Christianity has always provided answers for soul-problems. Over the last century, psychology has also claimed to have answers for such issues, and most of these answers are not compatible with Christian answers. Disagreement among Christians has developed regarding how much and in what ways psychological findings should be absorbed into the ways Christians think and live. How do we relate our traditional Christian views with what psychology tells us? This lesson is designed to help us answer that question.

I. Definitions

A. Psychology is that branch of knowledge that deals with issues of the mind and human nature. The word psychology is based on the Greek word psuche, “soul.” So psychology is the study of the soul, the mind, the inner man. It is an attempt to define and explain the inner workings of the mind. Psychotherapy deals with the social, mental, and emotional aspects of an individual. Psychotherapists attempt to alleviate or cure emotional, mental, and even spiritual suffering and to establish new patterns of social behavior. Psychology does not deal with the biology of the brain, but with the activity of the mind and the social behavior of the individual. Psychology describes and attempts to explain consciousness, behavior and social interaction. A psychiatrist is a doctor; a psychologist is not.

B. Virtually every issue of life can be thought of as connected to psychology in some respect—belief, memory, emotion, conscience, identity, will, attitude, action, speech, imagination, perception, desire, assumption, cognition, language, learning, etc.

C. We should think in terms of psychologies, rather than a unified field of study called psychology. Today there are fully developed sub-fields within psychology that specialize in specific issues. Psychology as a field of study is by no means unified. Contradictory theories abound, and well-established ideas are often overturned by further research. Freud’s theories, for example, once so commonly held among psychologists, now find few adherents among professionals.

D. Psychology has had an immense impact on our society. Who doesn’t know what dysfunctional means? What Ritalin or Prozac are for? What group-therapy is? Why self-esteem is so important? Our nation is obsessed with how we feel, what we think, what we worry about. Psychological ideas have become part of our culture.

II. Leaders in psychology

Within the last 150 years, a great many scholars have suggested theories that supposedly explain how the mind works and how to fix problems associated with the mind. Below are several of the most influential psychologists.

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939): Freudian concepts and terms have so permeated our society that they are generally treated as facts about human nature (although most Freudian “facts” have been disproven). Freud was adamantly opposed to Christianity. He believed that religious doctrines are all illusions and that religion is “the universal obsessional neurosis of humanity.” Freud is the father of psychoanalysis. He taught the following:

• One’s unconscious mind drives behavior more than one’s conscious mind. The unconscious mind is the primary motivating factor in all human behavior.
• Dreams are keys to understanding the unconscious and thus the person.
• Present behavior is determined by unresolved conflicts from childhood.
• Many people deny their problems because they have repressed unpleasant memories into the unconscious.
• Parents are to blame for most people’s problems. People are victims and not responsible for their behavior.

B. F. Skinner (1904-90): Skinner became the foremost proponent in the U.S. of the behaviorist school of psychology, in which human behavior is explained in terms of physiological responses to external stimuli. In other words, behaviorists teach that human life is little more than responses to stimuli. Given the right training, one may condition individuals to respond in a desired way. Man is like a robot—he simply follows the program given to him.

Abraham Maslow (1908-70): Maslow is famous for concocting his “hierarchy of needs.” If one has his basic needs met, such as food and shelter, he can then focus on other needs, like learning and showing compassion. At the top of the list is “self-actualizing,” that is, self-fulfillment, a state of confidence and contentment. One can self-actualize only when his needs for security and significance are met. Those who do not have their lower needs met cannot be expected to behave in a socially acceptable way. One’s behavior is thus based on his environment. Maslow is largely responsible for the current emphasis on self-esteem.

Carl Rogers (1902-87): Rogers is known for non-directive, “reflective” counseling. The psychologist does not give advice to the client; he simply helps the client find the solution within himself. Every person has the resources within himself to solve his problems. This is the essence of liberal, humanistic thought. The worst thing one can do is criticize or judge. The counselor should never give advice or suggest what is proper or improper behavior. Rogers also developed the encounter group. The psychologist helps a group of people explore their feelings, values and beliefs. Rogers’ techniques are very common in modern psychotherapy.

Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961): This Swiss psychiatrist emphasized understanding the psyche through exploring the worlds of dreams, art, mythology, world religion and philosophy. Though not the first to analyze dreams, he has become perhaps the most well known pioneer in the field of dream analysis. Much of his life’s work was spent exploring Eastern vs. Western philosophy, alchemy, astrology, sociology, as well as literature and the arts. Jung cautioned that modern humans rely too heavily on science and logic and would benefit from integrating spirituality and appreciation of the unconscious realm.

Modern self-empowerment guru Wayne Dyer seems to be carrying on Jung’s legacy.

III. Errors of secular psychology

Christians should be skeptical when considering the claims of psychology, because many of the “assured results” of this so-called science are far less than credible.

A. Modern Psychology Eliminates Human Responsibility.

“Pass the buck” seems to be a constant in human history. Nobody wants to take responsibility for his own actions. Adam blamed Eve (and God) for his sin. Eve blamed the serpent. People still want to blame others for their problems.

Freud made blame shifting a science. One’s parents, his circumstances, his boss, his wife, or any number of external causes are to blame for his misbehavior. Maslow taught that one cannot behave properly unless he feels secure and significant. Skinner taught that one’s behavior is simply a result of how the individual was programmed. External forces are to blame, not the individual himself. Is it any wonder that we live in a society in which lawsuits are so common? Nobody wants to take personal responsibility.

The Bible clearly teaches that God holds each person responsible for his own sins.

• Dt 24:16 Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.
• Eze 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
• 2 Ki 14:6 … the Lord commanded, saying, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; but a person shall be put to death for his own sin.”
• Je 31:30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.

Rogers taught that the worst thing a counselor can do is give advice. But the Bible commands Christian counselors to rebuke people when they sin and call them to repentance and accountability. Jesus gives the procedure to follow when confronting a fellow believer about sin (Mt 18:15f). Paul commends the Roman believers for their ability to admonish one another (Rom 15:14). The word admonish means “to warn, exhort, or counsel.” Pastors are responsible to “reprove, rebuke and exhort” their congregations (2 Tim 4:2). Paul urged Timothy to rebuke sinners publicly so others would fear (1 Tim 5:20). Believers are called upon to watch out for each other and warn those who sin to repent. The Bible is clear in its emphasis on personal responsibility.

B. Modern Psychology is a Self-Contradictory Failure.

Freudian psychoanalysis is a total failure. Research has proven that many of those with “mental illness” are not helped in the least by Freudian psychoanalysis. Many who experience mental problems recover with no psychiatric treatment. Others who seek help from secular psychology end up spending years in therapy and spending thousands of dollars without every making much improvement. Even those in the counseling business admit that they are often powerless to help people overcome their problems. Evidence suggests that psychotherapy actually creates more problems than it solves. Psychotherapy is a “pseudo-science riddled with contradiction and confusion.”

Psychology, as a “soft” science, is in constant flux and far from producing consistent, verifiable results. After a century and a half of “scientific” study, there is still little consensus among psychologists on how the mind works and why it sometimes fails to work. Unfortunately, the dubious principles of modern psychology are presented in the media as though they were authoritative and indisputable. Christians have good reasons to be very skeptical of the unverified claims of psychology.

Much of modern psychology has more in common with pagan religious rituals than it does with science. Psychologists suggest that one creates his own reality with his mind. One must visualize and imagine what he wants. Many modern psychological practices are nothing more than New Age mysticism in “scientific” costume.

C. Modern Psychology is Hostile to Biblical Christianity.

Psychology is a very deceptive and dangerous theory conceived in the mind of unredeemed man in his state of rebellion against God as the answer to his problems. Common to all psychological teaching is a defective view of the nature of man. Secular psychology asserts that man is basically good and able to solve his problems (when properly “enlightened”).

Secular psychology starts from a naturalistic, humanistic point of view that contradicts many of the essential teachings of the Bible (e.g., man’s inherent sinfulness, the reality of guilt, the objective nature of morality). Many of the primary leaders of psychology were vehemently anti-Christian and that attitude is reflected in their approach to therapy.

Note the following differences between secular psychology and biblical Christianity:

Psychology	Christianity
Behavior is motivated by the subconscious.	Little or no evidence of the subconscious.
Childhood experiences and external circumstances motivate behavior.	Present moral choices motivate behavior.
One is not responsible for his immoral behavior.	Each individual is personally responsible for his own behavior.
Religion is an illusion.	Genuine faith is valid and legitimate, based on historical and spiritual realities.
Modern psychology, not the Bible, has the answers to man’s problems. The Bible is a source of problems, not the solution.	The Bible is sufficient to address any problem that man has. The Bible presents the solutions to all of man’s problems.
The key to mental health lies within one’s self or through psychotherapy.	The key to mental health lies in obedience to God’s commands.
A high sense of self-esteem is necessary for good mental health.	People usually think too highly of themselves. High self-esteem (pride) is part of the problem.
Man is basically good, or at least neutral.	Man is basically evil.
Sinful behavior is called a disease; man is a victim who cannot help himself.	Sinful behavior is sin; man is personally responsible.

Probably the greatest myth that psychology has foisted upon our culture is the necessity of high self-esteem. Psychologists tell us that one must think highly of himself in order to be a valuable member of society. Low self-esteem is the root of most psychological problems, they suggest. Even “Christian” psychologists teach the importance of self-love. They commonly misinterpret Jesus’ statement to “love your neighbor as yourself” as a command to love yourself. If you don’t love yourself, you can’t love your neighbor, they say. However, Jesus’ point was that people normally do love themselves. To the extent that they care about themselves, they should care for their neighbors. Jesus is not encouraging us to love ourselves; he’s assuming we do that normally. The Bible teaches that believers ought not to think too highly of themselves (Rom 12:3). The Bible emphasizes the need for humility, not self-esteem (Phil 2:3-8).

Much of secular psychology is rooted in atheistic evolutionary ideas. Freud was a fervent supporter of Darwin and incorporated evolutionary ideas into his theories. Some psychological theories are based on primate studies. Humans behave as they do because of their evolution from the apes. Values and morality have no spiritual basis but are simply leftovers from evolutionary development. Psychology evidences a materialistic, naturalistic, rationalistic worldview.

D. Many “Psychological” Problems are Really Spiritual Problems.

Low self-esteem is not the real cause of mental illness. Sin and guilt are. Unresolved sin, and the guilt that accompanies it, are the underlying causes of many so-called psychological problems. God has created the conscience of man to react to sin. Although the conscience may be seared to the point that nothing bothers it, most people have a conscience that bothers them when they do evil. Unresolved anger, hatred, bitterness, and jealousy may result in outbursts of violence. Pride and self-love make a person self-centered and arrogant. All forms of immorality cause personal problems and guilt. If one continues in sin without repentance, his troubled conscience may cause him any number of psychological problems—insomnia, stress, lethargy, panic, moodiness, anger, etc.

Modern psychology seeks to minimize, or rejects altogether, the reality of sin. People will do virtually anything to avoid facing up to their sin and its consequences. Rather than repentance, psychologists suggest denying one’s guilt and/or shifting the blame for sin to someone else. The biblical method for dealing with sin is confession, repentance and restitution (Prov 28:13; Luke 19:8; 1 John 1:9).

Many mental problems are just attempts to hide one’s sinful behavior. Perhaps someone got away with a sin in the past by acting in an erratic or bizarre way, thus diverting attention from his sin. A pattern is established—whenever one wants to deflect attention from his immoral behavior, he simply acts in an eccentric, bizarre way, thus preventing anyone from noticing his sinful behavior, and often achieving his goals at the same time. The biblical counselor will not be fooled by such camouflage. The biblical counselor seeks to address the root cause (usually sin of some kind) and will not merely treat the symptoms (usually through prescribing drugs).

IV. Psychology and the Christian

You may think that secular psychology has no bearing on the Christian life. However, Christians have personal problems, too. In seeking to solve their problems, they often go to psychologists or counselors, some of whom are Christians and some not. Those who see secular psychologist will be influenced by the errors listed above. Those who visit Christian counselors and/or psychologists may or may not expose themselves to such ideas. Some Christian counselors attempt to integrate biblical principles with secular psychology (integrationists). Probably the majority of “Christian” counselors today try to integrate the “scientific” findings of psychology with biblical principles. Others suggest that there can be no mixture of Christianity with such concepts (non-integrationists).

A. Biblical counseling (non-integrationist)

The Bible claims to contain everything Christians need for living in a way that pleases God. Biblical counseling, as opposed to secular or Christian psychology, holds that believers need not seek counsel outside biblical principles to help them deal with their issues of inner well-being and soul-health. The Bible has the solutions, at least in principle, to problems of the human soul (psyche). The Word of God is the only reliable, sufficient, and supreme resource for the diagnosis and remedy of the human soul.

• 2 Pe 1:3 His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
• Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

The Bible is not an encyclopedia of counseling topics that lists every particular human problem, but it does contain revelatory data to establish an effective worldview framework for the diagnosis and treatment of every soul-problem.

Christianity provides a distinct and comprehensive point of view about human souls and the cure for what ails them. God’s view of human psychology and his call to soul-therapy differ essentially and pervasively from both the theories and therapies that have dominated psychological discourse and practice in the 20th century.

We dare not attempt to integrate contradictory ideas.

B. The Errors of Integration

It should be obvious by now that trying to integrate secular psychological ideas with Christianity is bound to fail. Secular psychology and biblical Christianity are contradictory at many points. Yet integrating secular psychology with biblical principles is exactly what thousands of Christian counselors are attempting to do. Asserting that “all truth is God’s truth,” they seek to combine the supposedly scientific results of psychological research with biblical principles. Psychology is a supplemental resource to the Bible (or vice versa), in their view. The results are alarming—so called “Christian” counselors advocate anti-Christian ideas like self-love, blame shifting, and calling sin a disease. One should not try to integrate contradictory ideas.

Unfortunately, many elements of pop psychology have infiltrated the church. “Christian” visualization is becoming more popular. Believers are led through a process whereby they imagine Jesus or God telling them something, usually a message of comfort and commendation. Creative visualization is the key to healing, spiritual power and prosperity, so they claim. The error of self-love is rampant within Christianity. Preachers and teachers commonly tell their audiences how to achieve and maintain a high sense of self-esteem. One cannot possibly serve God or love his neighbor without high self-esteem. Positive mental attitude proponents abound within evangelical Christianity. One of the most popular TV evangelists preaches a steady stream of the “power of positive thinking” rather than the true gospel. Self-help and self-empowerment have replaced repentance and faith. The encounter group has replaced the Bible study in many churches. Rather than getting to know God, the faithful are urged to get to know themselves. Words like opening up, mutual trust, affirmation, feedback, feelings and experience have replaced repentance, sin, and forgiveness. Rather than learning the Bible, students are taught to be non-judgmental and accepting of all opinions. None of these psychological practices have any support in the Bible. In fact, such concepts are clearly anti-biblical.

Note: Genuine scientific studies about how the brain and body works may provide helpful methods for better learning, memory enhancement, stress reduction, sleep improvement, and the like. We do not deny that scientific studies have yielded helpful findings in some areas. Such findings do not contradict the Bible. But when psychology begins trespassing on those subjects that the Bible does address, Christians must follow the supreme authority of the Scriptures rather than the “assured results” of science. Believers must reject any unbiblical principles advocated by secular psychology.

John B. Street, “Why Biblical Counseling and Not Psychology?” in Think Biblically! We do not deny that biological malfunctions affecting the brain such as brain damage, tumors, genetic defects, glandular or chemical disorders, or other medical conditions may cause psychological problems. Neither secular psychology nor Christian counseling can solve such problems. A medical doctor should address these issues.

David Powlinson, “A Biblical Counseling View” in Psychology and Christianity, p. 197.

Conclusion

Christianity speaks directly to man’s soul-health. Believers need not consult secular psychologists to find solutions for their personal problems. The resources God has given believers—the Bible, the Holy Spirit, the church, and good counsel—is sufficient for helping believers cope with their problems. It’s unfortunate that secular psychology has had such an impact on Christians. Much of modern psychology is a self-contradictory failure, and believers would do well to stay away from it.

Adapted from Brad Anderson