Psychology: Science or Religion?

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Chan

I know that was your point but your point is inaccurate because psychology is not mere unbiased study of human behavior, nature, etc., it has its basis in worldly philosophies or world views.

I understand that but it's still basically the study of human nature, human behavior ..... why people act like they do.

Yes, and I said that Solomon's wisdom came from God. However, it came from God supernaturally and not as mere innate ability. We agree that it did not come from psychology and, thus, we must make sure to separate what comes from God and what comes from the world.

I didn't say it came from mere innate ability. I said it came basically from God!

Yes, but not through psychology or other worldly philosophies.

You're just repeating what I said. LOL.

[Trouvere]

If the gifts are allowed to operate in the church less counseling is needed.
I don't care for personality studies.People come to God and change.They
get healed,they repent etc.More times than any deliverance is needed than
counseling.The problem with people is they want Rome built in a day.They
want instant mashed potatoes rather than the good old fashioned homemade
kind that take time and effort.It takes Jesus to fix a broken heart and save a lost soul.I don't discredit anyones efforts but I would rather skip the psychological approach when dealing with souls.

[Felicity]

Actually the point I was really trying to make is ........

We don't need to study "psychology" in order to understand human nature and what makes people tick. This knowledge can be learned through experience, observation, the Word of God and the Spirit of God as He shares His wisdom and knowledge with us.

God bless you!

Originally Posted by Felicity

I understand that but it's still basically the study of human nature, human behavior ..... why people act like they do.

But that is the deception of psychology: they want us to believe that it is just "basically the study of human nature, human behavior....why people act like they do" but that really is not the case. Rather, it is the an attempt to put forth worldly philosophies as truth.

I didn't say it came from mere innate ability. I said it came basically from God!

No, it didn't come "basically" from God (as if there was some part of it that maybe didn't), it DID come from God. However, there is a difference between God giving someone innate ability (what we might call "talent") and God doing something utterly supernatural as He did in Solomon's case.

You're just repeating what I said. LOL.

Repeated for emphasis.

Originally Posted by Felicity

Actually the point I was really trying to make is ........

We don't need to study "psychology" in order to understand human nature and what makes people tick. This knowledge can be learned through experience, observation, the Word of God and the Spirit of God as He shares His wisdom and knowledge with us.

God bless you!

Thanks for making that clear. Of course, I would take it even further and say that not only do we not need to study psychology, we should consider that worldly philosophy part of that enemy of God that John called "the world" when he said "love not the world..."

In another thread, a certain individual was trying to present her worldly philosophy/false religion (psychology) as truth. I provided what I believe are scriptural challenges to what she was saying. Naturally, I was accused of trying to shut the individual's thread down (which I have no desire to do). This post is not about the individual but about the worldly philosophy/false religion of which she is a practitioner. I want to make it clear that I have no animus toward this particular individual - toward her worldly philosophy/false religion, yes but not toward her as a person or, more important, as a sister in Christ. Below is the post in question and my response to it.

Originally Posted by (Name withheld)
Dear Wondering,

Here are some things that may help you to understand the nature of co-dependency:

Co-Dependency Characteristics:
The primary identifying factor of co-dependency is the fact that the person/individual tends to take care of everyone around them in regards to; feelings, actions, words, everything to the neglect of themselves. The person who is co-dependent is a reactive individual who neglects to take action for him/her self.

The co-dependent person is characterized by having a dysfunctional relationship with others as well as themselves. They tend to live through others instead of for him or herself. Many times they are controlling and will blame others instead of taking responsibility for themselves and live in a state of 'Victimization' while trying to fix others. They generally will exhibit intense anxiety when it comes to intimacy issues.

*always having to take care of others at the expense of your own self
*Unable to trust your own feelings
*depression
*isolation
*Workaholism
*perfectionism
*no clear boundaries
*low self-esteem - seeks the approval in others

__________________________________________________ ________

Co-dependency is quite common in those who come from dysfunctional homes, as well as those who's parents were alcoholics and/or addicts.

To be continued...

My response (admittedly, my use of the phrase "wicked worldly philosophy" may be interpreted as harsh; however, all worldly philosophies are wicked simply because they are of the world and not of God):

At some point, though, living for oneself becomes pride and selfishness or, to use the language of that wicked worldly philosophy of psychology, narcissism.

Now, let's look at this list you presented (my responses are in blue):

*always having to take care of others at the expense of your own self - the Bible tells us to do exactly this in the last part of Philippians 2:3, "but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

*Unable to trust your own feelings - Jeremiah 17:9 (ASV) tells us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?" When we talk about feelings, we're talking about this thing called "the heart."

*depression - depression is another way for someone to focus on himself and, thus, is the sin of pride.

*isolation - There are two ways of looking at this: 1) the scripture that says "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV) and; 2) the scripture that says "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).

*Workaholism - A form of bondage and/or idolatry.

*perfectionism - "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48 KJV).

*no clear boundaries - "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Ephesians 4:14 KJV). "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8 KJV).

*low self-esteem - seeks the approval in others - self-esteem is the sin of pride. Psychology tells us "self-esteem" but the Bible tells us "esteem others."

I'm not so sure that this "co-dependency" is really all that different from a person trying to control the people and circumstances around him.

There is no place for worldy philosophies and false religion in the Church. Psychology has deceived people (including Christians) into thinking it is the sole arbiter of things pertaining to the mind and soul of humans - much the way "science" has deceived people into thinking it is the sole arbiter of knowledge and that nothing is true if science cannot prove it. What was once the sin-sick soul "treated" by the Church has become "mental illness" treated with psychotherapy and/or medication.

Psychology is a cult and its practitioners are preaching a false gospel.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Chan

So, why would you defile the temple of God by bringing such falsehoods into the Church?

It is your opinion about "defiling" God's temples. I said that there are things that borderline New Age. I don't adhere to those things. I really don't adhere to psychology, but I have studied enough of it to see its benefits and pit falls.

Originally Posted by Chan

Worldly philosophies have no place whatsoever in the Church.

I agree. We may disagree as to what those are.

Originally Posted by Chan

There is nothing helpful about wicked worldly philosophies. Such philosophies are part of what John referred to as "the world" when he said in his first epistle "love not the world..."

I agree, which is why I won't subscribe to the wicked, worldly philosophies. I can take the meat the throw away the bones. Everyone does. So do you. You are well versed in church history and other areas which are not found in the Bible. Yet, they have something to teach us and are not contrary to scripture.

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

It is your opinion about "defiling" God's temples. I said that there are things that borderline New Age. I don't adhere to those things. I really don't adhere to psychology, but I have studied enough of it to see its benefits and pit falls.

But that's just it, there is nothing in psychology - or any worldly philosophy - that can ever be of benefit to the Church. Wordly philosophies are part of what is meant by the world being one of our enemies.

I agree. We may disagree as to what those are.

A worldly philosophy is any philosophy that is derived not from God's word but, instead, from mere human ideas. Think of it as that which Paul referred to as worldly wisdom.

I agree, which is why I won't subscribe to the wicked, worldly philosophies. I can take the meat the throw away the bones. Everyone does. So do you. You are well versed in church history and other areas which are not found in the Bible. Yet, they have something to teach us and are not contrary to scripture.

All worldly philosophies are wicked simply because they are of the world. History is not a philosophy, it is a mere regurgitation of past events. There is nothing that any worldly philosophy can ever teach the people of God.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Chan

But that's just it, there is nothing in psychology - or any worldly philosophy - that can ever be of benefit to the Church. Wordly philosophies are part of what is meant by the world being one of our enemies.

That is your opinion and I disagree with it.

Originally Posted by Chan

A worldly philosophy is any philosophy that is derived not from God's word but, instead, from mere human ideas. Think of it as that which Paul referred to as worldly wisdom.

That is your opinion and I disagree with it.

Originally Posted by Chan

All worldly philosophies are wicked simply because they are of the world. History is not a philosophy, it is a mere regurgitation of past events. There is nothing that any worldly philosophy can ever teach the people of God.

Once again, that is your opinion and I disagree with it.

You thinking reminds of the Greeks who thought that EVERYTHING that was not of the Spirit was evil.

Psychology in any particular facet is not a horrid thing. Understanding human or animal behavior will cause no harm; however, the use of said understanding, or the applied perception thereof, could very well be. As long one remains within Biblical boundaries concerning any given understanding of psychology, what harm could come of it?