Christianity and Psychology... can they happily coexist?

[yellowbo]

Christianity and psychology..can they happily coexist?

Discuss...

Go...:D:

[Servant]

Christianity and psychology..can they happily coexist?

Discuss...

Go...:D:


It probably depends upon your definitions of both. :tin :B:

[bopeep1909]

There are Christian psychologists out there. You just have to find them.<><

[yellowbo]

There are Christian psychologists out there. You just have to find them.<><

oh I am not looking. I am actually majoring in history with a minor in psych..weird I know, just keeping my options open! :D:

Seriously though, I am finding that my faith is butting heads with my psych stuff! And some of the psych stuff is down right nasty vile stuff.

[Acheron]

I am majoring in psychology and I have to agree, some of it is wrong and flawed. However, there are various schools of thought. I would probably lean more toward the humanist perspective (value of the person), but first and foremost I will be a Christian psychologist. I am planning on using my experiece with Asperger Syndrome to help children with this disorder, as I can see so much of myself in them when I was that age.

[Charity4Ever]

They can. Not necessarily by going with what is taught in your common psychology courses and with what has been done in psychology before, but you can make yourself fit and do new stuff.

For instance, using psychology to conduct research on what is effective for churches, ministries, etc. and how they (along with the Spirit) can use their previously gained knowledge to serve God and others better, even those with mental disorders (like Aperger Syndrome, which I'm also interested in). I'm doing experimental work of this sort. My friend is also doing experimental work looking at health benefits of religion. She's not really religious herself, but that's what she's doing.

Or, there is Christian counseling.

Most of the previous research and most clinical work is not really Christian (and often anti-Christian) but the opportunity *is* there. It just largely hasn't been done.

[Timothy]

I will concede this: Generally speaking, psychology can accurately determine that a problem does exist. Generally speaking, the problem arises in that psychology's ideas on addressing the problem are normally in sharp contrast to scripture...

When considering psychology, it is important to understand who and what you are giving your mind over to, whereas scripture gives us specific instruction on our mind, thinking patterns, etc.

[yellowbo]

I will concede this: Generally speaking, psychology can accurately determine that a problem does exist. Generally speaking, the problem arises in that psychology's ideas on addressing the problem are normally in sharp contrast to scripture...

When considering psychology, it is important to understand who and what you are giving your mind over to, whereas scripture gives us specific instruction on our mind, thinking patterns, etc.


Thats kind of how I am feeling about it all.:thumb

[prairiedog]

Christianity and psychology..can they happily coexist?

Discuss...

Go...:D:
Of course!
Christian parents regularly use psychology on their offspring.:laugh

[TEXASGRANDMA]

My son is in a Christian College seeking a degree in Christian Physchology.

[70thWeek]

Yes, the two can and do coexist. It's just a tool like any other sort of medicine. Psychology/Psychiatry help treat problems of the brain. I don't understand why some Christians have a problem with them.

[The Bearen]

The problem I have with many of the secular psychology roots are from Frued, Young, are its rooted in humnism and very anti God.

I have freinds who have studied psychology and they would say the same thing even christian psychology would use these theroies , I personally feel that they do clash .
The big push for self esteem , self love is rooted in secular psychology.
I believe in biblical psychology as you see in the proverbs , godly wisdom.

dave

[awakened0229]

I wonder.

I am a mental health professional and find that every day my profession contradicts my faith.

[buzzardhut]

I wonder.

I am a mental health professional and find that every day my profession contradicts my faith.
Your theory does not have to contradict your faith.
What theory do you use?

[70thWeek]

The problem I have with many of the secular psychology roots are from Frued, Young, are its rooted in humnism and very anti God.

I have freinds who have studied psychology and they would say the same thing even christian psychology would use these theroies , I personally feel that they do clash .
The big push for self esteem , self love is rooted in secular psychology.
I believe in biblical psychology as you see in the proverbs , godly wisdom.

dave

Again, I see them as tools. I think that psychotherapy (though it can trace its roots to Freud) is an invaluable tool with treating emotional and mental problems. This is not to discount Godly wisdom or God's healing power. He can and does heal, but sometimes he also uses doctors to heal. Psychiatry is just another branch of the medical field.

One criticism that I have heard is that psychology teaches that there is nothing wrong with people. Several things need to be cleared up. As Christians we know that sin is the problem with everyone. However, a lot of people need to hear that what they think is wrong with them, is not wrong with them in terms of self-esteem, etc.

I'm simply suggesting that we not throw the baby out with the bathwater. If I had cancer, I would go see an oncologist. If I have a mental issue, I see no reason not to go to a psychologist, psychiatrist. As a Christian though, I want to find a fellow Christian who will understand my life story and be able to listen to the Holy Spirit.

[bopeep1909]

oh I am not looking. I am actually majoring in history with a minor in psych..weird I know, just keeping my options open! :D:

Seriously though, I am finding that my faith is butting heads with my psych stuff! And some of the psych stuff is down right nasty vile stuff.

It is going to be tough to be a christian and a psych major. The psych world is very secular. I know a couple of really good christian psycholgists who are very devout christians. There are a few not very many.<><

[awakened0229]

My theoretical orientation is behavioristic w/ a dash of Carl Rogers.

The problem w/ my profession, is that people rely on it (psychology) rather than Jesus Christ. Also, we are trained to be extremely politically correct and often are working w/ people whose main problem (s) is/are sin. Yet, we are prohibited from pointing this out lest we be deemed "judgemental."

It is so hard to work w/ someone who claims that they are finally "being true" to themselves by "coming out of the closet" and living an openly homosexual lifestyle. My profession mandates that I embrace this "diversity" and facilitate this "personal growth." Yet, this is a direct contradiction to my faith and to the Bible. The list is endless: promiscuity, adultery, stealing, cheating, lying, . . .

I have been working in this field in a variety of capacities for many years and I have worked w/ a wide array of clients. I can tell you in all honesty that at the end of the day, mental health professionals can do nothing. We cannot heal the grieving, we cannot bestow self-esteem, we cannot magically fix those w/ "attentional deficits," etc. We can only do what Jesus Christ empowers us to do. Without Him we are nothing.

Our society has been very cleverly decieved by the enemy that we can fix ourselves (self-help books) or go to others to "fix" us. Only Jesus can do that.

Please understand that I am not saying that mental health professionals do not have a place. I believe that we do, but only when we work w/in a Christian context.

I live in a fairly large community and there is only one Christian Counseling Center. Sadly, these counselors are mocked w/in the professional community. Sadly, prior to being born again, I mocked them as well. However, recently, life circumstances have made it necessary for my little girl to receive counseling. I am so happy to say that she is being ministered to by a wonderful Christian Counselor at this same center.

I sought counseling as well, with the wife of a church elder. Sure I coulda gone to a psychiatrist and gotten a nice little pill to make me happy for a while, but nothing compares to the peace and healing bestowed by Jesus Christ.

[yellowbo]

It is going to be tough to be a christian and a psych major. The psych world is very secular. I know a couple of really good christian psycholgists who are very devout christians. There are a few not very many.<><

Actually, I am majoring in history, I am more then likely going to change my minor, as I really can not, and don't want to grasp the filth I am being taught in psych.

Thanks for all the great responses!:):

[buzzardhut]

Actually, I am majoring in history, I am more then likely going to change my minor, as I really can not, and don't want to grasp the filth I am being taught in psych.

Thanks for all the great responses!:):
You might enjoy Christian Counseling under Family Systems therapy.

[sandy111]

The problem I have with many of the secular psychology roots are from Frued, Young, are its rooted in humnism and very anti God.

I have freinds who have studied psychology and they would say the same thing even christian psychology would use these theroies , I personally feel that they do clash .
The big push for self esteem , self love is rooted in secular psychology.
I believe in biblical psychology as you see in the proverbs , godly wisdom.

dave

I dont like it called that, rather I'd rather see self respect.

some of it is ok a lot is bogus.

I do think some people do hate themselves, they repress a lot of anger.
once the anger is expressed they are better.

have to confess anger before God can deal with it.

[Timothy]

emotional problems..

This may be a "nit," but I would argue that "emotional problems" is really a mistaken perception. We don't really have emotional problems, but the real issue is that we all have thinking problems. The reason is that emotions are "dumb" - there is no intelligence in them, by themself, because they follow (are the result of) thoughts. What we think determines how we feel. The most practical example is a scary movie. While watching the movie, we are THINKING and processing in our minds about what's going to happen next, etc. We get scared, the heart races, palms get sweaty, etc. But nothing is happening to us - our emotions can't tell the difference (between fact and fantasy). The issues arise when we start thinking improper thoughts about ourself, etc. Over and over, Paul emphasizes the importance of our thoughts and our mind. For example:

II Corinthians 10:5 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

...have to confess anger before God...

This is a tangent, but I just wanted to add a "clarification" that anger or being angry is not necessarily a sin. i.e. scripture describes both Christ and God as being angry. Due to a (bad) verse with a key missing phrase in the NIV, there are some Christians (I'm not saying you) that mistakenly conclude that anger itself is a sin. If someone wants more explanation, just say so, and I'll locate an old thread on that very topic...

[70thWeek]

This may be a "nit," but I would argue that "emotional problems" is really a mistaken perception. We don't really have emotional problems, but the real issue is that we all have thinking problems. The reason is that emotions are "dumb" - there is no intelligence in them, by themself, because they follow (are the result of) thoughts. What we think determines how we feel. The most practical example is a scary movie. While watching the movie, we are THINKING and processing in our minds about what's going to happen next, etc. We get scared, the heart races, palms get sweaty, etc. But nothing is happening to us - our emotions can't tell the difference (between fact and fantasy). The issues arise when we start thinking improper thoughts about ourself, etc.

I don't disagree. Thoughts cause emotions which cause actions.

[Mr. Berean]

Christianity and psychology..can they happily coexist?

I don't believe that they can happily coexist, because God's "divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).... and there are even Christian psychologist's who acknowledge that "Christian" psychology is no different from secular psychology. In a paper they presented at a professional gathering of their colleagues, two Christian psychologist's stated the following:

There is no acceptable Christian psychology that is markedly different from non-Christian psychology.
It is difficult to imply that we function in a manner that is fundamentally distinct from our non-Christian colleagues....As yet there is not an acceptable theory, mode of research or treatment methodology [in psychology] that is distinctly Christian.



For more info on these issues, I recommend visiting PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries. (http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/)

I can't say that psychologist's are not sincere, and I do think that some of them really want to help people....But I have wasted years in psychological counseling, and I can testify to the fact that it has only made things worse. I do believe that we all need counsel, but I just think that we should be aware of "the counsel of the ungodly" (Psalm 1:1).

[70thWeek]

I don't believe that they can happily coexist, because God's "divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).... and there are even Christian psychologist's who acknowledge that "Christian" psychology is no different from secular psychology. In a paper they presented at a professional gathering of their colleagues, two Christian psychologist's stated the following:





For more info on these issues, I recommend visiting PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries. (http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/)

I can't say that psychologist's are not sincere, and I do think that some of them really want to help people....But I have wasted years in psychological counseling, and I can testify to the fact that it has only made things worse. I do believe that we all need counsel, but I just think that we should be aware of "the counsel of the ungodly" (Psalm 1:1).


Does Christian cardiology differ from secular cardiology? Does "all things" include antibiotics? Vaccinations?

[bopeep1909]

Does Christian cardiology differ from secular cardiology? Does "all things" include antibiotics? Vaccinations?

I know a few cardiologists who are christians. They are human just like us some christian some secular. Don't knock antibiotics and vaccinations. Our Lord made them possible. Many died before antibiotics and vaccinations were available. If you were laying in a bed and they told you that you had about an hour to live unless you were given antibiotics what would be your response?<><

[70thWeek]

I know a few cardiologists who are christians. They are human just like us some christian some secular. Don't knock antibiotics and vaccinations. Our Lord made them possible. Many died before antibiotics and vaccinations were available. If you were laying in a bed and they told you that you had about an hour to live unless you were given antibiotics what would be your response?<><

I'm not knocking anything. I'm trying to make the case that psychology/psychiatry is another facet of medicine like these other things.