Modern Psychology and Christianity

[AbigailZeke]

Hi all. I have had this thing against modern psychology for quite some time now, that, as far as I know, are very contradicting to God's Word. I wouldn't get bothered by it, except, instead of helping people get better, it leads them to life-ruining traps.

Feel free to correct me as I have had no psychological studies at all. This is only based on what I've heard and observed from people (and of course, the internet). I've also heard a lot of sermons about it.

I have two cases, that I don't know if actually true (so far, based on my research, returns true):

1. Once an addict, always an addict. This bothers me a lot. I have been addicted to two very toxic lifestyles and, though not easy at all, God lead me out of it NOT by acknowledging that I'm helpless to the point that even God can't change my identity from addict to free. Also this notion that, once free from one addiction, the once-addicted person WILL get addicted to something else. According to these doctors, it's because addiction is a disease that's incurable (and even genetic!)
2. We were formed by our environment. Basically, who are now, and the decisions we make are a product of what we've been through, therefore, we cannot be held responsible and accountable for our actions.

These lead to victim mentality, very contrary to God's Word and will for us to walk in victory. Again, I don't know much about the academics of psychology and I'm not, God forbid, making light of people's struggles (addiction, etc). I had my own and I know it's nasty. But I think, by allowing these psychological myths to take root in the heart of many, many people, we are letting our brothers and sisters walk into a trap and a cycle of defeat. If there's a psychologist here on CC, it would be great if you can correct my perceptions, maybe I just totally misunderstood.

So, what do you guys think?

 

[HisHolly]

Great topic.. I'm a psychology major.. I'm get back to you..

 

[laura_charlotte]

I've completed my undergrad degree in psychology so I'm limited to this formally speaking. On a more personal level I left it behind and didn't go on to pursue postgraduate studies because I knew there were so many gaps not being filled in both knowledge and a spiritual capacity in this area of the study of the mind. You have to understand that the brain is such an intricate organ, there are many things still not yet discovered about it and as such we can only turn to our creator for that ultimate grasp on anything we face in our journey with Him.

If you want to reduce your emotional and spiritual well being to someone who has done a few years of study, that's every person's respective wish, but God is missing from that entire picture. You can attain a university education on the matter for free if you so wish, but the ultimate source of knowledge is God's word - the bible and subsequently our relationship with Him. Nothing can ever get past this.

God called me away from all this and I'm so glad He did. Everything through His eyes makes so much more sense and He is the true path to answers and eternal happiness.

 

[PennEd]

Hi all. I have had this thing against modern psychology for quite some time now, that, as far as I know, are very contradicting to God's Word. I wouldn't get bothered by it, except, instead of helping people get better, it leads them to life-ruining traps.

Feel free to correct me as I have had no psychological studies at all. This is only based on what I've heard and observed from people (and of course, the internet). I've also heard a lot of sermons about it.

I have two cases, that I don't know if actually true (so far, based on my research, returns true):

1. Once an addict, always an addict. This bothers me a lot. I have been addicted to two very toxic lifestyles and, though not easy at all, God lead me out of it NOT by acknowledging that I'm helpless to the point that even God can't change my identity from addict to free. Also this notion that, once free from one addiction, the once-addicted person WILL get addicted to something else. According to these doctors, it's because addiction is a disease that's incurable (and even genetic!)
2. We were formed by our environment. Basically, who are now, and the decisions we make are a product of what we've been through, therefore, we cannot be held responsible and accountable for our actions.

These lead to victim mentality, very contrary to God's Word and will for us to walk in victory. Again, I don't know much about the academics of psychology and I'm not, God forbid, making light of people's struggles (addiction, etc). I had my own and I know it's nasty. But I think, by allowing these psychological myths to take root in the heart of many, many people, we are letting our brothers and sisters walk into a trap and a cycle of defeat. If there's a psychologist here on CC, it would be great if you can correct my perceptions, maybe I just totally misunderstood.

So, what do you guys think?

Wow! Rare to find such a young person so grounded to what I believe is the truth!
You rock sister!

 

[Tinkerbell725]

I am also curious in what christian psychologists can say about this issue. I know addicts who have been transformed by faith that's why I don't want to believe that once an addict always an addict. But I also observed that maybe genetics have a role. I don't know if it's true but I saw this celebrate recovery web page. The mother was an active cocaine user and when she delivered her baby, the poor baby was shaking. Her addiction was somehow passed on to the baby. There are those who are prone and can easily get addicted. My grandfather is a smoker and almost all his children became smokers including the women.

 

[HisHolly]

The medical field only has data and statistics to go by. There are cases where someone broke an addiction but it was their determination that did it. Spirits have to be denied access or they run your life.. someone who has been one and forgets what having a will feels like, they need the new birth to change their nature and then the blood to cleanse and break the addiction, stronghold on the mind, habits from seeming impossible to replace ect..

 

[HisHolly]

Everything is governed by the spiritual realm. Some don't think it's as deep as it is but I've seen and experienced a different life and spirits, demons are sent to entice and destroy us by keeping us bound to anything other than Jesus

 

[Blain]

Psychology in it's used purpose can and will help people, to understand the human mind how it works and how to appropriately apply the correct way to help the person overcome their addiction is a science that can save lives if used in it's correct form. However not every person is the same their minds work differently and some don't even really want to be cured that much. and it also is not an exact science sometimes it takes years to be able to help a person overcome their addiction.

But in all honesty I haven't seen many good psychologists normally they prescribe a medication to the patient that they say may help them I also have seen people get into expensive institutions to become cured but they never seem to become cured quickly or even at all sometimes. I don't believe in once an addict always an addict I have even seen some cocaine users by sheer will cure themselves because they got to a point where they refused to let that drug affect their family anymore.
The mind is a very powerful thing if you believe something enough it will happen I read a news article of a construction worker who had this fear of being in a very tight space and freezing to death a very strange fear to have but get this one day he was working in a small safe and he accidently got locked in no one even knew there was a hole in it so he could breath but his cause of death is what was interesting.

It was around 100 degrees that night he was in there but when they found him in there the next morning he was blue as if he froze to death, his fear of freezing to death in a small space actually made his body think he was freezing to death. In the same way if one is addicted to something but they say to themselves I don't want it or need and they truly believe it their body will in turn believe it and cure itself. This comes easy to very few people for many it takes a lot of convincing themselves but the human mind is capable of amazing things.

Psychologists know this but mainly just slap a pill and really just tend to band aid the problems my guess is because in reality they need us sick or dependent on them in some way or form it's good business i was prescribed medication that I found out I didn't need I was given seizure medications only to find out I had no need for them I never had seizures after I became a Christian while I occasionally go through a sad spell I found I no longer needed my depression medication but my psychologist was very insistent on me continuing taking it even though I showed no signs of depression

 

[BeyondET]

I am also curious in what christian psychologists can say about this issue. I know addicts who have been transformed by faith that's why I don't want to believe that once an addict always an addict. But I also observed that maybe genetics have a role. I don't know if it's true but I saw this celebrate recovery web page. The mother was an active cocaine user and when she delivered her baby, the poor baby was shaking. Her addiction was somehow passed on to the baby. There are those who are prone and can easily get addicted. My grandfather is a smoker and almost all his children became smokers including the women.

The Celebrate recovery site has a pretty good comparison of the twelve step program use by AA and NA basically it's psychology along with scripture verses that a addict can use with the twelve step program to fight addictions.

1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

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2. We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:1

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3. We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1​

4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40

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5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16

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6 We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

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7 We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

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8 We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

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9 We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

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10 We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12​

11 We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16

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12 Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1​

 

[AbigailZeke]

I am also curious in what christian psychologists can say about this issue. I know addicts who have been transformed by faith that's why I don't want to believe that once an addict always an addict. But I also observed that maybe genetics have a role. I don't know if it's true but I saw this celebrate recovery web page. The mother was an active cocaine user and when she delivered her baby, the poor baby was shaking. Her addiction was somehow passed on to the baby. There are those who are prone and can easily get addicted. My grandfather is a smoker and almost all his children became smokers including the women.

This isn't considered genetic, I don't think. It's because the baby gets affected by what the mother consumes. If this mother, in her addiction, did not consume cocaine during pregnancy, baby will not be affected. I saw one of the videos where the baby was shaking. It's because the baby has tasted cocaine while inside the mother's womb.

 

[AbigailZeke]

The Celebrate recovery site has a pretty good comparison of the twelve step program use by AA and NA basically it's psychology along with scripture verses that a addict can use with the twelve step program to fight addictions.
1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

​

I'll read about the rest later, but isn't this first one contrary to Philippines 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?

Also, if you continue reading Romans... "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 8:5 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."

Even the Scripture is clear that there IS a choice. We are NOT powerless.

 

[AbigailZeke]

Is shaking not a sign that the baby needs cocaine because his brain is affected which means he is also addicted?

Yes, but it wasn't transferred to the baby genetically, rather because the baby had a taste of cocaine while in the womb, so the baby got addicted.

 

[BeyondET]

I'll read about the rest later, but isn't this first one contrary to Philippines 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?

Also, if you continue reading Romans... "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 8:5 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."

Even the Scripture is clear that there IS a choice. We are NOT powerless.

Hey there, really it's not contrary at all if you use the verse of Philippines 4:13 with steps 6 and 7 and indeed if a person doesn't knock for salvation would they still be strengthened with the power to overcome? We are powerless to be delivered from our sins only Jesus can do that. For Jesus doesn't knock on our door first it is us that have to knock first then We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

the idea about being shaped by your environment is a very blurry area.

I mean, obviously me living in a rich country with peace will cause my daily life to be different from someone living in a poor country with war, but even siblings can be drastically different, so clearly there are many factors involved.

Not sure I understand the first one. Are you saying psychology says people cannot fight addiction? Or am I just too tired to make sense of what I read at the moment?

 

[AbigailZeke]

the idea about being shaped by your environment is a very blurry area.

I mean, obviously me living in a rich country with peace will cause my daily life to be different from someone living in a poor country with war, but even siblings can be drastically different, so clearly there are many factors involved.

Not sure I understand the first one. Are you saying psychology says people cannot fight addiction? Or am I just too tired to make sense of what I read at the moment?

Well, basically, from what I gathered, psychology teaches that an addict can NEVER be truly free. Basically, after one addiction, the person may find another addiction; that there's a risk of relapse (which WOULD label everyone an addict, even the non-addict ones, it's wibbly wobbly timey wimey to me). Not sure if it's a myth or what, but I think it's because they believe addiction is a disease rather than an overly strong emotional response.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

Hmm. Yea, that sounds very strange.

 

[BeyondET]

Well, basically, from what I gathered, psychology teaches that an addict can NEVER be truly free. Basically, after one addiction, the person may find another addiction; that there's a risk of relapse (which WOULD label everyone an addict, even the non-addict ones, it's wibbly wobbly timey wimey to me). Not sure if it's a myth or what, but I think it's because they believe addiction is a disease rather than an overly strong emotional response.

I agree most things you say, though a addiction can be more than a emotional response, some drug addictions people can die from the withdraws from these very powerful drugs, The physical withdraws can overwhelm the body, babies being born addicted to drugs basically after birth the infants go through withdraws of not having the drugs that's in the mothers blood system.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

I agree most things you say, though a addiction can be more than a emotional response, some drug addictions people can die from the withdraws from these very powerful drugs, The physical withdraws can overwhelm the body, babies being born addicted to drugs basically after birth the infants go through withdraws of not having the drugs that's in the mothers blood system.

Yeah, it is definitely more than just psychological, but I still find it strange if scientist claim one can never beat addiction

 

[BeyondET]

Yeah, it is definitely more than just psychological, but I still find it strange if scientist claim one can never beat addiction

Yes your right about that it is strange but of coarse the mindset of the scientist who claim that are of earthy thinking and not of spiritual understanding. Though God works in mysterious ways, surely there has been addicts who never even thought of the bible or God, who goes to a AA or NA meeting for help with his or her addictions and has a spiritual awakening and becomes a believer. God plants seeds all over the place in hopes a lost sheep may come to nibble on its fruit thus He carries that lost sheep home.

 

[torus]

My college best fiend was already a pastor when he took up Psychology as his major. I can say he believes addicts can be changed by Jesus. I think it is up to the individual to choose what he believes. We know we cannot believe all we are taught in school or anywhere else. If anything contradicts the Bible, then the Bible is the authority to follow. No argument, no compromise. God is sovereign, though we are imperfect.