Have churches become too reliant on recovery programs and psychology/psychiatry?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Katia

Active member
Aug 29, 2021
493
219
43
PDX
#21
May I ask what you mean? How could they have been more helpful?

I ask because this seems to be the crux of the matter. I experienced something similar when I was younger in the 80s. Pop psychology hadn't infiltrated the church to the extent it now has, but counselors and psychology were still the order of the day if someone had an "unusual" problem the church didn't know how to deal with, or didn't want to deal with.

It seems like what we have is a form of godliness that has denied its power.
I don't have answers and don't feel comfortable in discussing my specific issues. Along with being a Christian, I spent time in College studying Psychology and reading the DSM 4 and 5. Some of the answers of the Psychological Community are sadly painful. The Religious have been punitive and unkind to many about their problems. It is why I study the Bible and pray but would not feel comfortable in most churches.
 

Katia

Active member
Aug 29, 2021
493
219
43
PDX
#22
Simply put, when we peel the Layers back from the Trapped Mind and find the originating Issue contact point, aren't we Ultimately discovering an Act against that stems from an unthinkable SIN? And that One Single Sin can lead to Multiple Layers of trying to cover it up keeping it away from your memory. and to Guide those Multiple Layers of reason/hate/denial/guilt/anger are forms of DEMONS that are Oppressing that One single Memory into becoming the Sole Key to why a person Stops being WHO they are supposed to be.

Demonic Oppression is Real!
Have you ever encountered an Intersex person? How did you treat them? We'd like to thin, that people are strictly male or female but that is not true.
 
Jun 9, 2021
1,871
425
83
#23
Have you ever encountered an Intersex person? How did you treat them? We'd like to thin, that people are strictly male or female but that is not true.
I firmly believe, due to a WORLD where it is Polluted and has been infecting Humanity since becoming Environmentally unsafe, that abnormalities have crept into many of the fetus developing factors. I also believe should a child be born with both sexual parts female/male, the Doctor should not play God and choose if that infant is a Male or Female. They should let that child grow to be about 4 or 5 and can tell naturally then and surgically repair and be like it never happened.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,804
7,785
113
#24
"It seems like what we have is a form of godliness that has denied its power."
Just as Jesus clearly said would be our state in these last of the last days.

He is still willing and able to heal any and all, if we are not experiencing Him and His healing, the problem is not on His end, He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
what we often think of as 'the church" is not the first century example, going to a place to hear someone talk about Him is not experiencing God, we must be in relationship, in His presence is His power, we must seek His presence and then we can experience His power.
blessings
 
Aug 20, 2021
1,863
310
83
#25
Have you ever encountered an Intersex person? How did you treat them? We'd like to thin, that people are strictly male or female but that is not true.
their unisex demons. Its demon rationalization nobody wants 2 be condemned
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,312
3,618
113
#26
It is far too late to ask such questions. Humanistic ideas and methods crept into the churches a long time ago. And they will continue to influence them.
What do you mean "It's far too late?" Should we just throw up our hands and say, oh well? What if Martin Luther King had said, "It's too late. Racism is too prevalent. Might as well accept it." Is that what you mean by it's too late?
 
Jun 9, 2021
1,871
425
83
#27
Have you ever encountered an Intersex person? How did you treat them? We'd like to thin, that people are strictly male or female but that is not true.
You really probably were supposed to be a Twin. And in the developing stages, you were able to gain the majority of needed nutrients, including taking away from your Twin like added Reproductive Organs.
 
Aug 20, 2021
1,863
310
83
#28
What do you mean "It's far too late?" Should we just throw up our hands and say, oh well? What if Martin Luther King had said, "It's too late. Racism is too prevalent. Might as well accept it." Is that what you mean by it's too late?
Maybe he means the great falling away that must happen before the anti-Christ guy
 

Katia

Active member
Aug 29, 2021
493
219
43
PDX
#29
I firmly believe, due to a WORLD where it is Polluted and has been infecting Humanity since becoming Environmentally unsafe, that abnormalities have crept into many of the fetus developing factors. I also believe should a child be born with both sexual parts female/male, the Doctor should not play God and choose if that infant is a Male or Female. They should let that child grow to be about 4 or 5 and can tell naturally then and surgically repair and be like it never happened.
Yes, in a perfect world that can happen. Sometimes these folk are left sterile and sexless. And, at times the brain is so confused about identity. I've seen this and it is painful and sad.
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,843
1,636
113
#30
Since Faith happens in the Mind, have any of those labelled as being psychological disordered in your experience, actually were Demonically Oppressed?

When we think of Multiple Personality Disorder, when someone can flip on the switch to a new identity been actually Demonically Oppressed/Possessed?

If Medications [Never] fix those suffering, or if Therapists [Never] lead anyone to 100% full recovery, but we know God CAN Heal them, aren't many of them actually suffering from Demonic Oppression?

I am not discussing Environmental Issues that can be harmful to a developing fetus either...
I worked in non-Christian settings but I was always aware of the reality of spiritual influence. Medication, given correctly and with God retained in one's knowledge, can actually be helpful to give the mind a rest from stress. Stress often manifests as depression or anxiety. It is also important to ensure the believing patient understands they are not "a problem" in and of themselves.

I have dealt with the demonic directly in sessions, however. Psychology/Psychiatry has nothing to offer for that work.
 
Jun 9, 2021
1,871
425
83
#32
Yes, in a perfect world that can happen. Sometimes these folk are left sterile and sexless. And, at times the brain is so confused about identity. I've seen this and it is painful and sad.
Agreed!
A Doctors ego can be to a beginning human life worst obstacle it ever faces.
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,843
1,636
113
#33
I should take my questions their own thread so I don't derail this discussion. My apologies, ResidentAlien.
 
Aug 20, 2021
1,863
310
83
#34
Educate yourself for goodness sake!
perhaps it's the way i organize the information in my mind,Thus leading to false assumptions.I'll remind myself that there is only one that gives understanding that is the Christ.
 
Aug 20, 2021
1,863
310
83
#35
Agreed!
A Doctors ego can be to a beginning human life worst obstacle it ever faces.
It is a perfect world, but does not seem that way 2 r puny mortal minds
 

Katia

Active member
Aug 29, 2021
493
219
43
PDX
#36
I worked in non-Christian settings but I was always aware of the reality of spiritual influence. Medication, given correctly and with God retained in one's knowledge, can actually be helpful to give the mind a rest from stress. Stress often manifests as depression or anxiety. It is also important to ensure the believing patient understands they are not "a problem" in and of themselves.

I have dealt with the demonic directly in sessions, however. Psychology/Psychiatry has nothing to offer for that work.
Certain organizations are quite medication oriented to the point that I think it becomes destructive. Some combinations of drugs can exacerbate Depression, and Gender issues. Drugs are often not the best remedy. Sometimes reaching into our past and following the words of Jesus the Christ in giving forgiveness is better.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#37
In the Christian News forum there's a recent thread about the wife of a pastor of a California megachurch who committed suicide. A link in the thread leads to an article which states: "Hilken had taken her life after suffering from mental health troubles."

I don't want to make light of the tragedy of this situation or the pain it has caused all those involved; however, it does make me think about how reliant the church has become on mental health professionals and recovery programs. I realize there may be situations where a person needs professional help, but is depression one of them? It seems to me, depression is an problem that the love of Christ was tailor-made for.

If Jesus came that we might have life, and that more abundantly, why the need for all kinds of human programs when we already have "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes"? (Romans 1:16)

Should churches continue to be reliant on these humanistic methods or should it start to detach?
I dont know if THAT particular church has this problem...

but if it does, then they really need to rethink how they approach mental health...because deliverance is something Jesus offers every believer.

Many churces shy away from deliverance because they dont know how to administer it. They put in the 'too hard basket' and fail at casting out demons.

People also dont realise sometimes depression can have a cause thats totally physical...eg if you had dentistry and theres mercury and amalagam in your teeth...that is going to affect your mood. You must have it removed. i.e cast it out.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#38
The mercury..not your teeth. Its poison.
 
Aug 20, 2021
1,863
310
83
#39
Certain organizations are quite medication oriented to the point that I think it becomes destructive. Some combinations of drugs can exacerbate Depression, and Gender issues. Drugs are often not the best remedy. Sometimes reaching into our past and following the words of Jesus the Christ in giving forgiveness is better.
Sometimes?
 

Katia

Active member
Aug 29, 2021
493
219
43
PDX
#40
I dont know if THAT particular church has this problem...

but if it does, then they really need to rethink how they approach mental health...because deliverance is something Jesus offers every believer.

Many churces shy away from deliverance because they dont know how to administer it. They put in the 'too hard basket' and fail at casting out demons.

People also dont realise sometimes depression can have a cause thats totally physical...eg if you had dentistry and theres mercury and amalagam in your teeth...that is going to affect your mood. You must have it removed. i.e cast it out.
Just my opinion here: Often we need to listen to people express their pain and try to be compassionate. Just shoving them away and saying Jesus will fix it is so cold and uncaring.