Christian Psychologists

[Bolts]

Psychology is the science that studies cognition, physiology, behavior and the processes that underlie it. These findings are applied to everyday practical situations. Situations that range from testing whether a pink room can stimulate placid responses, to developing computerized braille laptops for physical impairment. Modern day psychology has it's roots in philosophy (Plato etc..) and biology. Scientists don't hate God. Like Saul they need the shells over their eyes to be removed, before they will believe.

Your right in saying that everything we need is in the word. We are so blessed that we do not have to look very far for answers, support, encouragement or guidence. But what about that one lost sheep? I'm not one for going into the pubs, gang pads or to the parlors to evangelise. Mental Health and working with the disabled are areas that I am familiar with and yes, I feel comfortable in it.

There are alot of christians today, who no longer fellowship. Why? It's easy enough to say that it was the devourer and to leave it at that, but who is going to go out into the storm to find them? Maybe they are sick why they no longer fellowship, maybe they are lonely, or maybe they feel that they don't have enough money to tithe? Are they able to talk to the leaders in the church comfortably and sincerely, or do they feel as though they need to put on a garment of christiandom? Money was never an issue to Jesus. He paid his taxes - from out of the mouth of a fish. But it is an issue for man. The bible tells us that a workman is worth his wages. In the same way that God does not want to be robbed, neither does he want us to be robbed.

Freud was certainly a character. Born in 1856 and died 1939. He was a doctor by profession and psychoanalysis emerged through his dealings with his patients. His theory that the mind is composed of three distinct parts is still widely recognised. However, his theory on psychosexual developmental stages is surrounded by a lot of controversy. Not many of these ideas are accepted today, as many theorists believe that psychosexual development was founded during the oppression of women era. One of the great advantages that christians have over psychology, is their testimony and personal relationship with Jesus. This empathy and compassion shows that Jesus is in the house!!

[nebula]

Everything we need to know is in the bible and we don't need anything from the world. Worldly thinking/wisdom is foolishness with God. Psychology never helped anyone for only the Word of God can help us. What did God do before man invented Psychology? If we are to minister to people are we going to charge them for the help that God gives for free?

I understand what you are saying, Larry.

However, the Christian counselor/ psychologist will be guided by the Word and use it properly.

I learned a lot from Chrisitan counselors/ psychologists in working to overcome my chronic depression (help I wasn't getting before consulting them, even though Iwas readingthe Bible and praying everyday, going to church, and all of that).

[larryt]

Everything we need to know is in the bible and we don't need anything from the world. Worldly thinking/wisdom is foolishness with God. Psychology never helped anyone for only the Word of God can help us. What did God do before man invented Psychology? If we are to minister to people are we going to charge them for the help that God gives for free?

I understand what you are saying, Larry.

However, the Christian counselor/ psychologist will be guided by the Word and use it properly.

I learned a lot from Christian counselors/ psychologists in working to overcome my chronic depression (help I wasn't getting before consulting them, even though Iwas readingthe Bible and praying everyday, going to church, and all of that).

Did the counselors charge anything for the help? If you could not pay would they still help? The point I am making is that God never charges us anything to help us. He has already paid it all for us. If I have to pay for help then it is not from God and is counterfeit. Satan has got the world believing that the right drug, medical procedure, counseling will solve man's problems. Would this type of counseling help the unbeliever as well as the believer? If it works the same with unbelievers then it is not of God.

Did your pastor/elders that were not able to help pass you off on the counselors? If they did then they are the ones that let you down by not believing in the Word. They did not believe that the scripture is SUFFICIENT FOR ALL GOOD WORKS.

One of the most popular psychological "doctrines" in "christian psychology" is the idea of self-esteem which has no basis in the bible yet the most well know proponents of this doctrine hold that this is the "most important thing missing in the lives of American women."

the Christian counselor/ psychologist will be guided by the Word

How do you know they "will" be guided by the Word of God. If they were guided by the Word they would abandon the unbiblical ideas they perpetrate upon the people they purport to help.(self-esteem)

LT

[DaniJ87]

I believe that Christians could do to study psychology- the same way we can gain from studying social work. I may completely disagree with some of the philosphies behind social work... but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't be good to get Christians into those positions. My christian cousin Karianne is a social worker. She works with physically and mentally disabled kids.

Psychology tells a lot of truth. A lot of it is based on lots of observation, and experiments, and research- both with animals and people... Some things are not as truthful.... such as the Freud business. However, many of the less acceptable ones, such as Siegmund Freud, and B.F. Skinner, are questioned quite a lot now. Skinner, for instance, believed that the mind was basically unimportant- he was the forerunner of the "behaviorism" movement. Today, the definition of psychology is, "The study of behavior and mental processes."

Some psychology is extremely helpful- such as the work done in child development. No matter how good a Christian you are, it can help you understand why your three year old just isn't able to understand certain things, to look at what a typical three year old is capable of, based on a massive amount of research..

As you might have guessed, I am taking a general psychology class this semester in college. I went into it expecting to have my faith affronted- and instead, apart from a couple of humanistic philosophies, (which is sort of a given, seeing as I am at a public university) most of what I am taught does in no way contradict the scriptures.

I think the kind of people you are actually disliking are psychiatrists- not psychologists. Psychologists are scientists- researching, performing experiments, interpreting data... trying to understand things we don't understand very well.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who use psychological therapy and sometimes drugs, to treat someone's problems. Now, for most cases, I contend that the drugs are completely misused... However, I have learned that there ARE cases, when either your brain is damaged, or malformed, so that it doesn't make, or ceases to make, certain neurotransmitters, and this can cause major issues in your emotions, and some bodily functions. Also, while I believe that a lot of psychological therapy is completely God-less, and useless, this is precisely why we should get some more Christians into the field.

hmm.. It would be GREAT to get some christian psychologists, who could verify the link between high risk for depression and psychological issues, and abortion.

There are also a lot of people who call themselves psychologists, or psychiatrists, who are really neither. These fakes cause a lot of misinformation.

Once again, the ranks of Christianity have retreated in the name of "separation"... and left the field of psychology wide open for Satan's control.

[larryt]

I believe that Christians could do to study psychology- the same way we can gain from studying social work. I may completely disagree with some of the philosphies behind social work... but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't be good to get Christians into those positions. My christian cousin Karianne is a social worker. She works with physically and mentally disabled kids.

Psychology tells a lot of truth. A lot of it is based on lots of observation, and experiments, and research- both with animals and people... Some things are not as truthful.... such as the Freud business. However, many of the less acceptable ones, such as Siegmund Freud, and B.F. Skinner, are questioned quite a lot now. Skinner, for instance, believed that the mind was basically unimportant- he was the forerunner of the "behaviorism" movement. Today, the definition of psychology is, "The study of behavior and mental processes."

Some psychology is extremely helpful- such as the work done in child development. No matter how good a Christian you are, it can help you understand why your three year old just isn't able to understand certain things, to look at what a typical three year old is capable of, based on a massive amount of research..

As you might have guessed, I am taking a general psychology class this semester in college. I went into it expecting to have my faith affronted- and instead, apart from a couple of humanistic philosophies, (which is sort of a given, seeing as I am at a public university) most of what I am taught does in no way contradict the scriptures.

I think the kind of people you are actually disliking are psychiatrists- not psychologists. Psychologists are scientists- researching, performing experiments, interpreting data... trying to understand things we don't understand very well.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who use psychological therapy and sometimes drugs, to treat someone's problems. Now, for most cases, I contend that the drugs are completely misused... However, I have learned that there ARE cases, when either your brain is damaged, or malformed, so that it doesn't make, or ceases to make, certain neurotransmitters, and this can cause major issues in your emotions, and some bodily functions. Also, while I believe that a lot of psychological therapy is completely God-less, and useless, this is precisely why we should get some more Christians into the field.

hmm.. It would be GREAT to get some christian psychologists, who could verify the link between high risk for depression and psychological issues, and abortion.

There are also a lot of people who call themselves psychologists, or psychiatrists, who are really neither. These fakes cause a lot of misinformation.

Once again, the ranks of Christianity have retreated in the name of "separation"... and left the field of psychology wide open for Satan's control.

Hi Dani,

You have given us your opinion. Now would you mind letting us know what God says about

1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

All of what you say we need to study I have already studied and found wanting.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

7 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

If you would read you bible you would know why a 3 yr old is the way he/she is.

LT

[Fiosh]

Hi Bolts,

I'm not a "psychologist" but my B.A. is in the field of psychology. I work as a mental health caseworker with chronically and severely mentally ill persons. The most incredible part of my job is allowing God to use my knowledge of the human psyche combined with an understanding of His love, compassion and power, to help people to begin to be healed --in Him.

I cannot express to you how I am blest to see the trust and resilience in people who have been thru unspeakable traumas. Yet they look in faith to God for help. And they often look to me for affirmation of that faith. How often I pray while I sit and talk with someone who feels that life is not worth living. I pray silently to the Holy Spirit for guidance; and I often pray aloud with or for the suffering person.

Psychology does not necessarily oppose God. God created us as the wonderful, complex creatures that we are. And when His children are hurting, He sends us help in many forms.

I don't mean this as a boast, honestly I don't, because I'm sure many have heard the same sentiment expressed. But I have often been called, "an angel" by my clients. Not in the sense that I in any way am special. But that they are special because God sent someone to care for them.

Bolts, go for it. You will be a blessing to many. You will have an understanding of what drives us and what breaks us down, from both a human standpoint and a spiritual one.

You, too, will be an angel.........sent to care for the hurting.

God bless you,

Fiosh

[dgolvach]

Don't you guys listen to Tom Cruise?

Dan

[Fiosh]

Don't you guys listen to Tom Cruise?

Dan

Nope! Not at all.

[caldog]

as a christian, studying psychology would be good. why not. but as for "christian psychologist" that's an oximoron. you have to remember psychology is a science of man, by man. you'll notice historically that the study of psychology has gone through many changes and errors.

Edited November 5, 2005 by caldog

[DaniJ87]

If you would read you bible you would know why a 3 yr old is the way he/she is.

LT

I am sorry, but I find that remark rather insulting.

The Bible may tell us all we need to know.. about FINDING out what we need to know... but with the philosophy that it contains EVERYTHING, we shouldn't drive cars, because God didn't put the plan for those in the Bible... we shouldn't have modern medicine, because it's not in the Bible, and we shouldn't have electricity, because it's not in the Bible, either.

The type of things that I was referring to about a 3 year old, are real. God hasn't laid out in His Word, exactly what the average three-year-old is capable of understanding. For example, the average three-year old can't understand abstracts. They think very concretely. The Bible doesn't tell us that. It only tells us to come to Him in the same way as a child. Very young children also do not understand death. They cannot understand every word in the dictionary, and at that point in their lives, you can't reason very much with them- their extent of reasoning is "Daddy says don't do that; I do it; I get a spanking" . This is simply how little kids think. Mind you, I am talking "average"... This doesn't mean EVERY three year old...

but I hope you get the idea. The study of how children think , and understand, is "Educational" or "Childood" "Psychology".