How John Calvin Led Me to Repent of Christian Psychology

the-highway.com ^ | 1998 | Steven J. Cole

[Wallace T.]

The author gives as good a view of the Christian anti-psychology position as any written by that camp. However, he is critical of virtually every major figure in the contemporary evangelical church, Reformed or not, with the exception of John MacArthur, for their support of Christian psychology. Opposition to most psychological practices can be found outside Christian circles as well: Thomas Szasz, for example.

The brain is an organism that can suffer from injuries, disorders, and other malfunctions. While alcohol and drug dependence and other self-abusing behaviors may be initiated by a person's free will, the long term effects of such substances and behavior may destroy a person's volitional capacity. As a result, psychiatric drugs and behavior modification programs (like the 12 Step Programs) serve useful purposes in addressing problems. A person who needs an anti-depressant to function or is impaired due to drug or alcohol problems is likely not to hear the Gospel message any more than a deaf or unconscious person. Not even a separationist, fundamentalist Baptist or a "double predestination" Calvinist would oppose obtaining a hearing aid or reviving an unconscious person. The use of medication or behavior modification would fall into the same category.

The opponents of Christian psychology would do well to develop an alternative that would incorporate what has been proven to be sound practices in the treatment of mental disorders.

[visually_augmented]

Well, sadly, you have missed the point. When the author uses the term "Psychology", he is implying the popular use of the term and how it is practiced in the western world today. Obviously he is not proposing that the "study of the mind" is evil.

It is akin to saying nuclear weapons are evil. Obviously nuclear weapons are merely an object and are inherently neutral. Psychology as a concept is not evil - it is the popular practice of psychology which does not align with scripture.

Defining psychology as you have below is like calling pornography "love-making":

xzins: "It involves the functioning and biology of the brain and goes from there to an attempt to understand how individual behavior is affected by that mind. It's really no different than understanding how the function (or malfunction) of the heart has certain physiological responses.)"

[ksen]

He said: My pastor holds the view the Psychology only exists to help us deal with the GUILT of our sin and not the sin itself.

I do believe there is a difference between psychology and psychiatry. One is a medical science and the other is not.

[eklekton]

"So tell me ksen. When I went into a deep depression following my round with cancer, just exactly what sin did I need to deal with?"

With all due respect, if your depression was indeed sin and not medically induced, I'd like to suggest the possibility of it being the sin of unthankfulness. I am persuaded that unthankfulness is the key ingredient behind all depression. Repentence and thankfulness to God are the true remedies. I know it's a hard pill to swallow when dealing with a crisis such as cancer, but even then, a grateful heart inclined to rest in the Providence of God will vanquish depression.

[Corin Stormhands]

Well, thank you for that judgment.

[Corin Stormhands]

Well, if it helps any, I got a "C" in psychology at a Christian college...

[ksen]

I didn't do too well in high school psychology either........but I do remember reading about an experiment where they cut the connection between the two halves of the brain of a live cat. They then covered one eye and trained it to do a trick. After it had been trained the uncovered the eye and covered the other one. They had to retrain the cat to do the same trick.

I'm still not too sure what good that was..........but that's probably why I got a "C." ;^)

[Corin Stormhands]

........but I do remember reading about an experiment where they cut the connection between the two halves of the brain of a live cat.

I have a foster care story about the judge not giving us custody of a family of kids...until we told him about the day the CPS worker showed up and the kids were playing with the cat...on two different sides of the yard.

But perhaps that belongs on another thread.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“All truth is God’s truth.”


But not all "truth" is true.

[connectthedots]

A "low self esteem' is quite different from clinical depression. The main problem in our culture isn't a low self esteem, but rather a high self esteem.

You no nothing about the roots of clinical depression. Aside from physical roots of clinical depression, such as a serious illness or injury; the roots of clinical depression are generally either an unwarranted sense of guilt that one is not good enough or narcissism.

You might want to get the Minerth and Maier books "Happiness is a Choice" and 'Love is a Choice" for a very Christian look at psychiatry.

[eklekton]

"Well, thank you for that judgment."

You expressed your curiosity about the possibility of your depression being sin. I merely offered food for thought. If you are experiencing judgment, perhaps an examination of conscience is in order. Certainly, no offense was intended on my part. I'm no more immune to the sin of unthankfulness than you are.

[xzins]

I am so glad to see your take on what I wrote. Thank you.

I think I said that psychology has a definition, and that it isn't all that terrible.

Isn't it amazing how two people can differ on what one person said?

[xzins]

Actually, I don't really need to.

1. It's a dumb title that deserves reaction.
2. I've got a background in the subject matter.

[Corin Stormhands]

You expressed your curiosity about the possibility of your depression being sin.

No, I didn't. The question was rhetorical. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

ksen knows me well enough to have caught that.

[fishtank]

bflr

[Lexinom]

If you're in a miserable marriage, you've tried EVERYTHING with this same contempt for psychology standing santimoniously on Calvin, your youth is running out, you don't see yourself ever enjoying the things every couple around you seems to take for granted, it's worth a try. Call it desperation.

Calvinists can be extremely rigid and "just so". I'm sorry. I would like to enjoy the things in marriage that others enjoy. I don't want to live in misery.

[eklekton]

"No, I didn't. The question was rhetorical. Sorry if that wasn't clear. ksen knows me well enough to have caught that."

Actually, it appeared to me that your question contained an element of cynicism. I know you well enough to have caught that.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I do believe there is a difference between psychology and psychiatry. One is a medical science and the other is not.

Yep.

Anyone considering seeing a "pyschologist" should ask the prospective therapist what they think of Carl Jung.

Ninety-nine percent will no doubt speak of him favorably. This narrows down your choice considerably to the remaining one percent.

I recommend the excellent book, "Aryan Christ: The Secret Life of Carl Jung" by Richard Noll, for a look into the dark and misdirected roots of "psychology."

[Rhadaghast]

No I must disagree. Psychology, is the study of the soul, mind. Psychiatry is the study of the combined actions of behavior and well-being, as well as the structure of the brain. i.e. Psychology practically is the study of human behavior. Psychiatry is the study of the effects of pharmaceuticals on human behavior. So the study of Christian psychology is the combination of human understanding of human behavior and the Christian label. Because just as certain groups have abdicated the authority of scripture on the study of the physical world, the 'Christian' psychology proponents are also abdicating the authority of scripture on human behavior.

[xzins]

I know you're not suggesting that modern psychology bypasses the brain?