bcbsr

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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?
Psychology is just a scientific investigation of human nature, most of which you can get just by watching Netflix. About the only practical application of psychology is advertisement, which is not a particularly edifying one, as you'd be trying to manipulate people into buying things they don't really need. And likewise there's an application in politics which is even worse. Psychology doesn't cure anyone. And so what good is it? I would suggest a profession that's more edifying.
 
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GingerBeer

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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.
I never considered Ephesians 6:12 as a reflection on psychology or medicine.
 
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Gell

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I personally think there is nothing wrong with studying secular bodies of knowledge but we should always remember the “myth of neutrality” as depicted by Dr Greg Bahnsen.
In 1 Peter 3:15 we should sanctify Christ as Lord and in Colossians 2 because in Christ, all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. We are also urged to continue to live our lives in Him so that no one may DECEIVE us of fine-sounding or plausible arguments.
 
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GingerBeer

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If Paul is not talking about influences on our thinking & behaviour I'm not sure what he is talking about.
Context may help.
Ephesians 6:8-17 8 For you know that whatever good each one will do, the same will he receive from the Lord, whether he is servant or free. 9 And you, lords, act similarly toward them, setting aside threats, knowing that the Lord of both you and them is in heaven. For with him there is no favouritism toward anyone. 10 Concerning the rest, brothers, be strengthened in the Lord, by the power of his virtue. 11 Be clothed in the armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the treachery of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the directors of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places. 13 Because of this, take up the armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand the evil day and remain perfect in all things. 14 Therefore, stand firm, having been girded about your waist with truth, and having been clothed with the breastplate of justice, 15 and having feet which have been shod by the preparation of the Gospel of peace. 16 In all things, take up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. 17 And take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God).
 
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creslaw

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Context may help.
Ephesians 6:8-17 8 For you know that whatever good each one will do, the same will he receive from the Lord, whether he is servant or free. 9 And you, lords, act similarly toward them, setting aside threats, knowing that the Lord of both you and them is in heaven. For with him there is no favouritism toward anyone. 10 Concerning the rest, brothers, be strengthened in the Lord, by the power of his virtue. 11 Be clothed in the armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the treachery of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the directors of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places. 13 Because of this, take up the armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand the evil day and remain perfect in all things. 14 Therefore, stand firm, having been girded about your waist with truth, and having been clothed with the breastplate of justice, 15 and having feet which have been shod by the preparation of the Gospel of peace. 16 In all things, take up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. 17 And take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God).
I have read the passage many times and always understood it to refer to influences on our thinking & behaviour and how we can maintain a positive & godly position.
 
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GingerBeer

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I have read the passage many times and always understood it to refer to influences on our thinking & behaviour and how we can maintain a positive & godly position.
It looks much more like a passage describing the spiritual forces governing the world rather than something as wispy as influences on one's thinking.
 
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Thir7ySev3n

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I have read the passage many times and always understood it to refer to influences on our thinking & behaviour and how we can maintain a positive & godly position.

It's talking about demons and their influence brother. It says it right in the text.
 
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JoeP222w

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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?

Nothing wrong with psychology, as long as it comes under the authority of the word of God. If it goes beyond the word of God, that is where psychology is wrong.
 
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creslaw

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It's talking about demons and their influence brother. It says it right in the text.
That's what I meant by "influences" ... obviously I wasn't specific enough :)

A question I find interesting is that given demons can influence thinking & behaviour, are there psychological techniques that can used to help counteract this influence. An example might be a teacher who uses rewards & consequences to help control behaviour of students.

1 Samuel 16:23 shows that something happened when David played the harp. Local train stations that were hot spots for antisocial behaviour, found the problem greatly reduced when they played calming classical music. I see that as psychology in practice.
 
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FireDragon76

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"Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends! Well I say there are some things we don't want to know! Important things!" - Ned Flanders

 
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GingerBeer

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I think Paul makes it very personal, don't you?
Putting on the armour of God is possibly personal but more likely it is a collective effort because the pronouns are plural "we", "you", "ye" and so forth rather than singular "I", "thee", "thou"
 
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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?

Psychology has no place in Christianity. It is a lie.
1. Its roots are in the world and the occult.
2. Its founders were unbelievers and atheist.
3. It is not a science.
4. It has been shown that its effects can be just as harmful as any good that it proposes.
5. It is relatively new to the stage, about 75 years or so.
6. It focuses on the healing of "self" where the Bible says we die to self; the self is our problem and has too much focus.
7. The Church has gotten along very well without psychology for two millennia so now all of a sudden we need it?
8. Are pastors unqualified to counsel their congregants?
9. And, the Word of God is adequate for teaching, healing, counseling, and all things spiritual.
10. Really, where is psychology any different than astrology?
11. The history of Israel is replete with stories of how they were always trying to enhance their religious experience by adding to what God had given them notions adapted from the world around them. They thought that by worshiping God and the idols that they had all the bases covered when, in fact, they were only bringing a curse upon themselves.
12. "Christian psychology" does not exist, they are opposites.
13. Psychology leads their clients to believe that there are yet more and different "truth" to be discovered apart from the Bible.
 
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Don Maurer

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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.


I want to jump on this band wagon, but broaden it just a little. I agree that when counseling comes to topics of marriage and relationships, that a non-Christian secular world view can heavily influence any psychological methodology. Part of this comes from some very bad philosophical presuppositions. I am especially talking about the view of some methodologies that begin with the presupposition that man is a moral blank slate. There is no such thing as moral neutrality.

On the other hand, I spend time at my job reading behavioral plans, and see value in them. I simply do not observe the same presuppositions among behavioralists that I see among certain psychological methodologies. Also, the field of psychiatry, a related field is more science based. Individual psychiatrist can be influenced by their world view in their practice, but psychiatric medications are science based.

While there are mistakes made in the area of morality due to certain presuppositions (a worldview is a system of presuppositions) in some counseling methodologies, there is also some serious faults with certain religious opinions. I remember feeling frustration with certain religious groups that would tell consumers with schizophrenia, or some serious disorder, not to take their medications, just have faith. That gets back to some very dangerous religious presuppositions (or simply called bad or unbiblical theology).
 
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creslaw

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Putting on the armour of God is possibly personal but more likely it is a collective effort because the pronouns are plural "we", "you", "ye" and so forth rather than singular "I", "thee", "thou"
I think Paul is saying we all need to be spiritually prepared to resist the evil influences we encounter in our daily lives. I am not part of a "collective effort" (except as a member of the universal body of Christ) but I am susceptible to moderate depression & anxiety and find individual overcoming power through allowing the Holy Spirit to encourage & strengthen me. I do feel sorry for people who do not have access to spiritual consolation.
 
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creslaw

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Psychology has no place in Christianity. It is a lie.
1. Its roots are in the world and the occult.
2. Its founders were unbelievers and atheist.
3. It is not a science.
4. It has been shown that its effects can be just as harmful as any good that it proposes.
5. It is relatively new to the stage, about 75 years or so.
6. It focuses on the healing of "self" where the Bible says we die to self; the self is our problem and has too much focus.
7. The Church has gotten along very well without psychology for two millennia so now all of a sudden we need it?
8. Are pastors unqualified to counsel their congregants?
9. And, the Word of God is adequate for teaching, healing, counseling, and all things spiritual.
10. Really, where is psychology any different than astrology?
11. The history of Israel is replete with stories of how they were always trying to enhance their religious experience by adding to what God had given them notions adapted from the world around them. They thought that by worshiping God and the idols that they had all the bases covered when, in fact, they were only bringing a curse upon themselves.
12. "Christian psychology" does not exist, they are opposites.
13. Psychology leads their clients to believe that there are yet more and different "truth" to be discovered apart from the Bible.
Would you deny a school teacher the help of an educational psychologist in trying to manage classroom behaviour and learning difficulties?
 
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GingerBeer

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I think Paul is saying we all need to be spiritually prepared to resist the evil influences we encounter in our daily lives. I am not part of a "collective effort" (except as a member of the universal body of Christ) but I am susceptible to moderate depression & anxiety and find individual overcoming power through allowing the Holy Spirit to encourage & strengthen me. I do feel sorry for people who do not have access to spiritual consolation.
I had in mind the church - that is, the body of Christ - as the source of the collective effort that Paul described. Personal struggles with things like anxiety may be covered by what James wrote about temptations and what Paul wrote about trials.
James 1:12-17 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1Corinthians 10:12-13 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
 
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megan_26

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Based on what I've read here, there are plenty of people who believe both extremes (psychology is bad and has no place in Christianity and psychology can be used to glorify God) and there are people in the middle.

I guess I don't understand why the understanding of the brain, which can lead to deeper fascination with God and his works and to the understanding of mental illnesses, is in direct contradiction with the teachings of God. Is God not powerful enough to use ANYTHING for his glory? I firmly believe that science and religion do not have be polar opposites. If your faith in God is swayed by the understanding of your brain or thoughts, then you didn't have much to stand on in the first place.

While I understand that psychology is typically a secular practice, it doesn't have to be. There are many Christian psychologists who can work both in their science and to bring glory to their creator. Are they less of Christians? And who are we to judge that anyway?
 
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