What You'll Discover in this Episode:
Theories vs. The Truth
Training up the next generation of Biblical Counselors
What is the right way to stand up for the truth? What makes the doctrine of the Sufficiency of Scripture so important?
In this episode of the Biblical Counseling Podcast, Pastor Jeff Christianson explains how Paul called people out who strayed from the truth such as Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Tim. 2:17). Just as Paul called people out we should also call people out who teach against the truths of the Bible. One of these people is Carl Jung a Spiritist and contemporary of Sigmund Freud (also false) who promoted unbiblical mystical and experiential methodology. Scientists/Psychologists are the “experts” that have become the authority in our culture. These people have so much knowledge but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 3:7) and have been propped up by people who will not listen to sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3). Psychology appeals to the flesh and has no lasting impact.
In this podcast, Pastor Jeff Christianson helps us see the importance of courageously standing firm on the sufficiency of scripture despite opposition. The doctrine of sufficiency of scripture is a minority position in Christendom. Sadly, many Christian universities and Churches are trying to integrate psychology and the Bible together. “And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25). When people disagree with the sufficiency of scripture we should do as Paul says by showing them love and kindness and by gently reproving or correcting them.
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One of the most important points made on this podcast has to do with the idea that the scriptures are sufficient. As Pastor Jeff said, its a minority of people within the church who are convinced that the scriptures are sufficient for everything we need. It is such a common idea that these theories can’t hurt any, in fact, it could help us understand some things, maybe even help shed light on some mysteries for us. I have thought along these lines in the past, and it made good sense to me at the time. But when we consider that we are dealing with ever changing theories compared to the never changed truth of God’s word, it makes no sense to use humanistic theories to help shed light on the scriptures or on the human condition. The bible is sufficient, and we would be wise to spend our time mining the truth of God’s word rather than the ever changing theories of man.
Thank you Pastor Jeff for another great pod cast, I trust in the sufficiency of God’s Word being everything we need for teaching, healing, counseling, correction and all our needs, I feel bad when I see how many people turn to psychology thinking that is the answer and it is only based on theories, and guesses and totally takes over and turns people away from scripture and truth. I used to also be intrigued with psychology till I started open my heart to God and realizing the more I got into the Word that was all I needed for everything, know I find myself wanting to get more and more into the Word and want to show others how God and the Word is sufficient for my every need and He can be enough for them also. It’s sad to see so many people turning from the Word and trusting in human psychological theories.
Hello Margaret, I think that is an awesome conclusion you came to, that you desire to dig deeper and deeper into the word of God. I agree completely. It would serve us and everyone around us much better if we dedicated ourselves to the word of God rather than chasing down man made theories.
Recently i said in one of my comments that we as people want control and always want to be in charge. When we label something or put a title on something that we have no idea about, we do this whether because we think we know what we are talking about, or where so afraid of not knowing what we are dealing with, so then which we label the next thing or the next person to feel secure because now we have a name for the situation, condition or circumstance as opposed to keeping it unknown, which reveals that we don’t know. Like doctors who are constantly labeling people, and not acknowledging that these labels stay with people for the rest of their lives until they wake up and no that our identity is not based on what the next person tells us who we are with their diagnoses, but it is what the lord says about us and who we are in Him.
You cannot listen to a talk show or news broadcast without hearing the term “experts”. This term is usually used to describe those that have great knowledge and insight into a particular field, and therefore can be wholly trusted. Panel discussions of the past would include clergy, but today it is dominated by leaders of culture, scientists, and psychoanalysts. This places the biblical counselor, who holds to the sufficiency of the Scriptures, in a shrinking minority. However, the theories of the psychologist are at best, guesses, estimates, and hypotheses. Their credibility is based largely upon the works of Carl Jung and others like him. This is in stark contrast to the Christian approach, which finds ultimate authority in the Bible itself, not in the human instrument. The days are here, where we will have to protect the sheep by calling some by name, in order to identify and protect them from dangerous doctrines of demons.
Thanks Jeff another powerful message! I am convinced that Gods word is sufficient for all of life and counseling. The word of God has never let me down, it is a constant companion and guide. I feel terribly sad thinking about how Gods word is usurped by man’s theories in our day. The modern churches seem to be psychology churches theses days. As a Christian I feel a call to purity and want no contamination in teaching I receive or give. The pure word is all we need: “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” psalm 19:8.
Thank you Anne Marie for your input on the pod cast, I agree with you that God’s Word is sufficient for all our life and counseling, like you not because someone told me about it but because it has never let me down, I know first hand what the Word has done for me and it is everything I need, It is very sad to see how people now a days would rather trust man’s theories over God’s Word,
This podcast spoke again about how the church has integrated worldly psychology into the counsel of the church. The church has accepted philosophies that aren’t true to teach Christians how to think and act. But we know that it is only through God’s word that we have the truth and instructions to really help people with their wrong thinking and problems. It is so important as a believer that we take to heart and meditate on 2 Timothy 2:24-25, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.”
I want to memorize these verses because it is vital that everything that I do is done in humility, gently with patience. It is so easy to become combative with someone when we disagree, instead of walking in love. I want to walk in love and lead people to the truth with patience and gentleness. This comes only through the work of the Spirit. I need more of the Spirit to help me live this way. These are very difficult times that we are living in. It seems like there is fighting everywhere over the smallest things. In order to bring peace into a situation we need to be willing to humble ourselves and to walk in the Spirit. I need more of Him.
I totally agree with you, Kristie. We need to plant 2Tim. 2:24-25 in our hearts so that we can alway respond to those that are seeking counsel in love and kindness. Even with those who disagree with us. To the best ambassadors of Jesus our Lord. Thank you for that reminder!
I feel your heart, Kristie. I am so with you, I need more of Him. I pray this daily that I will be His hands, feet, and mouth. It is for sure a daily battle, especially on these days that we are living. God is a good God, and I love that He has given us His Spirit to live in us so that we can live out the fruit of the Spirit.
It is imperative that we understand as Christians that the bible is more than a book, but the word of God that is living and active. When i think of the word of God, two words that comes to my mind are logos and rhema, and the reason why i am so eager to read the word, is because i know that i can take it personal and i know that God Himself will speak and reveal things to me that no book nor man with all their theories and opinions can compare to the revealing word of God.I pray before reading the word, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide me and teach me, so that I can fully understand and comprehend it, for in my own strength, i will never be able to.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Provervbs 14:12) is a very powerful Scripture. Many people that I’ve met with this kind of thinking are very one sided. They only allow for their version of truth and do not recognize God’s truth, which is biblical and absolute truth. So, I agree you have to approach them with humility in your heart and respond with the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bombarding them with Scripture or hitting them over the head with Scripture may prove to push them even further away, if not handled with grace. Remember grace is God’s unmerited favor towards us, something we don’t deserve but He extends to us anyways (receiving what we don’t deserve). First, it may win them to Christ, and second, if they are believers; it may win you your brother. When two or three are gathered in his name, He is there in the midst of them (Matt 18:20) if these in fact are Christian brothers and sisters integrating psychology; they have the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:4) (Roman’s 5:5). So it is our part to reprove, correct, exhort p, rebuke, and build them up in the truth of God’s Word. As disciples or counselors we can love them and edify them. We may not know where there thinking went askew of God’s Word or why, but we can bring them back and let God’s Spirit work on their hearts through His Word. “As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.” Some versions include- sharpen the countenance of his friend. More proof that this encounter should be done with love. Amen.
Amen, Brother!
I agree it is so important that when we need to correct someone it has to be done in grace. We have to check our heart and make sure we are not trying to win a battle but win a friend and to bring them to the truth in Christ. Often times I think it is easy for us to get caught up in being right instead of winning them to Christ.
All truth is God’s truth, is something that tries to elevate man’s truth to God’s truth. The side note that Pastor Jeff spoke of regarding dreams, i can relate to, i too, used to have dreams that i would based my spiritually from. I’ve spoken to people that their whole spiritual walk has been based on a dream that they had, and even though I do believe that God can use dreams or speak to you through them, my whole relationship with the lord will not be solely based on a dream that I once had. We often are bombarded when experts say things and involve science to make statements that aren’t factual. And using phycology is a theory, and for many years people have pursued truth through phycology, when we know that the truth is God and His word for His word is sufficient. The statement, they resisted Moses, they will resist us, and regardless we are called to be ready in and out of season, something that I strive for each and every day that goes by.
Very true Johan we do need to be ready to speak in and out of season, we can prepare ourselves in advance by studying the word and listening to God’s voice. A while back the Lord gave me a divine appointment to speak to a jehovah witness about Christ being God, after I was studying the deity of Christ the day before in bible college. I was amazed!
To be ready in season and out of season is essential to our Christian life. To know God intimately will help us to be honest, truthful, loving, gentle, and ready. We are to be ready to fulfill this amazing task God has given us as His children which is to disciple people into truth.
Thank you, Pastor Jeff. I stand in the sufficiency of scripture and as Paul gave the example in 2 Timothy 2:17, we have an obligation to do the same if we stand in this truth. It might not be comfortable to correct those that are opposing the sufficiency of scripture in our own church, but it is necessary and mandatory. My prayer is that I will follow Paul’s example of gentleness and kindness when I am correcting because I know that I could get upset with people that have been part of the body for a while and yet are believing in this stuff. The bottom line is that psychology is a theory and the Word of God is truth, and people deserve to know the truth. I love the passage in Proverbs 14:12 where it says that “there is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way of death”. Just because it looks good or seems right, it doesn’t mean is true.
Amen Ritter may God indeed help us to be gentle as opportunities arise for us to speak. Philippians: 4:5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” I practice thinking before I speak theses days.
Absolutely Ritter! We have to maintain a gentle and meek character as we address those that oppose the truth. The appeal of psychological theory is widespread, largely due to the fact that it rests on subjective truth. The experts are open to new theories, but not to absolute truth. This makes us appear as fundamentalists which are unyielding and unwilling to change. However stiff that makes us appear, the very nature of objective truth demands we remain steadfast or else embrace half-truths and whole lies.
Thats a great prayer to follow Paul’s example of being kind and gentle. One of the keys here, I think, is humility. We know that the word of God is the truth and that it is sufficient, since that is the case, it should cause be to have peace and that would help me to humble myself in the face of opposition.
I never understood how christians took on the teachings or theories of psychology and integrate them into their lives as a way to find healing and restoration. It reminds me of christians who believe in evolution. It doesn’t make sense to me. To bring in man’s theories and philosophies, into a counseling session, Is saying that God’s truth and character is not enough that we need to sprinkle a little fairy dust to make appear creditable. I can speak from experience that God is the ultimate healer for our broken souls. Through him and his truth he has healed and restored my broken spirit, and has given me a calling to come along side others on their journey for healing. I thank God everyday for his truth because its the only way to find relief from our trails and tribulations. He is the alpha and omega!
“I can speak from experience that God is the ultimate healer for our broken souls. ” I appreciate your honesty and personal encounter with the healing power of God. As was stated in the previous episodes, we must continue to be recipients of the Lord’s counsel on a consistent basis. When we preach, teach, or counsel others from head-knowledge alone, we deceive ourselves and can become modern-day Pharisees (denying the power of God). We aren’t just spokespeople, we are His clients also!
Thank you, David for your kind words. Without God’s counsel we would be lost in believing a lie that we can heal ourselves through positive mindset and behavior modifications. It’s the same lie throughout the ages that Satan spoke to Eve in the Garden that we can be like God.
If we as the next-gen consistently follow these commands of teaching and discipleship, we can grow and expand our team. We can become an army of well-taught believers who would be passing on the knowledge and experience of biblical balance and the full counsel of scripture in love and TRUTH. We as soldiers need to be properly trained and equipped for the battles and war that is ahead of us. The fight for Truth is one of the greatest we as believers face in this evil and corrupt world. So we must…
“Preach the word. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage people with GOOD (truth) teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths/theories. Keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Truth, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”