Is Psychology Biblical?
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I kind of think of psychology kind of like science, there are certain scientific ideas that we as Christians accept. Like Anatomy and Physiology. That's how God made it. It doesn't all just happen by magic. But there are some scientific ideas that most Christians reject, like the big bang theory. I took one psychology class 2 1/2 years ago and I remember most of it making sense and me agreeing with, but some of it that I didn't necessarily agree with.
So I would agree with Johnny_B as long as God is the final authority.
So I would agree with Johnny_B as long as God is the final authority.
First we must discern what this 'science' really is and what it actually does.
There are folks a lot smarter then I am who can explain it much better, but for me the litmus test of any councilor is this: is what they minister actuated by the Holy Spirit and confirmed in the word? or is it rather clinical observations and opinions based on a certain model? if its the latter you might reconsider allowing it to be part of any believers walk...
The Almighty in His infinite wisdom has shown each person (in the way they are able to receive and understand the truth) how to apply it in their lives, this becomes more clear to the person when guided to the proper application and study of the word of God. so decide for yourself, if the Holy Spirit is speaking through a councilor, teacher, preacher or friend, it can and will always be confirmed in the Word of truth directly or indirectly.
There are folks a lot smarter then I am who can explain it much better, but for me the litmus test of any councilor is this: is what they minister actuated by the Holy Spirit and confirmed in the word? or is it rather clinical observations and opinions based on a certain model? if its the latter you might reconsider allowing it to be part of any believers walk...
The Almighty in His infinite wisdom has shown each person (in the way they are able to receive and understand the truth) how to apply it in their lives, this becomes more clear to the person when guided to the proper application and study of the word of God. so decide for yourself, if the Holy Spirit is speaking through a councilor, teacher, preacher or friend, it can and will always be confirmed in the Word of truth directly or indirectly.
Personally I believe that any so-called Christian counselling that is not based on the finished work of Christ is a waste of time and actually can promote the reliance of modern psychology techniques that actually do very little in bringing about an exchanged life.
Certainly some modern techniques can help superficially and perhaps in an initial stage of things but they will not have the substance needed to experience real life transformation - only Christ Himself can do that.
Only the renewing of the mind to the things of Christ and the new creation that we have become has the power to effect real transformation and freedom in our lives.
( notice I did NOT say all Christian counselling is a waste of time )
Certainly some modern techniques can help superficially and perhaps in an initial stage of things but they will not have the substance needed to experience real life transformation - only Christ Himself can do that.
Only the renewing of the mind to the things of Christ and the new creation that we have become has the power to effect real transformation and freedom in our lives.
( notice I did NOT say all Christian counselling is a waste of time )
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The OP and the title are a bit narrow and misleading, IMHO. First, "the modern church" has not chosen to trust in psychology. Some Christians have... let's not conflate the two!
Psychology is the study (which includes some science) of behaviour. Nothing in that basic definition is anti-biblical. The anti-biblical comes in when people take unbiblical models of behaviour and personality makeup and use those as foundational to their practice. In this as in all things, Christians are to seek the truth of God's word and measure everything else against that.
Psychology is the study (which includes some science) of behaviour. Nothing in that basic definition is anti-biblical. The anti-biblical comes in when people take unbiblical models of behaviour and personality makeup and use those as foundational to their practice. In this as in all things, Christians are to seek the truth of God's word and measure everything else against that.
The renewing of your mind is psychological, faith in something unseen is psychological, listening to the Spirit is psychological. Satan will attack in the psyche of our consciousness but will try to plant the seeds of lies into our unconsciousness. As these seeds sprout, satan will try to water (tempt) these lies into action.
The battle of the mind is totally biblical. And has been severely regarded for soo long but psychology is quickly catching up to modern times.
The battle of the mind is totally biblical. And has been severely regarded for soo long but psychology is quickly catching up to modern times.
I use psychology a lot both on myself and other people. I especially like to use it on myself, I can see traits of myself using mental psychology that i might not have before and i can also study why I do and don't do certain things using psychology.
It's actually a very practical science and is actually used by any people daily without them even realizing it.
When you are say attacking someone on the bible discussion forum( my bad teaching the truth;b) and you are telling them off saying why they won't accept God's truth and giving an explanation of their arrogant mindset and the reason why they lack scriptural knowledge of his truth that is using psychology you are placing yourself in their mind set and their ways of thinking and conclude why they believe what they do and why they don't believe what they don't.
Psychology is actually a very interesting realm of study, the study of the mind and what makes people tick can be very revealing about ourselves as well. For instance because I observe everything around me especially people psychology and why people think how they do came naturally to me and in studying people I learned things about myself. For instance when I am either nervous or lying when I speak I am always scratching something on my body sometimes it's my arm or shoulder or sometimes it's my face.
When I am feeling vulnerable or weak I always have my arm on my shoulder. I am one who searches my own heart constantly so noticing these things about myself using psychology was easy. Doctors also need to be able to use this to a point because many times the patient will think something is wrong and panic or think what is wrong with them is severe when it isn't and if the doctor knows this patient has an unstable and kind of scattered mind set or say they are very emotional and freak out over small things the doctor sometimes gives them a sugar pill and their mind thinking it's medicine will trick their body and they will feel absolutely normal
It's actually a very practical science and is actually used by any people daily without them even realizing it.
When you are say attacking someone on the bible discussion forum( my bad teaching the truth;b) and you are telling them off saying why they won't accept God's truth and giving an explanation of their arrogant mindset and the reason why they lack scriptural knowledge of his truth that is using psychology you are placing yourself in their mind set and their ways of thinking and conclude why they believe what they do and why they don't believe what they don't.
Psychology is actually a very interesting realm of study, the study of the mind and what makes people tick can be very revealing about ourselves as well. For instance because I observe everything around me especially people psychology and why people think how they do came naturally to me and in studying people I learned things about myself. For instance when I am either nervous or lying when I speak I am always scratching something on my body sometimes it's my arm or shoulder or sometimes it's my face.
When I am feeling vulnerable or weak I always have my arm on my shoulder. I am one who searches my own heart constantly so noticing these things about myself using psychology was easy. Doctors also need to be able to use this to a point because many times the patient will think something is wrong and panic or think what is wrong with them is severe when it isn't and if the doctor knows this patient has an unstable and kind of scattered mind set or say they are very emotional and freak out over small things the doctor sometimes gives them a sugar pill and their mind thinking it's medicine will trick their body and they will feel absolutely normal
Nothing like the carnal wisdom of blind mankind claiming to be "settled science" to draw Christians away from the Lord into darkness.
In the end you will see that psychology is a joke perpetrated by the devil on those that are so slow that they just open up and do whatever the "doc" tells them to do and he becomes their god...
sad in deed.
That's a mistake... we have access to the Mind of Christ from the viewpoint of being seated with Him in Heavenly places (IN CHRIST)... so why would you want to venture in to anyone else's understanding?
Jesus is right, so it's better to start off with the right answers that will stand for eternity versus wallowing around in the mind of fallen mankind who is blind and in a bind always trying to unwind himself he can never find. (no, let's NOT start rappin)
In the end you will see that psychology is a joke perpetrated by the devil on those that are so slow that they just open up and do whatever the "doc" tells them to do and he becomes their god...
sad in deed.
That's a mistake... we have access to the Mind of Christ from the viewpoint of being seated with Him in Heavenly places (IN CHRIST)... so why would you want to venture in to anyone else's understanding?
Jesus is right, so it's better to start off with the right answers that will stand for eternity versus wallowing around in the mind of fallen mankind who is blind and in a bind always trying to unwind himself he can never find. (no, let's NOT start rappin)
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I would say no,but not necessarily for a doctor that deals with physical problems,for God might not heal physically,but He will always heal,and maintain good mental health in a saint.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
If we have problems we give them to God,and let Him deal with them,so we take the worry off of us,and the stress.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
God gives us a sound mind.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
We have the Comfort of the Spirit to cause us to get through problems.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Joh 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Cast your cares upon God,gives us a sound mind,comforts us,gives us rest unto our souls,peace that passes all understanding,and joy that no person can take away,for it is not controlled by our emotion,but by God.
This does not mean we will not run in to problems,but with God our mind will not be distraught,and confused,so there is no need to seek a mental health doctor,for our mindset,and God operating in our life causes our mind to be balanced,and not distraught,despite what we go through.
A doctor for physical problems,I would say they might need one,but a person in the truth,led by the Spirit,I cannot see why they would need a doctor for mental health problems,for their mindset with those problems will not cause their mind to be in the same condition of those that are in the world.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
If we have problems we give them to God,and let Him deal with them,so we take the worry off of us,and the stress.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
God gives us a sound mind.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
We have the Comfort of the Spirit to cause us to get through problems.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Joh 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Cast your cares upon God,gives us a sound mind,comforts us,gives us rest unto our souls,peace that passes all understanding,and joy that no person can take away,for it is not controlled by our emotion,but by God.
This does not mean we will not run in to problems,but with God our mind will not be distraught,and confused,so there is no need to seek a mental health doctor,for our mindset,and God operating in our life causes our mind to be balanced,and not distraught,despite what we go through.
A doctor for physical problems,I would say they might need one,but a person in the truth,led by the Spirit,I cannot see why they would need a doctor for mental health problems,for their mindset with those problems will not cause their mind to be in the same condition of those that are in the world.
