Are therapy and Christianity friends or foes? My answer to this question will liberate some; leave others unsatisfied; and anger others. This is my answer because it comes from my struggle with the question. I remember a pastor who was pursuing a degree in psychology who talked about how hard it was to reconcile Christian faith with modern psychology. I remember my struggle as a pastor when my limitations "forced" me to refer someone to a psychologist. But my struggle went deeper than this.
I visited the Rockland Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey around 1975, as part of a brigade of Salvation Army Cadets (students). We were permitted to do a Christian service on the first ward we visited, and I gave the message. As I preached one young man, seated on the floor, bounced up and down. His facial features seemed fluid, as if in a constant state of change. I wondered how even the good news of Jesus Christ could help him if he could not understand the message. I also wondered if anyone, church or doctor, knew the difference between psychiatric illness and demon possession. We talked with the patients on the second ward we visited. Some stared into space oblivious to our presence; some carried on a conversation with themselves; and one woman marched naked in a circle in a room next door. We visited on a third ward where patients lay on the floor in strait jackets with looks of anguish or emptiness which I cannot describe. I left Rockland feeling that the church and the hospital had failed these people.
My first pastorate in 1976, was in a city where the state psychiatric facility was de-institutionalizing its patients, which meant they were dumping them on the streets. These poor souls often ended up asking The Salvation Army for help because there was no place else to go. The membership of the Corps (church) also had an unusually high percentage of persons who had received treatment for mental illness. One in particular was constantly in and out of the state facility. The first time I visited her the psychiatrist warned me not to quote the Bible as she would turn it against herself. However, being a "wise" young pastor I quoted the most positive encouraging verses I could find, which she immediately used against herself. A begrudging, cautious, and healthy respect for the wisdom of psychology became part of my mind and faith on that day.
Then, in 1991, when my counselor told me I needed to check myself into a psychiatric facility, Rockland was all I remembered --- Rockland, and a fear from sometime in my late childhood or early adult years. The fear that if admitted to a psychiatric hospital I would never come out. I asked my counselor if I would be able to sign myself out and he said he didn't know. Then I stated that I would go as long as my wife had the power to sign me out. Jesus Christ had truly transformed my life when I received Him as my Savior and Lord, but now I had to admit that something was wrong, and I needed psychological help. A large part of my healing journey consisted in answering the question, "Christianity and therapy, friends or foes?" This article shares the answers that journey brought me to.
Good Science (Psychology) and Good Faith (Christianity) Are In Agreement. We do Psychology and Christianity an injustice if we make their aberrations and failures the rule by which we judge all psychology and faith. What is the essence of psychology? What is the essence of Christianity? Are they friends when they are true to their own teachings, or are they foes when they are true to their own teachings? There are Christians whose faith and practice violates the teachings of Scripture, and psychologists, not necessarily Christian, whose theories and practice are consistent with Scripture. Good science is based on unbiased observation, or at least observation which recognizes existing bias and attempts to keep it from influencing perception. The book of Proverbs is a compilation of sayings based on the preachers observations of man, nature, and God. When science is true to itself, its observations will always be consistent with Scripture, and when faith is true to itself, its teachings will always be consistent with natural laws and order. Good science and good faith are always in agreement. They cannot be true to themselves and contradict each other. Psychology and Christianity sometimes behave as jealous siblings competing for Dad's position of authority, and trying to prove that, "Mom loves me best." This is sad as both have something to offer and to learn from the other, and before an unhealthy pride takes exception to this statement remember that God taught the prophet Balaam through an ass.
The Founders of Modern Psychology Were Often Openly Hostile to Christianity and Some of Their Conclusions (Theories) Are Foes To Faith. I am not commenting here on who started the disagreement or why it began. I am simply stating that the fundamental theories of psychology are sometimes in disagreement with the fundamental teachings of the Christian faith. The following quotes are taken from Freud's New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis1:
The bare fact is that truth cannot be tolerant and cannot admit compromise or limitations, that scientific research looks on the whole field of human activity as its own, and must adopt an uncompromisingly critical attitude towards any other power that seeks to usurp any part of its province. Of the three forces which can dispute the position of science, religion alone is a really serious enemy. (219)
The scientific spirit, strengthened by the observation of natural processes, began in the course of time to treat religion as a human matter, and to subject it to a critical examination. This test it failed to pass. (227)
...psycho-analysis...has traced the origin of religion to the helplessness of childhood, and its content to the persistence of the wishes and needs of childhood into maturity. (229, 230)
The question may now be asked why religion doe not put an end to this losing fight by openly declaring: 'It is a fact that I cannot give you what men commonly call truth; to obtain that you must go to science. 235
The following quotes are taken from, "The Essential Jung"2and "Collected Works Vol. 10"
Christ himself is the typical dying and self-transforming God (Archetype)...To gain an understanding of religious matters, probably all that is left us today is the psychological approach" (Essential 248)
...that megalomania of ours which leads us to suppose, among other things, that Christianity is the only truth and the white Christ the only redeemer. (Collected 89)
Humility is a not inconsiderable virtue which should prompt Christians, for the sake of charity, the greatest of all virtues, to set a good example and acknowledge that though there is only one truth it speaks in many tongues, and that if we still cannot see this it is simple due to lack of understanding. (410)
I believe that good science and good faith also transcend theoretical allegiances. The remainder of this article will present those fundamental areas where science and faith are in agreement, and argue that good science and good faith are friends not foes. I will quote from the Bible to define good faith, and from Kottler to define good therapy.
Good Psychology and Good Faith Share The Following Fundamental Beliefs and Practices.
THE BASIS FOR ALL GOOD THERAPY AND ALL GOOD FAITH
Psychotherapy was born at precisely the time in human history when our tribes were disbanded, its members scattered across the globe. No longer do most people live where they were born, surrounded by their extended families and those who have been interconnected to their heritage. With these bonds disintegrated, with people separated from their kin, with families and tribes broken up through recent 'inventions' of divorce, job relocation, and transportation that makes migration so easy, many, if not most people, hunger for closer affiliations to others. (Kottler Page 51) The basis for all therapy is the establishment of a relationship that satisfies the client's need for nurturance, affiliation, and closeness to another. This is true not only for traditional individual psychotherapy but for the innumerable derivatives that evolved into various support groups. (Kottler Page 51)I Chronicles 12:32 speaks of men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Matthew 7:28,29 says of Jesus, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the teachers of the law.
GOOD THERAPY AND GOOD FAITH GIVE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
No matter what the client shares, what he has done, what he thinks or feels, he will still see the same impassive, all-knowing, all-loving face communicating total (or near total) acceptance...it is highly desirable and generally helpful to listen with an open mind, to suspend judgment and criticism, and if not to unconditionally accept everything about the client, then at least to accept him or her unconditionally as a person, even if we may only conditionally accept certain aspects of the client's behavior." (Kottler Page 56)Romans 5:8 God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jude 22,23 Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear, hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Effective therapy moves at the pace of the client, not the clinician. Effective therapists are able to demonstrate a level of patience that supersedes their own needs to see observable progress. (Kottler Page 90)I Thessalonians. 5:14 Be patient with everyone.
It is ...a common strategy of most practitioners to encourage clients to tell their stories about how they got themselves into their present predicament. As a primary or secondary component of this process, clients are also stimulated to share their thoughts and feelings about what has occurred. and as a result, several things are likely to happen: (1) they experience emotional arousal, (2) they become aware of thoughts and feelings that were previously buried, (3) they feel better as a result of releasing tension, (4) if they are permitted to tell their story without detecting critical judgment in the listener, (5) they feel less shame and more self-acceptance about what transpired, and (6) they feel closer to the person they have confided in. (Kottler Page 53)James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
People change when they are ready to assume responsibility for their lives, their choices, their behavior. They quite simply decide to be different. To decide means to commit oneself to an action and to carry it out...Some patients say, 'yes, I know what is to be done now. Thank you for helping me see the alternatives more clearly. I want to straighten out this mess, quit hurting myself and other people. I'll do it.' (Kottler Page 57, 187)John 3:3 I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.
2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation.
GOOD THERAPY AND GOOD FAITH GIVE HOPE
Perhaps more than any other single thing that we do that is helpful to clients, is that we believe in them and we believe in ourselves. We believe in the process of therapy. We are in the business of instilling hope. (Kottler Page 57, 187)Romans 15:4 Everything that was written in the past was written to each of us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Whatever particular style or approach is employed, the therapist must be successful in securing the client's commitment to follow through with the therapy process. (Kottler Page 144)Deuteronomy. 30:19 Choose life that you may live.
1. Affective Experiencing (Identification, Clarification, and Expression of Feelings)
Some parts of the Christian Church are so hostile to affective experiencing, that it is necessary for me to state that the entire Bible by example encourages affective experiencing. The poetic books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastics, and Song of Solomon particularly show men, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, working through their feelings and expressing them to God. Jesus, the perfect man, rejoiced, and wept, expressed anger and compassion, friendship and loneliness, etc. He did not hide His feelings. He expressed them and the Bible identifies them. Having said that I reluctantly offer two texts that demonstrate that good faith encourages affective experiencing --- not denial and suppression of emotion.
I Thessalonians.5:23 May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless....
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.2. Cognitive Mastery
Romans 12:2 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Phillip. 4:8 Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.3. Behavorial Regulation
Gal. 5:16, 19 So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature...The acts of the sinful nature are obvious.
THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGIES RESPONSE TO CHRISTIANITY
Faith and Science Are Student and Teacher To Each Other:. By revelation good faith is a teacher to psychology, and by observation good science is a teacher to faith. Faith and Science Are Friends and Foes: By practice good faith and good science are friends, but in bad theory and bad theology they are sometimes foes.
I believe that one of the most effective psychologists of our times is Doctor James Dobson. Doctor Dobson has touched countless families through His ministry, and I believe this is because he has taken the observations of good science, and the teachings of good faith and applied them to our times. Doctor Dobson has done this so successfully that the secular world sometimes identifies him as a minster or preacher, when his outstanding professional qualifications are as a psychologist.
I believe that one of the most effective minsters today is Robert Schuller, and his long standing television broadcasts, and numerous books have probably touched more lives than any Christian minister ever. Doctor Schuller has sometimes been accused by bad faith of compromising the gospel, and subordinating the revelation of Scripture to the teachings of science. Doctor Schuller's grounding in Scripture is probably more solid than most of those who criticize him, but he expresses the eternal truths of Scripture in the language of good science, and communicates the eternal message of God in the language of our day. I believe that like Doctor Billy Graham, Doctor Schullers life and fruit is the answer to his detractors, and the evidence that good science and good faith are in agreement.
Good psychology and good Christianity working together have helped me in my healing journey, but bad science and bad faith have hurt me. When I was a patient in the Saint Barnabas Center for clergy there was a spiritual director who was part of the therapeutic team. The team treated faith as a friend, but also looked for wrong beliefs and practices in my life that were contributing to my illness. Years later when I admitted myself to another facility the psychiatrist immediately identified my faith as the culprit for my reluctance to take medication. When I explained to him that I came to do memory work, and did not want the medicine to interfere he insisted the real reason was my faith. His bias prevented me from trusting him, and I left without doing the work I came to do. Reverend Robert Schuller's television broadcasts, and books, based solidly in Scripture and good psychology, often encouraged me to go to church when I did not want to leave the house, and to hope when I was so depressed that I wanted to die. However, there were other television preachers who labeled my depression as sin, and psychologists as devils. They did not lift a finger to help me, and placed heavier burdens on my already depressed spirit. Psychology and Christianity are often hostile helpers. This is sad because each is most effective in treating mental illness when working together.
It is more than sad, it is sin, for Christians to arrogantly dismiss the observations of good science, and to forbid or discourage people who need help from going to someone who can help. The hypocrisy of those who condemn all psychology or science is that they seem addicted to taking the teachings of psychology and using it as their own, but do not give credit to those who by meticulous and laborious observation learned wisdom about man.
It is more than sad, it is foolish, for psychology to arrogantly dismiss Scripture's revelations about the nature of man. A mansion built on sinking sand will sink no matter how elegant and strong the construction of the mansion. Good faith offers millenniums of experience, a loving community, and a new power in a persons life (the power of God) which psychology by its very nature cannot offer. Psychology cripples itself when it treats good faith as a foe and not a friend.
Faith and science have often been hostile helpers, and they may have to remain cautious friends, but good science and good faith walk together, and they work best as friends, not foes. Psychology in its origins and theoretical foundations may be hostile to faith, but in its desire to help men, and practices developed through good observation psychology is a friend. I believe that good faith by its own teachings needs to offer the olive branch to psychology, and kill the enmity that does exists by extending the hand of friendship.