Richard T

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Psychology has a bad rap because many in the field use theories and treatments that run counter to the principles of God. Nothing wrong with studying it, though as long as you can keep your Christian perspective. There are some Christian colleges where it might be better. As a career, it is one of the lower paying fields. One way around the low income, (especially for a Bachelor's in Psych) would be to get a nursing degree and become a psych nurse. Of course the field is much broader than that but most entry level jobs in psych are pretty low income. Here is an older article on pay but I think it gives you a good idea about the picture. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/...y-study-psychology-if-the-salaries-are-so-low
 
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George the Intercessor

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I am a Christian and I love psychology. I know that some Christians take offense to this, my own father included, and I'm curious why.

Why is it so controversial for a Christian to be interested in psychology? Is it somehow wrong for us to investigate how the brain works?

In my perspective, psychology is the study of the soul (mind). I don't believe the brain to be the mind; in fact, it's the soul that enables us to decide, reason, and feel.
Psychological issues can be healed by the love of God; inner healing is greatly needed for many people.
 
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I am a Christian and I love psychology. I know that some Christians take offense to this, my own father included, and I'm curious why.

Why is it so controversial for a Christian to be interested in psychology? Is it somehow wrong for us to investigate how the brain works?

For me, it all depends on the kind or type of psychology. While it's useful to know about secular psychology, I believe Christians who are involved with psychology, whether on a technical professional level or on a practical counselor level, should practice from an uncompromising Christian worldview. Also, I do not think psychology as a profession is suited for weaker minded Christians who may be lacking strong convictions. Also, in the practice of Christian psychology, especially if it concerns marriage counseling (though other situations could arise), the psychologist is wise to have a member of the opposite sex present. I think for many Christians, a problem might be in not knowing what to expect, even from a Christian psychologist. So I believe there is a Christian way of practicing psychology, however I do not know how many Christians practicing psychology practice it in Christian ways, or consistently Christian ways. There is a strong connection between psychology and philosophy that simply cannot be ignored, and Christian psychology should follow from a Christian philosophy, which deals with the big questions which compose a Christian worldview.
 
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GingerBeer

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I am a Christian and I love psychology. I know that some Christians take offense to this, my own father included, and I'm curious why.

Why is it so controversial for a Christian to be interested in psychology? Is it somehow wrong for us to investigate how the brain works?
It isn't offensive to many Christians but it may be for some and possibly more so in very conservative evangelical circles.
 
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Thir7ySev3n

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The field of psychology is certainly fascinating and has the potential to be highly practical. The problem is when you have Christians, whether true or falsely so called, who conform themselves to the pattern of this world rather than being transformed by the renewing of their mind according to God's Word (Romans 12:2), and who love the praise of man more than that which comes from God (John 12:43) in their intellectual pursuits. I myself regularly study deeply into philosophy and psychology and am irresistibly attracted to these disciplines. But that is why I can say without bias and by acquaintance that I know there are many who submit the Word of God to their disciplines rather than their disciplines to God. That is a huge problem and is not worthy of any respect among the Christian community. It is also a sure way to integrate your thought processes to the anti-Christ system that governs this world (1 John 5:19, Ephesians 2:2) and to be ever learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7).

Any of us who are involved in these fields, especially with such strong inclination (as, again, I myself am) must watch themselves to be sure they don't become arrogant. Conversely, those who God has not gifted in like manner should watch themselves as well. I have seen many who are not gifted intellectually (not synonymous with being stupid) that will despise you because you were gifted in this particular manner they weren't. Most of them don't realize that they possess the same arrogance they will baselessly accuse you of having because they become intimidated by their own fault, being bitter and envious. As long as you are being humble, doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in all things considering others more significant than yourself (Philippians 2:3), and submitting yourself to God, then you are a good steward and ought to use the gifts He has given you to glorify Him and build up the Church.
 
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Daniel Martinovich

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I am a Christian and I love psychology. I know that some Christians take offense to this, my own father included, and I'm curious why.

Why is it so controversial for a Christian to be interested in psychology? Is it somehow wrong for us to investigate how the brain works?
There is real religion and fake religion. Real science and fake science. Real psychology and fake psychology. Obviously, what we see in the world is mostly the fake. If one understands the physical and spiritual constitution of human beings. How they function. Then they understand what 99.9999% of human beings don't understand; especially the physiologists.
 
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lastofall

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1. Because psychology is the discourse of the soul, and such is for God and His Word to discern, and not man's use of knowledge.
2. Using man's use of knowledge rather than God's Word is the offence.
.3 Anyone who says they are a Christian and does not keep their heart and mind bowed down under the Word of God is until now not a true Christian, but only a superficial pretender.
 
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creslaw

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It isn't offensive to many Christians but it may be for some and possibly more so in very conservative evangelical circles.
Possibly this is because conservative evangelicals tend to take the Bible more literally when it speaks about the spiritual dimensions of good and evil. One could, I suppose, take Paul's words in Ephesians 6:12 as a metaphor but I doubt that Paul did.
 
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creslaw

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How would Jesus answer this question below.....
Is it perfectly fine to let someone in my head?
A lot of psychology is just common sense presented in a systematic way ... and is not unlike the advice a wise older relative might have provided in times past.

In the course of my life I have visited several psychologists and found the ones who were most effective were those who challenged you to think for yourself and helped you to plan practical strategies for resolving your situation.
 
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The Times

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Psychology uses drugs, hypnosis amongst other things to open access to the brain.

It is like opening a backdoor. Do you think that this backdoor is only used by the psychologist?

For example if there is a back door security breach in Windows, could this exploit not be used by hackers?

Could a brain that a psychologist opens a backdoor, not be open for exploit by others.....maybe even demonic forces.

If you make a hack into the brain, you are making a breach.
 
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George the Intercessor

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Mentally damaged individuals should be approached with love and with sincere prayer (where you can dialogue with God).
Inner healing is something I strongly advise.
The patient must ask Jesus to heal their soul from certain traumas that torment them.
 
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George the Intercessor

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Psychology uses drugs, hypnosis amongst other things to open access to the brain.

It is like opening a backdoor. Do you think that this backdoor is only used by the psychologist?

For example if there is a back door security breach in Windows, could this exploit not be used by hackers?

Could a brain that a psychologist opens a backdoor, not be open for exploit by others.....maybe even demonic forces.

If you make a hack into the brain, you are making a breach.[/QUOT
Than

Thank you for agreeing with me.
Also, it is possible that demons can inhabit the traumas of individuals. They can trigger those thoughts in repetition, especially the emotions in those memories.
 
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The Times

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Mentally damaged individuals should be approached with love and with sincere prayer (where you can dialogue with God).
Inner healing is something I strongly advise.
The patient must ask Jesus to heal their soul from certain traumas that torment them.

We are instructed to give access to our being only to the Holy Spirit.

The main concern about psychology, unlike general medicine, is that it is intrusive to the inner being of an individual.

The intrusion is that a psychologist needs to open a door for them to access the inner man. They use brain science to do so, but if the door is opened, then access is being given to another other than God.

The dangers are....

Matthew 12:43-45
“When an evilf spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. 44Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. 45Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”

Psychology can become a dark art of opening Pandora's Box and creating multipe breaches and doorways in a susceptible individual who is prone to the example mentioned in Matthew 12 by Jesus.
 
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The Times

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Thank you for agreeing with me.
Also, it is possible that demons can inhabit the traumas of individuals. They can trigger those thoughts in repetition, especially the emotions in those memories.

Absolutely!

Jesus gave us the perfect example in Matthew 12:43-45.
 
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frater_domus

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In my opinion it is fear that keeps many Christians from sciences in general. The fear that something may destroy or merely question their worldview. Either that, or the negative reputation that sciences have gained due to secular influences. Sciences are to used, not feared. God gave us ways to perceive and study the world around us. However, sciences will never tell us anything about spiritual truth. They can not go beyond the material world.
 
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George the Intercessor

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I would consider theology to be a spiritual science. Of course, with the Word and revelation from God, it is possible to discover such truths.

Theology: is the study of God's benevolent nature, and the mechanics of the spiritual realm.
 
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