Christianity or Psychology

It is either Christianity or psychology. There is no such thing as "Christianity and psychology" because Christianity is not compatible with psychology; they are mutually exclusive - one excludes the other. Christianity concerns things of the spirit, led by the Spirit of God. Psychology is a scientific study of the human mind - the creation of God. Furthermore, psychology is a major part of the New Age movement - a man-centered concept. God willing, we will deal with it in a later message.

Biblical Christianity

If the Church as a whole is to return to Biblical Christianity, then each individual Christian will have to make that journey for himself. We are not to follow Christian leaders except to the extent that they follow Christ. This means that each of us has to know and follow the Bible for himself, contending without compromise for the faith that has been committed to us, as saints, to proclaim and live.

Note what the psalmist says about the Bible (God's Word) - "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105, NKJV).

God's Word is like a lamp or a candle to light man's path so that he may see where he is going. It shows him the way; it prevents him from stumbling over obstacles or wandering off into paths which would into danger, or would turn him away altogether from the path to life.

Here are some statements of truth about the Bible as a practical guide for us:

1. The Bible does not claim to cover every subject, but whatever it says about any subject is without error, because the entire Bible is inspired of God and therefore infallible. In those areas that are not the primary focus of the Bible, we may look outside its pages for counsel, but nothing should be accepted that is not in agreement with what the Bible says related to that subject or which violates general principles in God's Word.

2. When it comes to our relationship with God through Christ, what the Christian life consist of, how that life is to be lived, and the power of doing so, the Bible claims to offer the only and complete truth. We must look to no other source for what God declares that He alone can supply. Whatever claims to supplement that of which God says He has given us all, can only be a counterfeit, no matter how closely it seems to be in agreement with the truth of God's Word.

3. The Bible has been called the "Manufacturer's (The Creator's) handbook," given to man by his Creator. It is man's guide to repentance, reconciliation, and the knowledge and worship of the God who loved and redeemed him - and who desires to lead him into the joyful fulfillment of all that God intended him to be and do and experience of Himself and His creation.

Paul said to Timothy: "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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:17, NKJV, emphasis added).

Those who heed the counsel of the Scripture will be perfect (mature), complete (fulfilled) thoroughly furnished unto every good work.

4. Any teaching (for example, psychology) that proposes to solve human problems apart from the Bible and the power of the Holy Spirit is automatically condemned by the Scripture itself.

The so-called "Christian psychology"

"Christian psychology" claims to solve "psychological problems" by means of psychotherapy. There is actually nothing wrong with "psychology" as far as getting scientific knowledge is concerned. Psychology, as a segment of science, deals with such matters as learning sensation, perception, and problem-solveing. What is forbidden by the Scripture is Psychotherapy - a term to describe the channel of healing of the human mind.

Many Christians see nothing wrong with Psychotherapy because to them, if it is legitimate for a Christian to go to a doctor who treats physical illness, there is no reason why he should not go to a doctor (a psychologist) who treats "mental illness."

Here are some very important reasons:

1. Medicine deals with the body (including the brain), which is physical and not covered exhaustively in the Bible. But psychology claims to treat the soul and mind, which Christians agree are nonphysical or spiritual. There is actually no such thing as "mental illness"; it is either a physical problem in the brain (such as a chemical imbalance or nutritional deficiency) or it is a moral or spiritual problem.

2. Medicine is a physical science, but psychology is in fact a religion trying to pass itself off as a spiritual science. It is actually a pseudoscience riddled with contradiction and confusion.

3. The Bible is not a scientific manual but a spiritual one. It does not claim to provide everything we need in the way of medical advice, but it does make that kind of specific claim concerning the soul and spirit of man. Psychotherapy by very definition contradicts that claim and must be rejected by all Christians.

Approaching the Bible - a basic principle

We must be careful not to approach the Bible with our own prior opinions in an attempt to find verses that we can somehow use to justify what we already want to believe. Succumbing to this temptation has probably brought more problems into the Church than anything else. On the contrary, we must let the Bible teach and change us. If the Bible is truly God's Word, then it will tell us what we did not and could not otherwise know, and our lives will be transformed if we believe and obey.

Christian psychology is one of the most alarming examples of a wrong approach to Scripture. It is based upon predetermined psychological theories that are imposed upon the Bible. As a result of the influence of psychology, the pure gospel and the practical application of the cross in daily life have been undermined.

Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23, NKJV).

Instead of doing what Jesus said, Christian psychologists turn "our daily taking up the cross" into "an inspiring idea" that will build up our self-esteem and the sense of self-worth. It is an insult to the One who hung upon the cross in agony, so that we may live. Sinners are no longer called upon to repent, but to awaken to their potential.

Christian psychologists totally ignore Paul's teaching concerning the cross and the suffering of Christ:

"... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:10).

"And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased" (Gal. 5:11).

"As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ" (Gal. 6:12).

God's Word is sufficient to meet all our needs

Christian psychologists seem to overlook the fact that God promises in His Word to provide, through faith and the indwelling Holy Spirit, everything that psychology pretends to offer, and far more beyond that. Here are some examples:

To the fearful, God's Word says: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been mad perfect in love" (1 John 4:18, NKJV).

And, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7).

And also, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, ..." (Ps. 46:1, 2).

For someone suffering from anxiety, God's Word says: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanting, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7).


When temptation comes, God's Word says: "Your word I have hidden my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Ps. 119:11).


When danger comes, God's Word says: "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways" (Ps. 91:4, 9 - 11).


When suffering from insomnia, God's Word says: "It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He give to His beloved even in his sleep" (Ps. 127:2, NAS).


The Bible is filled with examples (both in the Old and the New Testaments) of men and women, young and old, who suffered traumas and trials. They had no psychological help - the Bible does not mention any. It was out of their faith in God and their experience of His faithfulness through the deepest tribulations, and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the Scriptures were written. It is an insult to God and His Word to say that help is now needed from another source - psychological.


Paul said, "But we (the Church) have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16).


Paul also said, "When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Col. 3:4).


All that we need has been provided in God's Word and may be experienced through the indwelling Spirit of Christ as we fellowship with a local body of caring believers.


The fruit of the Spirit


Paul said, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal. 5:22 - 24, NAS).


Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24, NAS).


The fruit of the Spirit can be produced in our lives only when we are willing to die to self in Christ. There are no formulas, no techniques and no shortcuts. To look to psychology for spiritual help is not only begging bread and fish of that which can only give stones and scorpions, but is treading on dangerous ground in view of the clear injunction against adding to or taking away from Biblical revelation.


Delusion and fallacy


Christian psychologists claim that psychology offers a great deal toward an understanding of the human race. They attempt to explain scientifically and thereby provide an understanding of human behavior under the assumption that ignorance and not sin is the problem. If we only understood, then we could change our behavior to conform to our understanding.


This is a delusion that denies the root of the problem - man's sin nature and rebellion against God. A moral choice has been made that must be repented of before God. He alone can give cleansing for sin (1 John 1:9). Moreover, He alone can give the power to live a new life through Christ's indwelling Spirit. All of the understanding in the world will not provide the power to change one's behavior. A new moral choice is demanded. And if that choice is made without recognizing one's obligation to God and without accepting His remedy, then the result will either be failure to make a lasting change, or, what is even worse, outward success can produce self-righteousness.


All truth is God's truth


The Scripture declares that all truth is God's truth and that God's Word is God's truth.


The psalmist said, "The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever" (Ps. 119:160).


Jesus prayed to the Father: "Sanctify them (disciples of Christ) by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17).


Jesus and the psalmist did not say "part of the truth." God has spoken with finality; He has communicated in His Word the whole truth. There are no parts of this truth missing from the Bible and left in limbo, only to be discovered somewhere in the secular world - by psychologists.


According to the Scripture, the only "truth" that the unsaved person can understand is that he is a sinner and needs a Savior. This truth is imparted to him by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). Until he is born again of the Sprit of God, through faith in Christ, he cannot understand the "things of God" that are "spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14). God's truth, says Paul, is only understood by the "spiritual man" who has been born of God's Spirit into the family of God. It is only such, Paul declares, who "have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16).


To the unsaved Jesus said: "He who is of God hears God's words; therfore you do not hear, because you are not of God" (John 8:47).


What is the true Christian life? The Scripture declares that it is Christ living His resurrection life in those who have opened their hearts to Him - those who are born again of the Spirit of God. To suggest that psyhotherapy is necessary in order for today's Christians to experience the abundant life in Christ, is not only destructive of the Christian faith, but also an insult to the Almighty God!