The Spoiling of Christianity By
Psychology
Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.
© September 1998
Introduction
Three Forces That Led To
Psychology Replacing The Scripture In Offering Answers To The Problems Of Life
The Four Mainstreams
Of Psychology
1. Psychoanalytic -- Sigmund Freud & Carl Jung
2. Behavioristic -- B. F. Skinner
3. Humanistic -- Carl Rogers
4. Existential or Transpersonal -- Abraham Maslow
Why Do People Go To Psychologists and Psychiatrists and
Does It Help?
End Notes
The cure for the sinful soul and the problems of life was the vital ministry of the
church, using the Word of God, for more than 1900 years.
The early Church faced and ministered to mental-emotional behavioral problems that were
as complex as the ones that exist today. If anything, the conditions were more difficult
than those we face today. The early church suffered persecution, poverty, and various
afflictions which are foreign to most of twentieth-century Christians (especially in the
West). The catacombs of Rome are a testimony to the extent of the problems faced by the
early Church.1
But, as in every generation, there are those who do not want to submit to the Word of
God. Freud and Jung were two such individuals from their generation. They boldly rejected
the authority of the Word of God. But did not stop there. They developed a theory that
claimed offered an alternative solution for the sin problem and the problems of life. It
was called it psychology. Freud and Jung believed that they had found a means through
which the soul of man could be perfected without having to repent of sin and submit to
God. Man didn't need Jesus as his Savior, he could be his own Savior.
From this root psychology has grown by leaps and bounds with more than 250 separate
systems of psychotherapy. But is even more mind boggling is that the Christian church has
been duped into buying into this human wisdom. There are many Christians that have been
convinced that the difficult problems of life need more than Word of God and the
indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. But, the Bible assures us, "According as
his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" 2 Peter
1:3 and "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee..
because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3.
Non-believers can only attain spiritual life and health by surrender to Jesus Christ as
Savior and Lord. That is the direction the church should be pointing them. Psychological
techniques, even in the name of Jesus, cannot produce spiritual life. It's time
we get back to the Bible!2
The church must minister under unction of the Holy Spirit--not according to man's
wisdom. The problem is, that many churches and Christians have been spoiled by the
humanly devised philosophy of psychology.
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. Colossians
2:8
- Let's Look At Some Of The Words.
The key word in this verse is spoil. When we hear the word, we think it
means "to become unfit for use or consumption, as from decay." But that
is not the meaning of the word in the New Testament context. The word spoil is
translated from the Greek word sulagogeo, (soo-lag-ogue-eh'-o -- Strongs #4812) which
means "to carry off as a captive and a slave." Zodhiates says in The
Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament that the word means "to
carry away. To lead off as prey…rob, or kidnap. Figuratively, (used) of the
destructive effects of false teachers who rob believers of the complete riches available
in Christ and revealed in the gospel.
Philosophy (5385)-- The Greek word philosophia (fil-os-of-ee'-ah)
actually means a friend to wisdom or love of wisdom. The word came to mean the doctrines,
beliefs, ideologies of the unsaved and Gentile philosophers.
Vain (2756) means hollow, empty, meaningless.
Deceit (539) means anything that is deceptive.
Tradition (3862)-- An ideology, belief, doctrine or instruction
communicated from one to another. In this verse the ideologies are those developed by men.
Rudiments (4747) -- Rudiments means principles or basics. In this context
these principles are from the world of mankind.
Now, when I put it all together I believe Paul was sounding this warning...
Watch out! You will encounter numerous people promoting deceptive, empty man made
ideas that sound good but are based on the world's wisdom and not God's wisdom. If you are
not discerning you will be brainwashed and be led away from the sufficiency that is in
Christ.
Note the next two verses. Colossians 2:9-10 -- For in him dwelleth all the
fullness of the Godhead bodily 10 And ye are complete in him, which
is the head of all principality and power:
Though there are many philosophies that have wormed their way into Bible believing
Churches, organizations and the thinking of Christians, none has undermined the Word of
God and the sufficiency of Christ like psychology.
Three Forces That Led To
Psychology Replacing The Scripture In Offering Answers To The Problems Of Life
What were the forces or roots that led to psychology replacing the scripture in
offering answers to the problems of life? There are three forces or roots that we need to
consider.
1. The Theology of Aquinas
2. The Philosophy of Empiricism
3. The Theory of Evolution
- THE FIRST FORCE THAT PREPARED THE WAY FOR PSYCHOLOGY
The Theology of Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) is considered by many people to be the outstanding
theologian of his day but you will remember that it is "the little foxes, that
spoil the vines..." Song of Songs 2:15. Or to put it another way, "A
little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Galatians 5:9. His theology was
tainted by the wisdom of the world which is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians
3:19). There are at least three ways in which Aquinas' theology was corrupted.
First, he did not believe in the total depravity of man.
When I
refer to the "total depravity of man" I mean that man is wholly a sinner. Sin
has touched every aspect of man -- his body, mind-intellect, emotions, will or volition (Romans
3:10-20).
When Aquinas studied the fall of Adam and Eve, he concluded that though man's will was
damaged by sin, he concluded that man's intellect was undamaged by sin. Therefore,
Aquinas taught "that man, out of his own resources, could search for, find, and
classify truth."3 Simply stated, Aquinas felt that
man's wisdom could be trusted. I can almost hear the hiss of the serpent. Too bad he did
not look a few chapters further than the account of the fall of our first parents and he
would have been able to see that sin did indeed damage man intellect! Genesis 6:5-6
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually 6 And it repented the
LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. The plain
fact is, man's wisdom apart from God is at best vain. 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 Let
no man deceive himself If any man among yo seemeth to be wise in this world, let him
become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with
God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord
knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (see also James 3:15-17).
The lie that man is not totally depraved but can trust his intellect is one part of the
leaven that lead to the belief that mankind can find truth within himself
The second way in which the theology of Aquinas was corrupted was by his study
of the Greek philosopher Aristotle. Aristotle lived between 384-322 B.C..
He was a pupil of Plato, the tutor of Alexander the Great, and the author of works
on logic, metaphysics, ethics, natural sciences, politics, and poetics, he profoundly
influenced Western thought. In Aristotle's philosophical system truth is discovered by
empirical observation and logic, based on the syllogism (sound reasoning). This method of
inquiry leaves God out. Aquinas became an Aristotelian Thinker when he should have
become a BIBLICAL THINKER. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Thirdly, Aquinas mixed the humanistic philosophy of Aristotle with the truth of
the Bible. "Aquinas did not differentiate between what the Bible taught about
life, truth, and the answers to man's problems and what Aristotle taught"4 though there is a vast difference! One is based on man's wisdom and one
is based on God's wisdom. As a result, Aquinas syncretized the Bible and the
godless philosophy of Aristotle.
Syncretism Defined -- n. 1. Reconciliation or fusion of differing
systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the
result is heterogeneous. Therefore you end up with a new belief that is neither one nor
the other previous beliefs.
- THE SECOND FORCE THAT PREPARED THE WAY FOR PSYCHOLOGY
The Philosophy of Empiricism
If you go back to the beginning of empiricism, back to Greco-Roman times, those who
followed this philosophy were skeptical of all theoretical explanations unless these
theories could be verified by the human senses. By the 1800s this popularly held
philosophy asserted that man could only know truth by the five senses: sight, hearing,
touch, taste and smell. All else was a product of the imagination. The most important
statement of this theory was made by John Locke (1632-1704). He claimed that all
knowledge comes from sense experience. You might wonder, what's wrong with that?
Empiricism does away with the spiritual nature of man, as well as the existence of God.
Man becomes only a material being. Empiricism leads to complete skepticism when it comes
to God and the spiritual nature of man.
- THE FINAL FORCE THAT PREPARED THE WAY FOR PSYCHOLOGY IS --
The Theory of Evolution
Charles Darwin published Origin of Species in 1859. Darwin
theorized that man evolved from lower animals. The degeneration was now complete. Aquinas
undermined the Bible's teaching on sin. Empiricism took away with man's soul and Evolution
made man just another animal. God was now, for all practical purposes, out of the picture.
Man was ready for psychology.
THE FOUR MAINSTREAMS OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Psychoanalytic -- Sigmund Freud & Carl Jung
2. Behavioristic -- B. F. Skinner
3. Humanistic -- Carl Rogers
4. Existential or Transpersonal -- Abraham Maslow
Let's take a look at each of these psychological models --
- PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOLOGY
Very Few people realize that Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was in-volved in
the occult. He was a member of the Society of Psychical Re-search London and the
Ameri-can
Society for Psychical Re-search in New York City. Freud had experiences with clairaudience
(the supposed power to hear things outside the range of normal perception), telepathy
(communication through means other than the senses, as by the exercise of an occult
power), dreams of premonition as well as hearing voices (Harpers's Encyclopedia of
Mystical & Paranormal Experiences by Rosemary Guiley). Further, he rejected the
truth that man was a sinner and that sin was at the root of man's problems. As a
result of that, he developed his own theory called the psychoanalytic theory.
He
said that man's problems stem from repressed desires. He supposed that the unconscious was
a vast reservoir of forgotten experiences and repressed desires primarily sexual in
nature. In light of this people are not really responsible for their actions. Those who
follow Freud say that the only way to resolve our problems is to go on an archaeological
dig into your subconscious mind and see what you can dredge up from the reservoir of your
unconsciousness. How did Freud attempt to get the repressed information to the surface?
First, by hypnotism. "As a young physician, Freud had observed that
hysterical patients seemed to lose their symptoms after being under hypnosis and recalling
material which, apparently had been completely forgotten. From this, he developed the
concept of an unconscious which dominates the activities of a person, and is motivated by
forgotten experiences, forgotten by means of repression, and kept submerged by means of
resistance"5
Secondly, Freud developed a technique called psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is
based on the assumption that various disorders of the mind are the result of the
rejection by the conscious mind of factors that persist in the unconscious (repressed
memories) and therefore cause internal conflict. By using dream analysis and
free
association he claimed these conflicts could be resolved. The natural question is,
what is dream analysis? Freud's theory was that "dreams are the expression
of unconscious thoughts which are repressed when a person is fully awake."6 Therefore he concluded that he could analyze these dreams and get
information about the unconscious motivations of the individual.
What about free association? Free association is "the technique of
having the patient talk as freely as possible bringing in whatever ideas,
memories, etc. are associated in his mind."7 The
counselor then analyzes what has been said and uses the information to "uncover"
and "clarifies" repressed memories. I see major problems, don't you? The
counselor is the final authority and interpretations would be evaluated on the basis of
the counselor's value system.
Now, someone is going to say, "No one uses Freudian psychology today."
Oh yes they do! A middle age single woman I have known for a number of years was having
trouble with tension and sleeping. She sought out professional help. After an hour session
of "free association" the conclusion of this "professional" was that
she had a build up of sexual tension. She was shocked when he suggested, "the best
thing that you could do would be to go out and get laid" She was incensed that
she had to pay for this psychological advice! Freudian psychology is still around!
This song by Anna Russel characterizes the influence of Freudian
psychology in America
I went to my psychiatrist to be psychoanalyzed
To find out why I killed the cat and blackened my wife's eyes.
He put me on a downy couch to see what he could find,
And this is what he dredged up from my subconscious mind:
When I was one, my mommy hid my dolly in the trunk,
And so it follows naturally that I am always drunk.
When I was two I saw my father kiss the maid one day,
And that is why I suffer now from kleptomania.
When I was three, I suffered from ambivalence toward my brothers,
So it follows naturally, I poison all my lovers.
I'm so glad that I have learned the lesson it has taught,
That everything I do that's wrong is someone else's fault!
The Bible is clear. We are responsible for our own actions and we will all give account
of ourselves to God (Romans 14:12). There will be no passing the buck when the
sinner stands before God.
Before I move on, I want to introduce you to Carl Jung (1875-1961). Jung broke
with Freud over sexual repression being the primary root of our problems but still
believed the un-conscious being the root of our problems. But Jung was a Christ
rejecter. At an early age "he renounced the austere and formal Protestant
Christianity in which he was raised."8 He instead exposed
himself to seances and persistent poltergeist activity. "He had his first psychic
vision at the age of three."9 And He also affirmed "the
reality of spirits and spiritualism, on the evidence of telekinesis, messages of dying
people, hypnotism, clairvoyance... and prophetic dreams."10
Now, fasten your seat belt, because Carl Jung gave a startling revelation near
the end of his life. He candidly admitted that, "far from being the science he had
represented them to be, everything ('all my works, all my creative activity') derived
from horrendous experiences with haunting spirit entities that nearly drove him insane. It
was during this time that 'Philemon' became his 'spirit guide.'"11
Jung was involved in Gnosticism, Alchemy, Astrology, I Ching, Mystical Systems,
Spiritualism & Folklore. His grandfather was a Rosicrucian.
Summary -- The Psychoanalytic Theory of Psychology teaches that 1) Man is a
biological machine or biologic-psychic determinism. Man is merely a product of genetics
and his environment. He is driven by forces in his subconscious mind that he can neither
understand nor control, such as sexual repression and the repression and hindering of free
expression. Only by psychoanalysis can these things be uncovered and dealt with so the
individual can have freedom and peace. 2) As just mentioned, the key to freedom and peace
is uncovering repressed memories. This is done by hypnotism and psychoanalysis.
Psychoanalysis is a combination of dream analysis and free association techniques. 3) The
psychoanalytic view of right and wrong is, right and wrong are only what you determine
them to be.
It should be obvious that this psychological model is in conflict with the Bible and
MUST be rejected. The Bible says, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1
Thessalonians 5:21 and Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Romans
12:9
Let's move on to the second psychological theory. This theory is
called the Behavior-istic theory. It was developed by B. F.
Skinner (1904-1990). Skinner looked at man from an evolutionary point of view.
Man
was just an animal. The way to solve man's problems was by behavioral modification, a
system of rewards and punishment. This would enable man to better fit into the social
order designed by the intellectually elite.
Summary of the theory Behavioristic Psychology --
Man is just a soulless animal
who has no free will and no guarantee of meaning or happiness in life. As an animal,
behavioral modification is what is needed to solve the problems of life. When his behavior
is modified man will be enabled to better fit into the orderly society by the
intellectually elite.
The problems of life are solved by behavior modification so the person can fall into
lock-step with the "politically correct" norm. Their view of right and wrong is
-- Right and wrong are determined by the intellectually elite.
The fact is, we are not animals and we are not the product of evolution! The Bible says
in Genesis 1:27 "...God created man in his own image, in the image of God created
he him; male and female created he them."
The third theory was developed by Carl Rogers (1902-1987) and is called
the Humanistic Theory of Psychology. In this view, problems stem from our
conscience and guilt. These two things need to be done away with because they are holding
back our freedom, creativity and joy. What we need to do is love ourselves and accept
ourselves because self-love & self-acceptance is the key to solving our problems.
Summary of the Humanistic Theory of Psychology
-- Man is good and has unlimited potential! Yet, people are not responsible for what they
are, but they have a free will and can choose to change. The problems that man have stem
from conscience and guilt. These two must be done away with because they us back from
freedom, creativity and joy. What we need is non-judgmental self-acceptance. Further we
must realize that the answers to all our problems lies within ourselves. The key to
problem solving in this model is self-acceptance. Self is elevated to godhood, because you
have all the answers to your problems within yourself. Further, there is no right and
wrong in this psychological model. What is right for you is right and what is wrong for
you is wrong. But why did Rogers adopt such a anti-biblical view? While he was in seminary
studying for the ministry he rebelled God, renounced the Bible and his conservative
Protestant upbringing. He rejected the biblical view of man and offered his second-rate
substitute. 1 Samuel 15:23 says, For rebellion is as the sin of
witchcraft..." so it is little wonder that later in his life, when he came face
to face with eternity that he took to attending seances and looked to the Ouija board for
answers about the hereafter.
Our greatest need is not to love ourselves and accept ourselves, our greatest need it
to be right with God, get saved and live for him. It is far more important that God
accepts us than to spend our time learning how better to accept ourselves.
Note Matthew 16:24 -- Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
- EXISTENTIAL/TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Finally we come to the last major psychological theory developed by Abraham Maslow
(1908-1970). This view is called Existential or Transpersonal Psychology.
In Maslow's view there were no absolutes. You determine your own reality. The answer to
your problems is Self-Actualization, discovering that you are "god." You just
need to accept that fact and live accordingly. American Health magazine sums this
view up quite well when it said, "There's a new breed of shrinks in the land. But
instead of couches and Rorschach tests, their accouterments are tarot cards
and astrological charts... [These are] the shrinks of the yuppie generation... belief in
the occult is stronger than ever."12
Summary of the Existential Theory of Psychology
-- Man is a spiritual being, capable of making his own reality. The answer to our problems
is self-actualization, that is, we need to discover the "god" within ourselves.
The cure for our problems comes form mystical practices, occult meditation, and many other
practices associated with Easter Religions. Once you realize that your are god and accept
that fact, you will have fulfillment. In this view, your determine right and wrong. There
are no absolutes.
Why do people go to psychologists and
psychiatrists and does it help?
The truth is, most people go to psychologists and psychiatrists looking
for help with the problems of life. "Research psychiatrist E. Fuller Torrey found
that about 5% of those who come to a psychiatrist are people with organic brain disease
while about 75% are people with problems of living. 20% will require closer examination to
make a final judgment to determine which category they fit into. Torrey continues that at
least 75% of those who come to a psychiatrist do not need treatment but actually need to
be educated in how to live." 13
Frankly, I would estimate that by the time the remaining 20% of the cases are examined
that at least 15% would fit in to the "need to be educated in how to live" category,
bringing the total to 90%. This study shows that most people are looking in the wrong
place for help. The Bible has the answers for life's problems. Therefore, they need to
look to the Bible and a biblical counselor for help.
Now, is psychology helping the people who seek out its advice? Research shows that
psychology is not doing such a good job at resolving the problems of life. The Joint
Commission on Mental Illness and Health did a survey and this is what
they found -- "of those persons who actively sought help for personal problems,
the vast majority contacted persons other than mental health professionals, and generally
they were more satisfied with the help they received than were those who chose
psychiatrists and psychologists."14
Oil and water don't mix. Holy and unholy don't mix. Psychology and the Bible don't mix.
Psychology in being offered and accepted as the answer to the problems of life in the
censers of many Bible believing churches across our land and the Lord is grieved. We must
get back to the Bible for our answers. Likely, there will be some who don't want to hear
what I have just shared with you. Consider Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become
your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Friends, psychology is a humanly devised fable and should be rejected! 2 Timothy
4:3-4 says, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Today, the Bible is being replaced by psychology as the standard for dealing with the
problems of life. Many pastors are giving their people a steady diet of psycho-babel from
the pulpit and in their counseling. In fact the most listened to theologian in America
today is not a theologian at all. Dr. James Dobson is a psychologist. While I appreciate
Dr. Dobson's intervention on behalf of the family, there is a problem. He's got a whole
generation believing that the root of their problems in life is that they don't love and
accept themselves enough. That's not what the Bible says (Eph. 5:29; Phil. 2:3;
James 2:8). Our problem is that we love ourselves too much. Man's greatest need is to be
right with God, not to love ourselves and accept ourselves more. Offering psychological
solutions for the problems of life is strange fire because that is not where we have been
commanded to go!
Where have we been commanded to go? To the Bible! Since God created us, He knows what
makes us tick. God has provided us with reliable information on "how to
live?" 2Peter 1:2-4 says, Grace and peace be multiplied unto you
through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath
given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of
him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great
and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having
escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
This passage simply says that God has provided all that we need to live a victorious,
God-honoring life. As a person looks to God and the guidance given in His Word, then
implements the principles that he finds there, he will change in the areas of thoughts,
emotions and actions.. he will learn how to live. Why can I say that with authority? Turn
to 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, All scripture is given by inspiration of God (God
breathed), and is profitable (a useful guide) for doctrine (what's
right) , for reproof (what's not right), for correction (how to get right), for
instruction (how to stay right) in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be
perfect (whole), thoroughly furnished (competent) unto all good works. Simply
stated, the Bible tells us what's right, what's not right, how to get right and how to
stay right. That is what people need today!
All four key streams of psychological theories are based on man's wisdom, the wisdom
from beneath which is in direct opposition to God's wisdom. James 3:15-17 describes
the two sources of wisdom. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife' is, there is confusion and
every evil work 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partialily, and
without hypocrisy.
The Bible clearly points out what God thinks of this world's wisdom -- "For the
wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.." 1 Corinthians 3:19
1. Martin & Deidre Bobgin; Psychology -- Science or Religion; p.3
2. Albert James Dager; Inner Healing -- A Biblical Analysis; p.13
3. Nelson E. Hinman; An Answer To Humanistic Psychology; Harvest House
Publishers
4. Ibid.
5. Franklin Dunham - Editor; The New Universal One-Volume Encyclopedia; p.637
6. Ibid.
7. Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language - 1968, p. 557
8. Hunt & McMahon; America: The Sorcerer's New Apprentice; p.11
9. Ibid.
10. C. G. Jung; Psychology and The Occult; Princeton University Press - 1977; p.vii
11. Hunt & McMahon; America: The Sorcerer's New Apprentice; p.11
12. Lise Spiegel; American Health Magazine - New Age Shrinks; p. 18
13. Joint Commission On Mental Health - Action for Mental Health; p. 103
14. Bergin & Lambert; Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change -- The
Evaluation of Therapeutic Outcomes; p. 149
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