Psychobabble
I love people. I love to study them. To try to figure out what makes them tick. You’d think that tendency would make me a naturally merciful person, but no. It hasn’t. I work at mercy. And God has worked on me in that area. He has given me a son (DS15) who is shockingly sensitive to my moods and to when I need a hug, and He has put me through some hard times where I desperately needed to have others show mercy to me.
So, back to loving people. I would have majored in psychology at Furman. I really wanted to. And then I took the intro class. Made my first “D” ever. I thought my dad would kill me. I have to say, I find it very silly to have multiple choice tests for a psych class. They should’ve had us express ourselves, right?
I know psychology is a “no-no” in many Christian circles. I totally believe that the Bible is sufficient for everything we need. But I also know that there are a lot of chemists out there who truly believe the Bible in its entirety and who will tell you that they did not happen to learn their chemistry elements by studying Genesis. It isn’t that the Bible is insufficient, it just doesn’t address that particularly. Chemists can know that God is creative, orderly, sustaining, etc. They can gain that from the Bible and see those truths come alive as they study chemistry. I think psychology is similar. Christian psychologists can know that God is perfect and man is sinful. They can know that God created all of us as individuals. And they can see those truths also come alive as they study psychology and as they study people!
I, for one, am thankful that there are Christians out there who have studied psychology. I have had my life helped and enriched through at least one Christian psychiatrist, and several Christian counselers, both in a professional sense, and just through friendship and them using their training in everyday life.
So, what’s your take on Christian psychology. Is it helpful? Is it just plain wrong? Speak out!
November 9th, 2005 at 9:45 am
I have to agree with you on this one (as I usually agree with you on pretty much everything). I believe that God gives each of us, His creations, certain talents and abilities that we are to use, first and foremost, for His glory and also to make this world a better place for others and ourselves. Some people have artistic abililities, others excel in the sciences and still others are excellent communicators (and that doesn’t even break the surface of potential gifts we are given). Then, there are those that have learned and/or have the innate ability to understand the human psyche and what makes people “tick.” To me, psycholgists, psychiatrists, and counselors are the “medical professionals of the mind” (regardless of whether or not they actually have a medical degree). Just like we need physicians to take care of our bodies, I think we need people who can help us care for our minds if the need arises. Like you, I have benefitted greatly from the compassion and wisdom of counselors and others who have the knowledge and ability to look “inside” of me and help me deal with “issues” that I have. As will always happen in this fallen world, there are people who will misuse this gift or will approach it in a way that I don’t agree with morally or ethically. But, I like to think that many people in this profession (and I guess I’m focusing more on the counseling area of psychology) have chosen this career because they truly desire to help people and make their lives better–whether or not they are also approaching it as Christ followers. I think it’s a good thing to try to learn more about ourselves and try to understand why we are the way we are. But, more importantly, as Christians I think we need to use this information to draw us closer to God and to use it for good and not for evil. I guess I have spoken. [smile]
November 9th, 2005 at 11:20 am
Great questions. It is amazing how I have evolved on this issue.
A few years ago we had a couples retreat with a guy names Eric Johnson.
(http://www.sbts.edu/academics/theology/faculty/JohnsonEric.php?id=current)
Eric is a professor at Southern Seminary and has one of the most balance
perspectives on this issue that I have ever seen. He is the editor of the
book Pyschology and Christianity: 4 views. He agrees that there is
much in modern psychology that is dangerous. But he thinks there is
a whole lot that is helpful, too, and that we shouldn’t throw the baby
out with the bathwater.
For the record, he DOES think MOST “Christian Psychologists” are TOO
influenced by modern research and have generally lost touch with
Sola Scriptura. Nevertheless, he LOVES psychology. It is the passion
of his life. And he thinks that it has MUCH to offer mankind.
Seth
November 10th, 2005 at 2:24 pm
I still think you should have majored in psychology. And I don’t think it is necessary for a goofd psychologist or psychoanalyst to be a Christian. When were you undergoing psychotherapy? Is that one of your many secrets that I’m just learning about thru your blogs???
November 10th, 2005 at 2:31 pm
Mother dear,
Scott and I had marriage counselling at one point, and DS15 has been seen by a psychiatrist. At one point, our entire family went in for a “family session.” All of those were helpful to us.
I didn’t mean it to sound like I was saying any psychiatrist should be a Christian, but there is some debate in Christian circles about whether or not psychology is valid. I was trying to show that I do believe that psychology can help even those in Christian circles!
November 11th, 2005 at 4:28 am
“All truth is God’s truth” and you have to pay attention (and know it to begin with) to recognize it…it crops up at the darndest places…but so did Jesus when He was here! (Sleepless night..reading blogs at 3:00 am…Happy Friday!) Jan