some Bible verses in it and not according to opinions that as you said, it might sound good. The enemy works overtime every day and is looking for those people that are vulnerable and are looking for a word that will bring comfort. The enemy works with people’s emotions and will use even the believer to bring untrue or part of true to the most vulnerable. We have a responsibility as brothers and sisters in Christ to stop that lovingly and like you said, to restore them and let the Holy Spirit be the One who speaks and also to bring them back to the only Source which is the whole counsel of God; the Bible.
Yes it is true that sometimes a person may speak part truth from the scripture that may sound good, but we need to give the whole counsel of God. We are not to give in part so that a person may feel good about themselves. True help comes only when a person sees themselves in light of scripture and allows the spirit to work in them.
Thanks Pastor Jeff for this week’s Podcast on ‘Psychology is a Religion’. The Holy Spirit expressly/ specifically/ pointedly/ openly says that in the last days (characteristics of the end-times), some will depart from the faith (apostasy) and as they do, they will give heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). We as Biblical counselors are called to contend earnestly for ‘the faith’; at least to have our minds renewed because once we have a Biblical theology and discernment; we can exercise our thinking faculty with God (think with God) by the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit; we can instruct people in line with 1 Timothy 4:6 as we perform the non-optional service of ‘reproving/ rebuking/ warning’ people that are involved in integrating psychology with the Word of God because we believe that the Bible teaches about itself that it’s sufficiency (important but controversial doctrine) and it’s also provocative (initiates emotional responses).
Talking about ‘self-esteem’; consider the quote from A. W. Tozer (‘it is in this matter of how to deal with man’s proud and perverse and sinful human nature that we discover two positions within the framework of Christianity. One position is that which leans heavily on the practice of psychology and psychiatry. There are so-called Christian leaders who insist that Jesus came into this world to bring about an adjustment to our ego. So, there are thousands of referrals as clergymen shift the problems from the Church to the psychiatric couch. On the other hand, thank God the Bible plainly says that Jesus didn’t come to adjust our egos or end our concern with self-esteem. But Jesus came to bring an end of self, not to educate, tolerate or polish it.’). The two issues presented by A. W. Tozer can be seen as ‘two approaches to life’ – ‘man is not so bad; just give him a boost; give him a little bit of help’ and the other is that ‘man is depraved; needs a whole new life in Christ; needs to be born again; the old life crucified/ executed upon the cross‘. We can’t integrate these two just like we can’t integrate light and darkness. This is the kind of problem that can be seen creeping into the Church; some 80% to 90% Church leaders/ members having an affinity for psychology or caught up or influenced (whether on purpose or not) by psychology creeping into the Church. We must be alert of these things as Biblical counselors; wrestling with them; not integrating the two (Bible and psychology).
Comparing and contrasting psychology with the Bible – there is a religiosity to psychology. Psychology is a competing religion versus the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). The true faith; the true Biblical Word of God; a relationship with Jesus Christ versus a religion. We can call psychology a religion – psychology isn’t fully medical science. Even though it has some medical applications because medical doctors can prescribe medicine like the psychiatrists; some scientific applications/ implications because they overlap (observe/ document/ have quantifiable statistics/ etc.) and these aren’t our concern. We as Biblical counselors aren’t against medical science that’s observable/ documentable/ quantifiable statistics, but we are talking about the philosophy of life: who we are/ how we are made/ how we change/ how we got here/ where we are going/ etc. These kind of philosophical this are kind of religion.
Consider Carl Jung’s quote (he is like a father to most of these (the least demonically afflicted; probably demon possessed)), and one of the big five of the theoreticians in the field of psychology wrote – ‘Psychotherapist or the Clergy? Modern man in search of a soul’. He appeals to the field of religion and that’s why a lot of what he wrote/ integrated in trying to integrate the clergy has grown to many branches; declaring that ‘religions are systems of healing for psychic illness. That is why patients force the psychotherapist into the role of the priest and expect and demand of him that he shall free them from their distresses. That is why we psychotherapists must occupy ourselves with problems which, strictly speaking, belong to the theologian.’ The Church doesn’t even know this declaration of Carl Jung (dead, blind, demonically hassled, possibly possessed theoretician) with so much deception coming to the Church. Carl Jung saw the religious development of psychology quite clearly.
Consider another quote from the book called ‘Psycho heresy’; stating that ‘because psychotherapy deals with meaning in life, values, and behavior, it is religion in theory and in practice. Every branch of psychotherapy is religious. Therefore, combining Christianity with psychotherapy is joining two or more religious systems. Psychotherapy cannot be performed, and people cannot be transformed without affecting a person’s beliefs. Because psychotherapy involves morals and values, it is religion; and very often, Eastern religion (Hindu; Buddhist; etc.). Therefore, the therapist is not in the business of healing diseases but rather of teaching new ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. He actually is a teacher, not a doctor.’.
That’s a good observation; instructing what life is all about; what we are as people; as God’s creation and we don’t need to go far to know that the Bible was given to us to define what life is all about and the Bible is sufficient for these things. There’s the deep sense in knowing that psychology is a competing religion; not a science and that’s not what we as Biblical counselors are contending earnestly about – it’s not the sciences; how they interpret their findings.
It’s about people being obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7); not a religion (a faith like psychology) and they can’t be mixed up/ integrated. People usually say – what faith are you? This is ‘the faith’ and can’t mix with religion (Mormonism/ Hinduism/ New ageism/ Jehovah witness/ etc.).
Acts 13:6-12 has important contrasting issues; not just two competing philosophies of life – one is deceit and a lie while the other is the faith (the objective content of our faith is the Word of God). We must not compromise the faith and warn people about it; doing like the early Church leaders did in dealing with these things that compromised the faith.
Welcome to the early Church – Paul duly complied with Jude 1:3 (… contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.) – No compromising/ accepting concerning the Word of God and Christianity (Acts 14:19-22).
My takeaway is hinged on the faith; in contrast to a false religion/ psychotherapy/ philosophy/ psychological theories (the Bible (relationship with Christ) versus psychology (religion)) and we must deal with these issues meekly, with humility, carefully (not cutting ears off with the sword) but contending earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Thank you, Pastor Jeff, again for the podcast. My heart grieves to see how our churches are integrating Psychology and the Bible. I see it so often among believers all over. The Bible is so clear about its sufficiency and there is no need to integrate Psychology with the Word of God. This is another trick of the devil to confuse and to destroy what God has given us as believers. It is weird and sad but not surprising to see how we can see with more clarity the way people think and how they are accepting other methods to help them in their struggles. When Paul was confronting the Sorcerer in Acts 13:10-12, it shows how clear it is that we are not to compromise the Word of truth which is the Word of God. God will hold accountable all who bring other sources to what God has been made clear and saying that His Word is sufficient. You are so right when you said that we need to wrestle against this lie in our churches. We are living in a very scary time because we can for sure see how believers are believing this lie and accepting it as part of the faith. Again, this is a trick of the devil and we are to be aware and to bring it out on the open without being afraid. And as you said, we are to deal with this in a kind, humbly, and loving way, but also not compromising or sugar coding anything. It is hard for me at times to be kind about it especially if I have brought it up other times. My (blood) sister once called me out because of something I said that was true according to scripture, but the way I said it, was not good; I have to practice patience. We need to be aware of what’s going on in our churches with Bible studies and others meeting to make sure that this kind of acceptance is not happening. We need to be in our knees today more than ever. Thank you again, Pastor Jeff and God bless!
Thanks Ritter for your submission to this week’s Podcast (Psychology is a Religion); particularly for grieving like a true Biblical counselor concerning Churches that are integrating Psychology and the Bible. Such Churches are unlike the early Church and Apostle Paul who duly complied with Jude 1:3 (… contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.) – No compromising/ accepting concerning the Word of God and Christianity (Acts 14:19-22).
The Church of God must begin to contend earnestly for the faith; in contrast to a false religion/ psychotherapy/ philosophy/ psychological theories (the Bible (relationship with Christ) versus psychology (religion)) and the Church must deal with these issues meekly, with humility, carefully (not cutting ears off with the sword) but contending earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).
When you mentioned sorcerers in the book of acts, I automatically started to think of the magicians mentioned in the book of exodus, and how they were impersonating something that they weren’t, but yet it looked as if they were getting powers from their so-called higher power. We need to be careful of who we let speak into our lives, and I really respect when preachers say to not take their word for it when they are preaching but for us to look up and research for ourselves.
How fascinating that even humanistic Carl Jung recognized the need for ministers to step up and disciple people! I think sometimes we’re reluctant to offer counsel because we think people aren’t interested, but in reality people are seeking counseling or “therapy” in droves! Biblical counsel is desperately needed, and I am so thankful for each person who is answering that call. I am grateful for the privilege of offering counsel, as well as receiving it. We all need someone to speak wisdom into our lives, and we all need to be reaching out to those around us who are struggling and hurting. The best way to love others is to lead them to Jesus.
I was also overwhelmed to know that Carl Jung wrote – ‘Psychotherapist or the Clergy? Modern man in search of a soul’; appealing to the field of religion and a lot of what he wrote in trying to integrate the clergy has grown to many branches; declaring that ‘religions are systems of healing for psychic illness. That is why patients force the psychotherapist into the role of the priest and expect and demand of him that he shall free them from their distresses. That is why we psychotherapists must occupy ourselves with problems which, strictly speaking, belong to the theologian.’ The Church doesn’t even know this declaration of Carl Jung (dead, blind, demonically hassled, possibly possessed theoretician) with so much deception coming to the Church. Carl Jung saw the religious development of psychology quite clearly.
May God help the Church to take her rightful position to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).
Thanks for your post Athena.
I like when you stated “I think we are reluctant to offer counsel because we think that people aren’t interested but in reality people are seeking counseling or therapy in droves”. I can relate to thinking that people rather not hear me give advice or suggest anything to them especially where I work Most of the students that sign in to the program I work for have a mindset that is stuck in their ways of living, they know everything and they are not willing to learn but think that they are in a position to only teach especially when they are older than you. I know that when it comes to the word of God which is true, and the definition of love, two characteristics that remain standing and are attributes that God allows us to have when speaking to people that are considered stubborn and hard headed. At times they don’t want to hear anything I have to say, but as long as I continue to do God’s commandment which is to love my neighbor as myself, and walk a selfless life, love is communication, and it stands firm because it is in God.
Athena, thank you for your inspiring post. I agree that there are so many searching for therapy or counseling…biblical counseling. They know they have a desperate need but the vast majority only know of psychological therapy. Could it be that because of the high cost of secular therapy and lack of insurance coverage for mental health counseling that perhaps we biblical counselors will have a way to become more valued and referred much more? I know some health care companies are paying a portion of counseling but still not enough for those without savings. Many consumers are barely scratching out a life as they are trying to keep up with the Kardashians. Thank you for the vital truth that we all need someone to speak wisdom into our lives, while reaching out to those around us. Jesus remains and will always be the answer. Thanks again.
Amen, thank you for sharing.
I see people through the pantry ministry at my work and the pain and suffering in their eyes is heartbreaking. Some are willing to talk others want to wait for their pastor and a small part just negate their feelings. but it makes me wonder how come leaders of the church are not doing check-ups especially right now. it is saddening, some church leaders are forgetting or ignoring that taking care of the flock is not only by words but by actions.
It was striking that Carl Jung saw that it was the responsibility of the ministers to disciple the people. I do think either people aren’t interested or that I am not equipped to counsel people. But like you said, “The best way to love others is to lead them to Jesus.” So true.