Christian Psychology – Help or Heresy?
Contents
The Wisdom of the World is Futile
The Foolishness of the Teaching of the Cross
Christian Psychology Replaces Biblical Sanctification
The Biblical Method of Sanctification
The Sufficiency of Scripture Illustrated
Introduction
A significant movement in Christianity today is that of Christian psychology. There are some very significant ministries that attract many followers and specialize in providing practical advice ‘based’ on the Scriptures, but to a large extent, only involved self-help advice. They can usually be known by the use of terms such as self-esteem, positive thinking, developing leadership, relationships, addiction ministry, counseling and recovery programs, affirmation, inspiring people for great things, etc. etc. They intend to ‘help’ Christians understand themselves better with personality profiles and other psychological analyses of the human psyche. They occasionally will use Bible verses, but the Bible is ultimately not the ‘focus’ of their ministry. The use of the Bible simply is their attempt to validate their ministries with Christians.
On the surface, this type of teaching is very attractive. It seems to relate well with the practical issues of life. These ministries specialize in providing practical advice that is meant to help all types of Christians with all types of problems. These ministries publish multitudes of books and pamphlets as well as invest much money into radio and video ministries.
The purpose of this booklet is to carefully examine the Bible’s teaching concerning the use of psychology in a Christian context. Could it be that there is anything wrong with a ministry that just wants to help people to have better character?
Of course, all believers want to be more holy in the sight of God. Wouldn’t God bless us in trying to make ourselves better people in any way which seems to work?
We must immediately be cautious, however. We see in Acts 17:18,32 a relationship that Paul had with philosophers in Athens. We find here a religious people who devoted themselves daily to learning something new. They loved to learn and philosophize about the things of this life. However, they relied on their own wisdom to solve the problems of the day. They made an idol out of their wisdom.
These philosophers in Athens are similar to the psychologists of today who love the world’s wisdom as it relates to the human psyche. This wisdom is intended to help people. However, man’s wisdom is opposed to the wisdom of God.
Christian psychologists are trained in the world’s philosophy of psychology. By reviewing their ministries, we find that their writings and teachings are heavily weighted with their own teaching on how to make people more holy. True, there is some Bible used, but it comes in a distant second to their human-based teachings.
In this booklet, we will examine what the Bible teaches about the use of the world’s wisdom in a Christian ministry. Is it acceptable to teach the Bible and at the same time teach man’s wisdom of psychology? Is it acceptable to call a ministry ‘Christian’ which predominantly teaches man’s wisdom and philosophy?
The Desire to be Wise
We find the earliest example of man desiring to be wise in his own power in the Garden of Eden:
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Gen 3:4-7
We find in the Garden of Eden, the serpent, Satan, deceiving Eve. Part of his deception involved the desire to make oneself wise. He told Eve that if she partook of the tree, then her eyes would be opened and she would be wise knowing good and evil. Instead of relying completely on God’s providence in guiding the first couple in the things they should do, they rebelled and desired rather to decide for themselves what was right and wrong. They wanted to have the free will to decide on what was good and evil.
Therefore, we find in the original sin in the Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve desired to be wise and lean on themselves to decide on what was good and evil. This sin is akin to anybody who rebels from the authority of God’s word and decides to make up his or her own mind concerning what is the proper course for their life. Christian psychology fits this category. Instead of relying on God and His word in deciding on the proper course of life and what is right and wrong, they have replaced the authority of God’s word with the world’s wisdom of psychology.
Colossians 2:8-10
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power
Col 2:8-10
We come now to a very clear and direct command from God’s word not to be spoiled by the philosophy of men. We find in this passage that a Christian can be threatened with being spoiled with philosophy and vain deceit that comes after the tradition of men. Philosophy literally means ‘love of wisdom’. It is also interesting to note the term vain deceit. Any teaching that is not solidly based on the Bible is vanity. By definition, it is based on man’s belief that he is capable and wise enough to decide for himself what is right and wrong. This is vanity and pride.
The rudiments, or basic elements, of the world can never replace teaching from God Himself. There are many deceivers now in the world that bring to us teaching that is outside of the bounds of the Word of God (1 John 2:18-19). However, we need no other teacher than the Holy Spirit Himself (1 John 2:26-27). We are already complete in Christ. In the Bible, we have Christ in written form with us today. Jesus, as the Word of God, is the bread of life (John 6:31-35). It is by this bread that we are to live. Man shall not live by physical bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from God (i.e. the Bible – see Mat 4:4).
With the admonition in Col 2:8-10 in mind, we should be very cautious about relying on ministries that come bringing their own philosophies and wisdom. In reading the literature of Christian psychology ministries, it becomes very obvious that what is being taught is based on the author’s own insights and insights he has learned from the secular profession of psychology. These insights are based on the training he has received in the universities of the world. Oh yes, there are religious terms and phrases tossed about in their literature and teaching, but it should be admitted that the focus of their teaching is not on expository teaching of Bible passages but rather on their own philosophies.
Instead of diligently studying and investigating the Scriptures concerning a topic, Christian psychologists use their own teaching first. Secondly, they may sprinkle a few verses in their teaching to keep the appearance of being Christian.
The Wisdom of the World is Futile
A notable teaching in the word of God is that of the world’s wisdom is futile in understanding spiritual matters. It is important to look at the Scripture’s teaching on this matter since Christian psychology is, by definition, based on worldly wisdom.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Ro 1:21-23
We see that the natural course of man is to rely on his own understanding (Pr 3:4-7). Man has become vain in his own imaginations. Mankind today professes that they have the answers to the world’s problems. In this they have professed themselves to be wise. We find many ‘doctors’ of psychology who by calling themselves ‘doctor’ have claimed to be wise in solving the sin problem of man. Sadly, these doctors are also prevalent in Christianity today.
In reality, these doctors who proclaim themselves to be wise are fools. They explain away the sin problem in man by their theories and worldly methods. They often rationalize sin. They do not understand the depravity of the unsaved man and the incredible, powerful working of God in each and every Christian’s life through the Holy Spirit. Each Christian has the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). They are being gradually transformed into the likeness of Christ (2 Cor 3:18, 4:16). God is at work in them both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).
These psychology ‘doctors’ have exchanged the glory of the working of God into idols of worshiping their philosophies. Their own philosophies and wisdom have become their idols. Instead of relying on God’s Word to bring holiness into the life of a Christian, they rely on their own idols of philosophy and wisdom. On the contrary the Bible teaches us the following:
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you‑ward.
2 Cor 1:12
The Bible teaches us that the conduct we have in the world should be based on the grace of God and not fleshly wisdom. We should not seek out the Christian psychologists to cure our spiritual ails. Rather, we should diligently seek out the grace of God as we are commanded. We should be diligent to study God’s Word (2 Tim 2:15) which is the precious milk by which we grow (1 Pet 2:2). We must be careful to guard the Word of God which has been given to us. We must flee from the empty and godless chatter of the world’ wisdom (1 Tim 6:20).
The Foolishness of the Teaching of the Cross
The Bible records in 1 Corinthians a significant comparison between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. Please consider carefully the following:
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Cor 1:18-25
To those who are not saved, the teaching contained in the Bible is as foolishness. Although the Bible is the very source of wisdom and knowledge, many have departed for the wisdom of the world and have discounted the Bible as foolishness. However, Christ is the power of God and in Him is hidden all the riches of wisdom.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 1:30-2:16
In this passage, we find that the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. Our faith in the Christian walk should not rest with the wisdom of men. To the unsaved, the wisdom of man is important. However, as believers, we are to place the wisdom of man in its proper position. This position is far secondary to the wisdom of God. Because we have the Spirit of God indwelling us, we are able to understand spiritual truth and apply it to our life. We have the mind of Christ and are in no need of running to the world’s wisdom.
Christian psychologists unfortunately mix the wisdom of man into the Christian faith. Instead of relying on the indwelling Spirit of God and the Word of God alone, they need to resort to their worldly techniques and philosophy to attempt to make the Christian more holy. Moreover, Christian psychologists’ ministries generally focus more on their own wisdom than the wisdom of the Word of God.
An Example from Hosea
In the book of Hosea, we find an interesting example of the evil of using the world’s wisdom rather than relying on God’s wisdom. Consider the following passages:
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
Hos 5:13
Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
Hos 7:11
For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
Hos 8:9
The book of Hosea is concerned with Israel prior to their captivity by Assyria. This was a time of great apostasy for the church of God. They were involved in all types of idolatrous practices. When ill befell them, the Bible records that they went to Egypt and Assyria for help. God condemned this activity.
This is an important truth for us to understand. The significance of Israel going to Egypt and Assyria for help was that they were heathen nations. True, the wisdom of these nations was great. But, it was man’s wisdom.
We see here an example of the church of God resorting to the world’s abilities and wisdom instead of relying on God. This is a striking parallel with Christian psychology today. Instead of relying on the word of God alone, these ministries run to the Egypts and Assyrias of the day for help.
Christian Psychology Replaces Biblical Sanctification
We come to an interesting question. Why does Christian psychology flourish in the church today? Why is it that this sort of ministry seems to thrive while Bible preaching ministries are relegated to a secondary status? When we consider the example of Israel in the Book of Hosea, a possible answer to these questions arises.
We saw in Hosea that the nation of Israel at that time was by and large apostate. In other words, Israel was the nation of God but were in rebellion to God and on their way to destruction. On the other hand, we saw that the true believer will have the mind of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The true believer will want to study God’s word to understand what the will of the Lord is. Therefore, it becomes a strong possibility that the reason that a believer would want to delve into Christian psychology and in some cases dedicate his whole life and ministry to this endeavor is that the Word of God no longer holds a high position in his life. In other words, he may be on the road to apostasy.
The emphasis of a ministry that is based on Christian psychology is to help people become more holy. However, they lean on the world’s wisdom more than the wisdom of God and his Word. Instead of relying on expository teaching of the Bible, they use the world’s wisdom to try to make people more sanctified. In a sense, they resort to an ‘ear-tickling’ type of message (see 2 Tim 4:3). Instead of letting the Bible speak out concerning sin and the fact that Christians are to flee from sin, they provide rationalistic reasons for deviant behavior. Instead of calling on people to cry out for repentance, they teach self-worth and self-esteem.
Although I am convinced that Christian psychologists are genuinely trying to help people, they may have unwittingly become deceivers. We are warned in the Bible to let no man deceive us with empty words (Eph 5:6). What are empty words? Empty words are any teaching that is not based on the wisdom of God found in His word. This is what Christian psychology is bringing to us. It is empty and godless chatter that the Bible warns us to flee from (2 Tim 2:14-18, 2 Tim 3:13).
We must not be strayed from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Cor 11:3-5). The message of the Bible, although quite voluminous, is very simple. That is, man is in utter rebellion to God in his sin. God must initiate salvation for man otherwise he would not be saved. Additionally, God must initiate sanctification for the believer so that he will become more holy. On the other hand, we have Christian psychologists coming to us with a very complicated message of man’s psyche, personality profiles, techniques for self-esteem and corrective measures to make man more holy. We become wearisome with their plethora of books (Ecclesiastes 12:12). In short, their message is not simple. It brings us the complicated maze of the world’s wisdom. As Christians, we are to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. By doing so, we destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of Christ (2 Cor 10:5).
Since Christian psychology ministries have the overall goal of making believers more holy, it is important at this point to clearly discover from the Word of God what the Biblical method is for a Christian to become more santified. Is it following a ministry that on the surface sounds Christian, but is in reality based on the wisdom of man? Or is there another method that God would have us involved with to become more holy?
The Biblical Method of Sanctification
- God dwells in all true Believers – The Scripture is very clear that God dwells in the believer. The following verses are offered to document the fact that if one does not have the Holy Spirit indwelling, then he cannot be a Christian (see also Eph 1:13, 17-18, Col 1:27, 1 Cor 2:12, 2 Cor 5:5, 1 John 3:24, 4:4, Jude 19-20, 1 Cor 3:16, Luke 11:13):
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Ro 8:9
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
2 Tim 1:14
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:20
At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you… Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 14:20,23
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Cor 6:19
From the above Scriptures, we see that God indwells each and every believer. But, the fact that God indwells the believer is not, in and of itself, ample proof for learning why believers live a life of overcoming sin.
- God works in each Christian – Next, it is important to observe from Scripture that besides indwelling each true believer, God also is at work in each believer. Notice the following verses:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Ro 8:14-16 (see also Gal 4:6)
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Phil 2:13
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:8-10
In these verses, it is evident that God is at work in the lives of believers in order to mold and shape them. God uses situations in life to teach the believer how to be more and more holy. God also chastens His sons in order to teach them holiness (see Heb 12:3-11).
The reader is referred to the following verses for additional Scriptural proof that God is at work in every believer’s life: Ro 5:5, 2 Thess 2:17, 1 Thess 2:13, 5:23, 2 Cor 2:14, 3:18, 4:16, 5:14-15, 13:4, Luke 11:34, Heb 2:11, 9:14, 10:14, 13:20-21, Titus 2:11-12, 2 Pet 1:3-4, Col 1:29, Ro 8:11, John 12:24, 14:26, 15:26, 16:13, Ps 16:2, 37:5-6,23-24, Ez 36:27, Eph 1:3,1:19,3:7,4:16,5:25-27, Gal 4:6, 4:19, 1 Cor 2:16, 12:6,11,13, Phil 1:6,11, 1 Pet 2:5, Gal 2:8,21, Phil 3:21, 1 Cor 15:10
- God uses the Word of God to make believers holy – Finally, it is important to understand the fact that it is the Word of God (i.e. the Bible) that God uses as the instrument to instruct and lead believers. The Bible is very powerful and important in each believer’s life. The fact that God has indwelt and is actively at work in each believer results in the believer being a disciple of Christ (see John 8:30-32). The following verses testify to the fact that it is the Bible that God uses to sanctify believers:
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 Thess 2:13
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Ps 119:9-11
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim 3:16-17
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 Pet 2:1-2
Other verses that testify to the fact that the Bible is the instrument that God uses to sanctify believers are the following: Ps 119, Heb 5:11-14, Titus 1:1, John 6:63, James 1:21, John 8:31-32, 1 Tim 6:3-4, Eph 5:25-26, 2 Pet 3:18, 2 Cor 3:18, Ps 1:1-4, Heb 4:12, Joshua 1:8, Ro 10:17, John 17:17.
The Bible is our Counselor
We should now see that the way a Christian becomes holy is through the Word of God. If a believer is truly saved, he will have the indwelling Holy Spirit and God will be at work in the believer to make him more holy. The word of God is the instrument that God uses to teach the believer the will of God. The Bible is the source of wisdom.
In fact the Bible refers to itself as a counselor:
Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalm 119:24
This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
Isaiah 28:29
Therefore, we should be wary of sitting at the feet of any other counselor except the Word of God. When we earnestly seek to know God through His word, we will assure ourselves that we are in the will of God and the counsel of the Word of God is valuable to building ourselves up.
The Sufficiency of Scripture Illustrated
A final illustration of the sufficiency of Scripture is in order. We find two miracles that the Lord did that help illustrate for us that the Word of God is sufficient for our spiritual nourishment. The miracles of feeding of the four thousand (Mk 6:42, Mat 14:20, Lk 19:17) as well as the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand (Mat 15:37) record that the multitudes who were fed were satisfied with the loaves of bread that Jesus miraculously provided for them.
When we understand the spiritual message for us in these miracles, we find that the loaves of bread refer to the Word of God (see Mat 4:4, John 1:1,6:31-35). We find that these miracles are an example of the growth of the kingdom of God. It teaches us that it is by the Word of God by which the Gospel is spread. When we are nourished by the bread of life, we both become saved and it is beneficial for our spiritual growth. When we eat of the true manna of the bread of life, we need not look beyond our own backyard of the Word of God. We need not look to the world’s wisdom and Christian psychologists for our sanctification.
Summary
Where does this leave us? We saw that the Scripture teaches us that we should not be led away by the traditions and wisdom of men. We should look toward Christ as the bread of life for our spiritual nourishment. We saw that God’s plan of sanctification involves the indwelling Holy Spirit which works in all true believers. It is the word of God which is the instrument that God uses to lead Christians to become more holy in their conduct. It is not the wisdom of men that leads us to holiness.
Sadly, we saw that a reason that many people flock to the altar of Christian psychology is that they may find the Word of God ineffective in their lives. They may be unable to understand it. They may find it an archaic collection of thoughts that just aren’t applicable to them anymore. However, the true believer will have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). The true believer will want to learn the Word of God and be a disciple of Christ (Mat 28:19-20, John 8:30-32). True believers will always want to set their minds upon the things of the Spirit (Ro 8:5). As a true believer, we must make sure of our election and calling. We must strive to learn God’s word for by it we are sanctified. As our Lord prayed: sanctify them in the truth, thy word is truth (John 17:17)!
Is it wrong to read Christian psychology literature or listen to these ministries? No, nothing is unlawful in itself. However, not all things are useful for edification and building up. Instead of wasting our time in the pursuit of the worldly wisdom of Christian psychology, let us strive to study the Word of God. In so doing we learn the will of God and overcome the flesh.