WAR:What is Christian Psychology?  by Jimmy Swaggart

   The Bible is the only casebook for the cure of souls.

   We should start out by stating, right at the top, that nothing
contained within this article should be misconstrued as questioning the
Christian motivation or spiritual orientation of those who promote and
support certain Christian alliances. And by "Christian alliances, " I
mean policies that seek to meld Christianity with those worldly
disciplines that purport to deal expertly with - and solve - human
problems.

   I, as any regular reader will know, believe that Jesus Christ is
able to, willing to, and capable of handling any problems His children
might encounter - if they will truly turn them over to Him and stand
steadfastly in "the shadow of His wing."

   I feel led to bring this position FORCEFULLY before those Christians
that I might be able to influence. But I do ask that my statements not
be interpreted as attacks upon the Christian posture or spiritual
stance of those who (in my opinion) are being lured out of Hamlin by a
worldly Pied Piper.

   The most devoted of individuals can be led astray. And I feel
(because it has happened over and over again) that entire religious
movements or fellowships can become misguided and misdirected. I
conclude, with a heavy heart, that this is what is happening in the
mainstream of religion today. And I speak particularly of the
Pentecostal and Charismatic fellowships.

   I am absolutely convinced that psychotherapy (psychological
counseling) is rapidly replacing biblical counseling and that the whole
Christian ministry is being, to a great extent, subverted by this
"false religion."

   I will make statements in this article that might shock or annoy,
but I will do so only because I am convinced they must be said. I hope
I will be able to say them in a loving manner because it is Christian
love and concern that motivate me. But I suspect, from long experience,
that some will deny me this honest motivation. In any event, I will
confess to a burning determination to see the truth - and then to
preach this truth as I have come to see it.

   IS PSYCHOTHERAPY (OR COUNSELING LACED WITH PSYCHOLOGY) REPLACING
BIBLICAL COUNSELING AND PREACHING?

   In a recent book review in the PENTECOSTAL EVANGEL (the official
voice of the Assemblies of God), a book entitled The Holy Spirit in
Counseling was lauded. Here's what was said:

   "Gilbert and Brock [the authors], examined the biblical foundations
of the Holy Spirit's dynamics as Comforter in the counseling process.

   "During the time of writing, both editors were professors in the
Psychology Department at Evangel College, Springfield, Missouri. They
attempt to show how a Godly synthesis can be made of biblical theology
and psychological research. For instance:

   "`It is impossible to separate psychology and theology - as they
relate to the counseling process. The object of counseling is a human
being created in God's image. Wholeness is achieved only when life is
lived in the manner in which He intended. Therefore, it is not a
question of whether therapists rely upon the Holy Spirit or upon their
counseling skills. We must equip ourselves with the best tools
available, while being certain that the presence and power of the Holy
Spirit permeates our personalties.'"

   MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGY

   To begin with, we should note that there are many different types of
psychology.

   * There is EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY which deals with learning
disabilities, educational motivation, importance of organization, etc.

   * There is INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY. This delves into difficulties and
problems associated with the work place.

   * In addition, there are many specialties under the general umbrella
of psychology that are purely scientific and provide valuable
statistical data for better understanding of human reactions to a wide
variety of situations.

   However, these are not what we are discussing here. What we are
talking about is psychotherapy as it relates to "cures for souls.

   The primary Greek word PSCHO is the root from which we drive the
English terms "PSYCHOLOGY" or "PSYCHOLOGIST." Interesting, the word
PSYCHO is utilized in the New Testament for "SOUL." Hence, a
psychologist is a "worker with souls."

   A specific distinction should be made, however. The secular
psychotherapist considers himself a worker with minds, while the (so-
called) "Christian" psychologist considers himself a worker with souls.

   Most of today's Bible colleges and seminaries offer at least some
basic introduction to psychology for their would-be preachers of the
Gospel. Thus a foundation is laid for a subtle deflection away from the
Bible and toward psychotherapy.

   The courses offered to most of our future preachers only touch on
the rudiments of their future association with the treatment of souls.
However, the stage is set for a familiarity with (and affection for)
things other than the Word of God.

   I suspect that preachers - who earnestly desire to be of help to
people - are particularly vulnerable during these formative years.
Lacking in experience and self-confidence, they are delighted to
discover something that is boldly placarded as a certifiable tool in
delivering such help. "Christian" psychology supposedly offers an
organized system for carrying out this weighty task, and formative
minds are soon addicted to a method that seems to offer "a whole new
way."

   Bible colleges and seminaries of most denominations and fellowships
now offer these courses. Naturally, a great legitimacy is thereby
afforded them.

   It is even suggested today that if a person has only Bible
knowledge, he is ill-equipped to handle the pressing problems of
humanity. He must (along with Bible training) be grounded in psychology
to meet "human" needs. This is implanted early, with the unspoken
implication that the Bible in itself is insufficient to solve human
problems.

   It is constantly being suggested that ministers are ill-prepared and
ill-equipped to meet the needs of modern man. If the preacher is to be
truly effective and proficient in his role, he should be referring a
large percentage of those who seek his help to "professionals."

   "Professionals, " or "therapy," used within this context means, of
course, psychologists or psychotherapy.

   I recently received a letter from a Christian psychologist telling
about his wife who had serious problems. He said, "We needed competent,
Christian mental health care. We couldn't find it in the church; people
didn't understand her emotional problems. We couldn't find it in the
world; mental health professionals didn't understand our faith."

   He went on to say that psychotherapy, combined with the Holy Spirit,
gave her the victory.

   Now I don't know exactly what he meant when he said, "We couldn't
find it in the church." Perhaps he was speaking of the specific church
they attended or a particular pastor - which is certainly
understandable. But if he was speaking of "the church, " meaning the
body of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit within that church, he
was in effect saying that the Bible does not hold the answer to human
problems and that we must look outside the Word of God for help. At the
very least, it would seem that his statement suggests that we must
combine the work of the Holy Spirit with secular psychotherapy. The
end-product of this growing dependence on "scientific" compromise is
that:

   * Pschotherapy has become widely accepted as "scientific" and,
therefore, must be a useful tool. As a consequence, it has become
accepted within many Pentecostal and Charismatic fellowships. (It has,
of course, been long accepted within the denominational world.)

   * Most Pentecostal Bible colleges and seminaries now promote
psychotherapy as a legitimate tool for meeting "the human need."

   * As a result, most of our younger preachers are now convinced that
psychotherapy is "spiritually neutral." It is, therefore, a legitimate
tool to be employed with a clear conscience when trying to help
humanity.

   * The old-fashioned, tried-and-true Word of Almighty God (combined
with the preaching of the Word) is given lesser place when considering
methods for solving man's problems.

   COUNSELING - THE EXPRESSWAY FOR HELP

   The other day I spoke with a professor who has many years of
experience in teaching in Pentecostal Bible colleges. I asked him why
homiletics (the preparation of sermons) is seldom taught anymore in our
Bible colleges.

   His answer shocked me. He said, "Most are no longer looking to
preaching as a means of meeting humanity's needs. Counseling has now
become the expressway for help in this area."

   Hence, there is no longer a need for sermon preparation. The
colleges are gradually shifting over to a definite bias toward
psychotherapy.

   IS PSYCHOTHERAPY (COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY) TRULY SCIENTIFIC AND
THEREFORE `NEUTRAL'?

   Proponents of psychotherapy call it scientific and camouflage its
discrepancies with scientific jargon and medical argot. However, the
questions must be asked: Is psychotherapy a science or a superstition?
Is it fact or fabrication?

   These questions must be asked, because we have come to venerate
almost anything labeled as "science." If, indeed, psychology and
psycholotherapy are scientific, they should command our respect and be
used within every community. However, if they are not, we have valid
grounds for questioning the propriety of intruding them into the
preacher's methodology.

   In Martin and Deidre Bobgan's book, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WAY/THE
SPIRITUAL WAY, they state on page 44:

   "In attempting to evaluate the status of psychology, the American
Psychological Association appointed Sigmund Koch to plan and direct a
study which was subsidized by the National Science Foundation. This
study involved eighty eminent scholars in assessing the facts,
theories, and methods of psychology. The results of this extensive
endeavor were then published in a seven-volume series entitled
PSYCHOLOGY: A Study of a Science."

   "After examining the results, Koch concluded, `I think it is by
utterly and finally clear that psychology cannot be a coherent
science.' He further declares that such activities as perception,
motivation, social psychology, psychopathology, and creativity cannot
be properly labeled science."

   E.Fuller Torrey says, "The medical model of human behavior, when
carried to its logical conclusions, is both nonsensical and non-
functional. It doesn't answer the questions asked. It doesn't provide
good service, and it leads to a stream of absurdities worthy of a Roman
circus."

   In a study (done some time ago) comparing modern-day psychology with
witchcraft, the result came out a dead heat. The only discernible
difference was that the witch doctors charged less and kept their
patients a shorter period of time.

   "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the
fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken
cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).

   William Kirk Kilpatrick say, "True Christianity does not mix well
with psychology. When you try to mix them, you end up with a
watered-down Christianity instead of a Christianized psychology.

   "But the process is subtle and is rarely noticed. It is not a
frontal attack on Christianity. It is not even a case of the wolf at
the door. Actually, the wolf is already in the fold, dressed in sheep's
clothing. From the way it was petted and fed by some of the shepherds,
one would think it was the prize sheep."

   Jacob Needleman says, "Modern psychiatry arose out of the vision
that man must change himself and not depend for help on an imaginary
God. Over half a century ago (mainly through the insights of Freud and
through the energies of those he influenced), the human psyche was
wrested from the faltering hands of organized religion and was situated
in the world of nature as a subject for scientific study."

   Incidentally, Freud opened his office in Vienna, the first devoted
to psychotherapy, a little over 100 years ago.

   Martin Gross, in his book, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, says: "When
educated man lost faith in formal religion, he required a substitute
belief that would be as reputable in the last half of the 20th Century
as Christianity was in the first. Psychology and psychiatry have now
assumed that special role."

   Modern-day psychotherapy has its roots in atheism, evolution, and
humanism. Psychology pretends to have a cure for troubled souls. It is
taught in atheistic universities, often times by atheistic professors.
And this same subject, with the same foundations and influences, is
accepted today as an integral part of the Christian curriculum in our
Bible colleges and seminaries. There aren't two kinds of psychotherapy,
there is only one. And, as Paul Vitz says, "It is deeply
anti-Christian."

   Someone once said, "America's problem is not ignorance; America's
problem is that she accepts a lie."

   Now, the problems with our preachers may once have been ignorance
but, this is no longer the case. I am now concerned that what they
accept (psychotherapy) is not truth - it is a lie.

   I maintain that pshchotherapy is not scientific, that it is not even
and "art" as claimed. It is a lie, pure and simple, and has no basis in
scientific or biblical fact. When Bible colleges offer it, they are
offering a bald fabrication. When seminaries teach it, they are
teaching a lie. When would-be preachers immerse themselves in it , they
immerse themselves in falsehood. When individuals accept a doctorate in
this nefarious shamanism, they are receiving a certificate without
scientific validity.

   I say that preachers of the Gospel, attempting to meld psychotherapy
with the Word of God, will help no one. They will deliver only
confusion. People will be led away from the aid available through the
Word of God.

   The two are as immiscible and as antagonistic as oil and water.

   WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL SYSTEM FOR COUNSELING AND HELPING THE "HUMAN
CONDITION"?

   I have been taken to task for stating that there is no such thing as
a Christian psychologist. I have also been castigated for suggesting
that on might as well say "Christian witch doctor" as "Christian
psychologist."

   Do we consider witchcraft a viable answer to the human condition? I
think the answer is fairly obvious. So, if psychotherapy (psychology)
is not scientific or scriptural (and it isn't), if it is not what it
claims to be, and if it can't do what it claims to do - then what is
the difference in the terms "Christian psychology" and "Christian witch
doctor"? Both are fundamental contradictions and should be recognized
as such.

   Martin Bobgan stated: "The psychological way - claiming to be
scientific - is practiced as a profession. The spiritual way is a
natural outflow of Christian love, as practiced in the body of Christ.
The psychological way requires training in theories and techniques
devised by men. Only designated, trained individuals may offer
professional, psychological help.

   "The spiritual way, on the other hand, may be practiced by any
member of the body of Christ. Biblical counseling is not based on the
theories or techniques of men, but rather is practiced by those who
know the Bible, have applied God's Word in their own lives through the
ministration of the Holy Spirit, and demonstrate love for others by the
way they minister healing and life."

   He went on to say, "The Bible is filled with information about the
condition of humanity and with teachings that lead to emotional
stability and power for living."

   The Lord Jesus Christ, some 2,000 years ago, said:

   "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is
easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).

   At the beginning of this article I quoted from a book by Gilbert and
Brock. They state: "It is not a question of whether therapists rely
upon the Holy Spirit or upon their counseling skills."

   In other words, they are saying that it doesn't really matter where
the help originates, whether it is from the Holy Spirit or from
psychology. They then conclude that we `must equip ourselves with the
best tools available."

   Is psychology a tool?

   When it was suggested that modern-day psychology is not found in the
Bible, one preacher stated that neither is the automobile, the
airplane, or the computer. We do not, he reasoned, resist utilization
of these tools in our lives, so why should we resist the tool of
psychology (or any other self-help method or technique)?

   My answer is this:

   Admittedly, the Bible has nothing to say about the automobile,
computer, airplane, or a host of other crafts developed since it was
written. The Bible does not claim to be a handbook on engineering,
science, or whatever. These extraneous subjects are not man's problems.
Man can be an expert scientist, a qualified engineer, or a host of
other things - and still be a moral and spiritual wreck. However, the
Bible does come right out and claim to be a handbook on the "human
condition" - and does come right out and claim to hold all the answers
to this particular human area.

   Listen to this:

   "as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life
and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and
virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious
promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

   (2 Peter 1:3-4)

   Now either the Bible did give us all things that pertain unto life
(verse 3) or it didn't. If it didn't, it lied, and we then need to turn
to the book, The Holy Spirit in Counseling, by Gilbert and Brock. We
can then, forever after, rely upon therapists who will combine their
modern- day "science" with the Word of God.

   And if we can have Christian psychology, why not have Christian
medicine or Christian physics or Christian biochemistry? Of course, the
reason we don't have all these things is that such things don't exist
in real-life terms. Medicine is the same for the Christian or the non-
Christian. Chemistry is the same for the Christian or the
non-Christian. However, our Christian educators have attempted to take
an ungodly, atheistic, anti-Christian, immoral, unbiblical, worldly
system called psychology and integrate it into biblical counseling.

   This just can't be done!

   CAN A TRAINED COUNSELOR HELP PEOPLE IF HE LOVES GOD AND HAS A TRUE
DESIRE TO BE OF SERVICE?

   No! The counselor trained in psychology, even though he has a strong
desire to help people, can't be effective until he totally and
completely renounces all psychological training and turns to the Word
of God as his sole source and guide. It is like mixing light with
darkness. Scripture asks us this question:

   "And what accord has Christ with BELIAL? Or what part has a believer
with an unbeliever?

   (2 Corinthians 6:15).

   IS THE PREACHER QUALIFIED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS OF MANKIND?

   If the preacher of the Gospel is thoroughly grounded in the Word of
God, he is actually the only one who is capable of meeting these
particular needs.

   I realize it is being suggested today that the preacher of the
Gospel is not qualified to address the "human condition." He has not
been specifically educated and trained in these areas. But the fact is,
the so- called professional in the field of "the cure of the soul" is
actually the one who is unqualified to help the individual in need.

   Now this might seem ludicrous to some. Don't they have Masters or
Doctorates in counseling or psychotherapy? Still, I am stating that
they are not qualified to help the individual. They hold certificates
in a system that is grounded in atheism and humanism. As such, the
whole system has no basis in fact and has no inherent qualification for
addressing itself to "the cure of the soul."

   I want to say it again:

   The Bible is the only casebook for the cure of souls. Only it holds
the answers.

   As a consequence, the preacher of the Gospel (or, for that matter,
anyone who is well-versed in the Word of God and committed to Christ)
is eminently well-qualified to deal with human needs.

   IS IT TRUE THAT OUR CHURCHES ARE RESORTING TO COUNSELING INSTEAD OF
PREACHING THE GOSPEL?

   Yes, it is, and the results are obviously catastrophic. I am going
to make some statements that might seem harsh, but I feel they are true.

   FIRST, most marriage counselors or marriage seminars are ineffective
at best and harmful at worst. There may be a few exceptions, but
precious few.

   I realize that marriage seminars (or workshops) are hailed as being
the all-inclusive through ways to domestic health and happiness. But if
this is so, why are one out of two marriages ending in divorce? (And
only God knows how many others stay together DESPITE all their
problems.)

   TO BE FACTUAL, THE ONLY ANSWER FOR MARRIAGE PROBLEMS IS "FASTING,
PRAYER, AND APPLICATION OF THE WORD." The Bible holds the answer. If
only men and women would study it and seek God's face, their particular
problems would evaporate.

   "But marriage counseling and seminars work, " some say.

   No, they do not work. The truth of the matter is, if individuals
would study the Word and seek God earnestly, they wouldn't need
marriage seminars. And if they did learn something of value in a
marriage seminar, you can rest assured it was already available in the
Bible - if only they would have looked. In all these cases, they could
have saved time and money be simply applying the Word of God DIRECTLY
to their problems.

   NEXT, many people who attend seminars do not want to live by the
Bible.

   And, finally, most individuals who are holding marriage seminars are
leaving the Word of God and trying to apply ineffective psychological
principles to problems they aren't capable of solving.

   HUNDREDS OF OUR PREACHERS ARE FALLING INTO IMMORALITY BECAUSE OF
MARRIAGE COUNSELING

   I might add that hundreds of individuals, be they preachers or
otherwise, are falling into immorality because it is not God's way and
it will not work.

   I once heard A.N. Trotter say that it is not God's will or the Bible
way for a preacher of the Gospel to sit for hours listening to one
sordid tale of woe after another. He went on to say that these endless
stories of perversion, sin, and immorality come to permeate right down
into the subconscious of the counselor, and will eventually take their
deadly toll.

   Brother Trotter was right. Hundreds (perhaps even thousands) of
preachers (and others) are falling into immorality and sin - simply
because they are trying to take the place of the Holy Spirit.

   Ninety percent of all counseling in the church ought to be stopped.
The preacher of the Gospel should, instead, preach the Word with power
and with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Word of God will then
have its effect on people's lives. The Holy Spirit, utilizing the Word,
will fly like and arrow - directly to the problem. He will not only
point out the problem, He will supply the solution.

   "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any
two- edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and
of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all
things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give
account."

   (Hebrews 4:12-13)

   The individual can kneel before God at an old-fashioned altar and
let the Holy Spirit speak to his heart. And, please understand, the
reason we are having so many problems in our churches is that we are,
to a great degree, ignoring this beautiful work of the Spirit, which is
available at any time - for either the sinner or the Christian.

   The Spirit of God should work in the services, the fallow ground
should be broken, and people should be broken, and people should be
moved and touched. They should come before God broken and weeping. At
these times the Holy Spirit touches their hearts and restores them to
spiritual, emotional, and metal health. All the one-on-one counseling
in the world cannot even approach what I suggest here.

   And, remember - this is not one of the answers, it is not an answer
- it is the ONLY answer.

   BUT DOESN'T THE BIBLE SUGGEST COUNSELING AS A PROPER HELP?

   Yes, it does. But it is merely speaking of advice. It is not, by any
trick of modern-day interpretation, recommending psychology or
psychotherapy.

   The Bible is full of advice specific to the human condition and
doesn't need any help. To be completely frank, there is no help other
than the Word of God.

   If a person will apply the Bible to his problems, he will find the
solution. If he goes to man for his advice, he will only receive a
man's solution - which will prove of little value.

   Yes, I believe in biblical counseling. But I believe it should be of
short duration, and with individuals being directed to specific areas
of the Bible - and to their knees. At this point, the Holy Spirit
should be invited to perform His work of reconciliation. In this
situation, the counselor is no longer a counselor in any sense, he is a
minister.

   However, something more should be added:

   Counselors can develop an unwarranted sense of self-importance.
People come to them for advice and counsel. All to often, their
troubled wards become emotional addicts, totally dependent on a
succession of counseling "fixes" to carry them through the short
periods between visits.

   Of course, this can become heady stuff for the therapist. With a
steady parade of fawning clients at his feet, it is easy for the
therapist to lose perspective and end up more confused than the
patients.

   As long as preachers accept psychology and depend on it as their
main resource in ministering to individuals, they will continue to be
saturated in perversion, adultery, and all the lowest types of
immorality. And they will continue to fall be the hundreds and even
thousands.

   These poor individuals who go to Christian psychologists will be
wasting their time and their money (if there is a charge for the
services). They will be led down a path that offers no solutions.

   The help offered may be sprinkle with words like prayer, or the Holy
Spirit, and snatches of Scripture that appear to paper over the heavy
doses of psychological jargon. But the mixture will not work and the
individual will not be helped.

   The greatest thing that could happen to the church (the body of
Christ) would be if Christian psychologists, trained counselors, and
the psychology departments of all our Bible colleges and seminaries
would close up shop. Then the local churches could close down their
counseling services, and before long we could get back to normal.

   The congregations could then open their Bibles, start to read, and
begin living what they read. They could find a church where the moving
of the Spirit is evident, and they would there hear a preacher of the
Gospel expound the Word of God. This church would allow the Holy Spirit
to apply the Word of God to their hearts and lives, and they would then
allow the Spirit to deal with their hearts.

   Now, wouldn't that be a day to look forward to?

   Our problems, as far as this mortal vale is concerned, would be
greatly helped. But they will not disappear as long as we put our faith
in a false science instead of God.

   Psychology and Christianity cannot be reconciled. Truth and lies
cannot live together.

   It might be said of psychology, as it was said of a particular
sinister prison: ABANDON HOPE, ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE.

   "Beware lest anyone take you captive through philosophy and empty
deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic
principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells
all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him,
who is the head of all principality and power."

   (Colossians 2:8-10)