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In light of the truth of what Christian counseling is, as discussed in Part 1, there is by default something that Christian counseling is not --- but which we see practiced in the name of Christian counseling in the church.

There is somewhat of a running debate regarding the role of psychology in Christian counseling.  I believe the reason this debate is even considered seriously is because the church has abandoned it’s role in communicating the whole message of Christ, leaving hurting people without real hope or answers.  And the reason this practice is not considered alarming is because people in the church, even the leadership, are not grounded in the truth enough to see its danger.

II Pet. 1:3 says, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue..."  This verse literally means what it says.  All the answers we need for life and for godliness come from relationship with God.  That means every single answer.  There are no answers offered by psychology that are missing in relationship with God.  Therefore, psychology has nothing to offer believers who are willing to seek God for answers.

Even further, however, there is a fundamental danger in psychology, no matter what kind of acceptable face you try to put on it.  Let’s take a deeper look.

Psychology = the science of the human soul; specifically, the systematic or scientific knowledge of the powers and functions of the human soul, so far as they are known by consciousness; a treatise on the human soul.   (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary)

The science of psychology was developed by men as a way to explain and evaluate "the human soul" without the knowledge of, or necessity for, God.  This is no less than what the Word describes in Rom. 1:18-32.  And the Word indicates that when men seek to be wise in their own wisdom without acknowledging God the fruit is completely opposite from healing.  Look at verses 28-31:

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

By its very definition, psychology attempts to provide answers through science.  Science is about using observation, logic and reason to reach conclusions.  The problem with this is that the truth that brings freedom cannot be understood without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I Cor. 2:14 says, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

The actual scientific part of the science of psychology has made some solid observations that are quite accurate.  For instance, the science of psychology has made the observations that certain patterns of behavior stem from certain causes.  This can make psychology seem to be advantageous. 

However, If the church were active in ministering to the hurting we would have made these observations ourselves. Science has picked up the baton of attempting to help the helpless because the church stopped fulfilling its function and now Christians believe that the science of psychology is necessary for understanding of these issues. This state of affairs has occurred because the church has strayed from the whole truth of our commission and ministry --- which integrally includes physical/emotional healing.  This is particularly harmful because only the church is also able to bring healing to the hurting through the living application of Scripture.

Here’s one example from present society of the danger of looking to psychology for answers, rather than looking to God.  A generation ago, the issue of "self image" was brought to the forefront as the cause of many social ills.  It made sense when looking at observable causes and effects.  Science observed that people who believed themselves to be "less" acted in ways that allowed them to be mistreated further and locked them into a life of failure. 

This observable science was accurate.  However, the logical scientific answer was to teach people, especially children through the vehicle of the schools, that they needed to convince themselves that they were valuable, good, deserving of respect and capable of accomplishing whatever they set their minds to do.  Unfortunately, the fruit of this is what we’re seeing in society now.  The children of 20 years ago are now adults and the young adults of 20 years ago are in their 40’s.  And we see a fundamental arrogance, extreme selfishness and profound disrespect as every person believes themselves to be better than those around them and deserving of the "worship" of everyone else.  We see outbreaks of violence over traffic annoyances because people believe that their rights are more important than other’s.  We see parents who treat their children with disrespect because they feel that they don’t "deserve" to have to deal with childishness.

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