Questions about Psychology

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WhiteStone

Junior Member
Sep 16, 2011
2
0
1
I have been contemplating psychology and the existence of spiritual things (God, Jesus, Satan, guilt, temptation, etc.). It seems these two work against each other, such as bad thoughts coming from Satan can also be described as a chemical imbalance. Psychology can be used to explain pretty much everything that happens to us mentally. Satan tempting us through thoughts can be explained as intrusive thoughts.

A question I have been asking myself to help me understand yet I cannot wrap my head around it is why wouldn't God work through psychology? Is our mind designed to work in a way that allows us to experience spiritual things?

I am unable to establish any conclusions in this matter. I feel my belief in God and my need for Him being shaken. A lot of people come to know Christ when they are at the end of their rope, or when in psychological distress. Is it ok for people to hit rock bottom so they call on God for help? If people are psychologically healthy do they even have a need for God?
 
Oddly enough, Christianity has been viewed as a type of literal mental illness that needs cured. All the while, Christianity sees the world as an illness that needs evangelized. I don't think you're going to get very far with this dichotomy.

Seek, ask, study; do what you have to do to find a place that you're comfortable in - which is not to say you might not be stirred from there, either. Life is just like that sometimes.

I've been struggling in matters of faith as well. You're welcome to PM me about it if you want, though I really am not very well educated in the field of psychology.
 
There is no reason for a study of psychology to shake your faith.

If psychology is shaking your faith then:
A. You haven't studied the bible enough (which will contain answers to all these things).
B. You don't have a proper understanding yet of what exactly psychology is, and what it isn't.

Psychology is very interesting, but it's a very inexact and subjective science... if it's a science at all.
Study your bible more.
You'll find the answers.
 
Everyone has tempting thoughts- which is not wrong, Jesus was tempted. It is only wrong to sin (to know the good you ought to do, yet choose not to do it). There are certain things, and people, and situations that I know I need to stay away from. I know I should choose not to smoke, get drunk, or hang out with the bad crowd, and thanks be to God I have avoided such for years now. But do I live totally sin free? No, but I try.

We all have this psychological problem, some more than others. Those who choose to wallow in it, God gives over to a depraved mind. Demons still play a roll. I don't believe demon possession happens anymore since the apostles aren't here to cast them out. But certainly they tempt us with evil thoughts, which can be carried out if we don't immediately dismiss those thoughts, yet feed and entertain those thoughts. Just like satan, demons are not patient, because patience is a righteous quality. So if you are strong against one kind of temptation, they will flee for a while, then come back with a different kind. If you let one work it feeds their excitement to want to pry that door open. But God said He will always provide a way out of temptation, not allowing you to be tempted beyond what you can bear.
 
I can see the OP has no background in psychology or psychiatry either!

Psychiatry has to do with treating brain disease with various methods, including chemicals, therapy, and lifestyle, including eating well and regular exercise. Psychology is the study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a given context. It also covers the emotional and mental behaviours governing a situation or activity.

In no way does this have to conflict with following Jesus! I lead a group of bipolar Christians. None of them excuses their behaviour based on intrusive thoughts! In fact, any person with mental illness who is at all self aware recognizes that these thoughts originate from inside themselves, even if it appears to come from the outside. Further, the right medications can stop someone from hearing thoughts all together.

As for mental illness being caused by Satan, not so much! Thre are many factors involved in developing mental illness, including genetics, environment and abuse. While the devil has always been a deceiver, he does not have access to our minds, if we are Christians. He can only try and attack the outside. And walking close to Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit has always been the best way for any Christian, mentally ill or totally normal, is the only way to have victory over the enemy.
 
A question I have been asking myself to help me understand yet I cannot wrap my head around it is why wouldn't God work through psychology? Is our mind designed to work in a way that allows us to experience spiritual things?

Demonic influences and possessions are certainly experienced through "psychology". For example, in his books psychologist William James writes: “...the mystic feels as if his own will were in abeyance, and indeed sometimes as if he were grasped and held by a superior power. This latter peculiarity connects mystical states with certain definite phenomena of secondary or alternative personality, such as prophetic speech, automatic writing, or the mediumistic trance…”

There is a well-documented case of Madam Guyon, reported by a psychologist Underhill who writes: “…when Madam Guyon was composing her works she would experience a sudden and irresistible inclination to take up her pen; though feeling wholly incapable of literary composition, and not even knowing the subject on which she would be impelled to write. If she resisted this impulse it was at the cost of the most intense discomfort. She would then begin to write with extraordinary swiftness; words, elaborate arguments, and appropriate quotations coming to her without reflection, and so quickly that one of her longest books was written in one and a half days…”

I believe the above are manifestations of demonic influences through "psychological" means
 
I feel my belief in God and my need for Him being shaken.

I wouldn't use Psychology to prove to yourself the existence of God

If you are sincerely looking for the evidence of God's existence of God there are other more "tangible" ways of doing that

For example we now know from current physics and cosmology that the universe began to exist as if someone created it out of nothing as Arno Penzias (Nobel prize in physics): "Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with the very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life, and one which has an underlying (one might say 'supernatural') plan."

We also know that the Universe appears to be “fine-tuned” as if someone tuned it as George Ellis (British astrophysicist) writes "Amazing fine tuning occurs in the laws that make this [complexity] possible. Realization of the complexity of what is accomplished makes it very difficult not to use the word 'miraculous' without taking a stand as to the ontological status of the word."

There are also other types of evidence. Let me give you few more quotes

Alan Sandage (winner of the Crawford prize in astronomy): "I find it quite improbable that such order came out of chaos. There has to be some organizing principle. God to me is a mystery but is the explanation for the miracle of existence, why there is something instead of nothing."

George Greenstein (astronomer): "As we survey all the evidence, the thought insistently arises that some supernatural agency - or, rather, Agency - must be involved. Is it possible that suddenly, without intending to, we have stumbled upon scientific proof of the existence of a Supreme Being? Was it God who stepped in and so providentially crafted the cosmos for our benefit?"

Tony Rothman (physicist): "When confronted with the order and beauty of the universe and the strange coincidences of nature, it's very tempting to take the leap of faith from science into religion. I am sure many physicists want to. I only wish they would admit it."

Vera Kistiakowsky (MIT physicist): "The exquisite order displayed by our scientific understanding of the physical world calls for the divine."

Frank Tipler (Professor of Mathematical Physics): "When I began my career as a cosmologist some twenty years ago, I was a convinced atheist. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that one day I would be writing a book purporting to show that the central claims of Judeo-Christian theology are in fact true, that these claims are straightforward deductions of the laws of physics as we now understand them. I have been forced into these conclusions by the inexorable logic of my own special branch of physics."

Arthur L. Schawlow (Professor of Physics at Stanford University, 1981 Nobel Prize in physics): "It seems to me that when confronted with the marvels of life and the universe, one must ask why and not just how. The only possible answers are religious. . . . I find a need for God in the universe and in my own life."

Wernher von Braun (Pioneer rocket engineer) "I find it as difficult to understand a scientist who does not acknowledge the presence of a superior rationality behind the existence of the universe as it is to comprehend a theologian who would deny the advances of science."

Antony Flew (Professor of Philosophy, former atheist, author, and debater) "It now seems to me that the findings of more than fifty years of DNA research have provided materials for a new and enormously powerful argument to design."

Robert Jastrow (self-proclaimed agnostic): "For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries."
 
Psychology like evolution involve theories that are continually in flux.

The Gospel is based in historic fact testified by many eye witnesses and confirmed by many miracles.

The Gospel is based on the fact that Christ died, was buried and rose on the third day.

Psychology can't touch that, place your faith in what is sure.
 
What has Psychology ever cured...what good has it even done?
Has one drug addict ever been delivered by psychology? Has one sick person ever been healed?
 
What has Psychology ever cured...what good has it even done?
Has one drug addict ever been delivered by psychology? Has one sick person ever been healed?

Can't tell if you're joking, but I sure hope you are.
 
Mental issue may or may not be caused by evil spirits. Yes, people can open themselves up to evil spirits by certain behavior and sometimes become oppressed or even possessed. That has nothing to do with some mental disorders. Some mental disorders are simply physical and are a result of the curse on the earth from original sin. These physical ailments don't have any connection to personal sin or evil spirits. They are like any sickness or physical imperfection, just a result of living in an imperfect world.
 
I have been contemplating psychology and the existence of spiritual things (God, Jesus, Satan, guilt, temptation, etc.). It seems these two work against each other, such as bad thoughts coming from Satan can also be described as a chemical imbalance. Psychology can be used to explain pretty much everything that happens to us mentally. Satan tempting us through thoughts can be explained as intrusive thoughts.

A question I have been asking myself to help me understand yet I cannot wrap my head around it is why wouldn't God work through psychology? Is our mind designed to work in a way that allows us to experience spiritual things?

I am unable to establish any conclusions in this matter. I feel my belief in God and my need for Him being shaken. A lot of people come to know Christ when they are at the end of their rope, or when in psychological distress. Is it ok for people to hit rock bottom so they call on God for help? If people are psychologically healthy do they even have a need for God?[/QUOTE/ I don't think that feeling mentally healthy has alot to do with whether God exist or not or whether we need him. Although some emotions like fear or anxiety, love, .ect have a physiologic and a spiritual aspect to them. Like the fleshly nature of fallen man. Or the righteousness, peace, and joy of the kingdom of God. I still do believe in demonic activity. An overlapping of these is also possible. As someone else said genetics,neurotransmitters and other factors affect the different neural systems.And God still does at times does heal people. I don't think I have ever met somebody that doesn't have some psychological confusion. God does still heal sometimes. Keep seeking the Lord for his understanding.
 
Psychology like evolution involve theories that are continually in flux.

The Gospel is based in historic fact testified by many eye witnesses and confirmed by many miracles.

The Gospel is based on the fact that Christ died, was buried and rose on the third day.

Psychology can't touch that, place your faith in what is sure.

We live in the most ego-enlarged, self-indulged, navel-examined society since the days of Babylon. Millions of people believe psychology holds the secret to happiness, but in reality, the psychological way of dealing with life's problems is merely arrogant preoccupation with one's self. "Psychology by no means holds the secret of human affairs, simply because this secret is not of a psychological order." (G. Politzer)It is of a spiritual order.
 
There is a lot said. Science can only explain so much. It deals with,the,physical state of our minds and bodies.

Faith deals with the body, mind and soul.

What about psychology shakes your faith?

What do you base your faith upon?

How has God changed your life?
 
Jesus was called a wonderful counselor. Ill
probably get heat for saying this but I think he was among many other things...the very first psychologist.
 
Jesus was called a wonderful counselor. Ill
probably get heat for saying this but I think he was among many other things...the very first psychologist.


Well that would line right up with 1 Corinthians 15:28 that reads that the Lord is our "all in all" -- and we also know that in Matthew 9:12 Jesus says He is our Physician -- and of course, as you said the Lord is Wonderful Counselor, as it's written in Isaiah 9:6. :o
 
Jesus was called a wonderful counselor. Ill
probably get heat for saying this but I think he was among many other things...the very first psychologist.

Get a tissue.....I am gonna tell you your issue. I like Jesus's style.
 
Well that would line right up with 1 Corinthians 15:28 that reads that the Lord is our "all in all" -- and we also know that in Matthew 9:12 Jesus says He is our Physician -- and of course, as you said the Lord is Wonderful Counselor, as it's written in Isaiah 9:6. :o

And He wrote one prescription for every single one of our ailments. :)
 
No I don't know not even one person that has ever been helped by this voodoo nonsense...do you?

I know lots of people who are applying biblically based tweaks in their thinking and as result are enjoying better mental health. People who are quick to shove aside the fact that we are biological creatures and were purposely created that way are really questioning God and His wisdom for doing the things the way He has chosen to do them.