May is Mental Health Awareness month and there is much being written on the subject. In this and the two previous posts, I want to compare psychology and biblical counseling. In the process, I hope to answer two questions:

Has psychology, as we know it today, affected the spread of the gospel?

And has it hindered spiritual growth in believers?

In the first post, I laid some groundwork about the roots of modern psychology. In the second post, I discussed ten presuppositions of modern psychology and some of the problems with them. And today, we’ll look at the presuppositions of biblical counseling and theology, the differences between the two, and how I believe the answer to both of my questions is “yes.”

As I said in the first post, when I speak of psychology, I’m referring to it in the counseling or therapeutic sense having to do with diagnosing problems and seeking to change a person’s behavior, thinking, attitudes, values, and beliefs in an effort to solve those problems.

And again, I don’t mean to imply that counselors of all kinds don’t want to help people. But as believers, we need to hold everything up to the light of God’s Word. I have attempted to do that here.

The Presuppositions of Biblical Counseling & Theology

Since we looked at some of the presuppositions of psychology, by comparison, we will look at some of the presuppositions of biblical counseling and theology today.

Biblical counseling is counseling based on the Scriptures (Rom. 15.14; 2 Tim. 3.16-17; 2 Pet. 1.3-4). It’s, in many ways, in-depth discipleship. It focuses on the area where someone is struggling while addressing the whole person in his or her relationships with God and others. But that doesn’t mean, biblical counselors don’t deal with the difficult issues of life, including things with psychological labels.

So, what are some of the presuppositions of biblical counseling and discipleship?

About God

Of course, we presuppose the existence of God (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1; Hebrews 11:6) and understand that He has the right to command how we should live and think. But we move beyond the existence of God to the presupposition of God’s benevolent and righteous character.

We, also, realize that if we want to understand ourselves, we must first learn about God.

The Role of the Trinity in Counseling

Another crucial assumption of biblical counseling is the reality of the Trinity. All three members of the Trinity play a crucial part in counseling.

Think of the names and attributes of God the Father. He is omnipotent, all-knowing, the Almighty God. Those characteristics guarantee His ability to intervene and heal. And His omniscience means He is never at a loss for the perfect solution.

God the Son is our merciful and faithful High Priest. And since sin is always at play in our emotional problems, Christ and His work on the cross offer the ultimate answers. For the suffering, He suffered for us leaving us an example to follow (1 Pet. 2.21-23).

The Holy Spirit is the Counselor (Jn. 14.16). He testifies of Christ (Jn. 15.26), convicts of sin (Jn. 16.7,8), and guides us into all the truth (Jn. 16.13).

Man’s Fallen Condition

We don’t have to dig deep into the past and relive every hurt, except to see where we may need to forgive someone or where there are patterns of behavior that need to be changed. We acknowledge that we suffer sometimes because of our own sins and other times because of the sins of others. That means as people in a fallen world, we are all both sinners and sufferers. 

Man’s Hopelessness

Man on his own can change thinking patterns, attitudes, and behaviors to a certain extent. And doing so may provide some temporary relief. Even unbelievers can lose weight or quit smoking or learn better communication skills.

But another assumption of biblical counseling is that left to himself and without God’s help, man is hopeless and unable to change his true inner nature and his ultimate destiny.

People come into the counseling room or sit across from us at the coffee shop and they have problems. We might say they are dysfunctional idolaters. If we teach them some better communication skills or give them some other helpful advice without the gospel, we may send them out as functional idolaters. But they are still idolaters!

Ephesians 2.12 says that unregenerate man is “separate from Christ… without hope and without God in the world.”

But when a counselor or therapist merely makes someone feel better or get along better with his or her spouse apart from Christ, there is no desperation for God and His answers. Those answers can only be found in the gospel.

The Sufficiency of Christ

Another presupposition in biblical counseling is that of the sufficiency of Christ.

Ed Bulkley in Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology says:

A primary goal … in biblical counseling is sharing the “blessed hope,” Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). What a contrast this is to integrated counseling systems that try to provide hope for clients through innovative techniques of psychotherapies! While psychology points abuse victims to their past, biblical counseling points them to present and future victory in Christ. In contrast to “inner child” theories, biblical counseling seeks to move counselees toward maturity in Christ. Instead of leading people through 12 steps of recovery, biblical counseling teaches how to follow in Christ’s steps. The central truth, the primary focus, the philosophical foundation, the reality of hope, the power for change, and the goals of biblical counseling are all found in Jesus Christ. (p. 275)

Scripture’s Sufficiency & Inerrancy

We believe that the Bible has authority because we hold the presupposition that the Bible is inerrant and infallible.

The Word of God is dependable because it was inspired by God (2 Tim. 3.16-17). Psalm 111:7 says, “All [God’s] precepts are trustworthy.” The statements and principles in the Scriptures endure forever, while psychological theories are constantly changing.

Another presupposition of biblical counseling is that God has provided everything we need to live a blessed, God-honoring life.

2 Peter 1.3-4:

³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, ⁴ by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Note the word everything. God has given us everything we need to live before God and with other people. The Bible is sufficient.

In fact, Peter condemns teachers who “secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves” (2 Peter 2:1).

The Church

Biblical counseling presupposes that the church, especially the local church, is vital. It’s the place where ongoing teaching, discipleship, accountability, and encouragement should be taking place. And when necessary, church discipline.

According to those practicing psychology, Pastors can help with “spiritual” problems, but people need to go to licensed counselors and therapists for more complex issues.

But the Bible says that our pastors are to “watch over our souls” (Heb. 13.17), teach and, when necessary, admonish us (Eph. 4.11-14).

And as followers of Christ, we are all called to disciple, encourage, and help one another.

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another … (Col. 3.16).

Biblical Counseling Methodology

Biblical counseling presupposes that the Bible teaches us how to evangelize, help, disciple, and counsel others. That methodology involves listening well, showing compassion, giving hope, providing accountability, rebuking when necessary, and teaching doctrine, including what we sometimes call the put-offs and put-ons (Eph. 4.14-32; Phil. 4.6-8 and many others).

And I would add that a big part of biblical counseling involves building relationships. As we lead people to Christ or help fellow believers grow in some area, we are growing together as brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Some of my best friends were once counselees. And they wouldn’t be afraid to speak truth into my life as I once did for them.

Christian Psychology

But, Where does Christian psychology fit into all of this? What about those who have tried to Christianize these psychological teachings.

Martha Peace in her booklet Psychologized Man says:

Christian Psychologists justify their position by believing that their field is scientific and that their theories are true because “all truth is God’s truth.” They believe that their theories are included in what is called “general revelation.” In other words, they think that anything they regard as scientific “truth” comes under the umbrella of general revelation and is from God. Their belief about general revelation, however, is not accurate since general revelation has only one overall purpose – to reveal God to us (Ps. 19.1; Rom. 1.18-21). Any study of creation that goes beyond revealing that God exists and is to be feared, misuses God’s general revelation …

Christian psychologists and other integrationists claim to take the best of both worlds and integrate them into a hybrid system. They compare it to what they call “spoiling the Egyptians.” The problem is when the nation of Israel left Egypt, they took gold, silver, and jewels from the Egyptians. Integrationists are taking humanistic philosophies and ideas. There’s a world of difference.

Again, I’m not questioning their desire to help people but they have had years of teaching and training in the area of psychology and often very little in the Bible. They may pray at the beginning and throw in a Bible verse here and there, but practically speaking, most are Christians practicing psychology. As opposed to Christians sharing biblical truth.

Perhaps without realizing it, most have adapted a combination of errors from Freud, Maslow, Erikson, and others.

And when you say the Scriptures are not enough, you are saying that Christ is not enough.

Change & Christian Maturity

Of course, as I said before, therapy can make people feel better—at least, temporarily. But does it truly change them?

Ed Bulkley in Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology asks:

Do they become more like Christ? Are they led into Christian maturity? Are their thought and behavior patterns brought into conformity to God’s Word? And if they are unbelievers, are they presented with the gospel? Those should be the tests of effectiveness for Christian counseling.

Much of the counseling I do is also evangelism, sharing the gospel while offering hope and showing from the Scriptures that God has answers.

The Apostle Paul’s Counsel

How did the apostle Paul counsel people in his day? Paul himself answers that in Colossians 1:28:

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”

He then warns us in Colossians 2:8:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

How Psychology Affects the Spread of the Gospel & Progressive Sanctification

So, how does psychology affect the spread of the gospel and, I would add, progressive sanctification?

People come to counselors, pastors, and friends looking for help because they have problems. Their problems may be the consequences of past or current choices. Or they may be the result of living in a fallen world.

But these are the very things God wants to use to show them their need for a relationship with Him or, in the case of believers, areas where they need to change and grow (Rom. 8.28-29; Heb. 12.5-11; Jas. 1.2-4). C.S. Lewis said that pain is often God’s megaphone. But instead, people are taught they must turn to psychology rather than looking to God.

They are given the world’s answers and principles.

Unbiblical Answers

Women are often taught that submission is outdated or chauvinistic. Marriages are destroyed in the search for self-esteem and self-fulfillment. Others become bound up in bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness when they are told they are merely victims. 

Patterns of sin are labeled diseases and disorders (alcoholism, oppositional defiance disorder, anxiety disorder), instead of what the Bible calls them (drunkenness, pride, rebellion, sinful fear, etc). Instead of being called to repentance, those labels provide people with self-defeating excuses for their behavior.

Men and women suffering from traumatic events are labeled with PTSD. So, instead of helping them view those events through the lens of Scripture and the sovereignty of God, they are told their anger and fear are justified.

Licensed therapists and psychologists who are believers have to play by the rules of the state and by their certifying organizations. They are often told that it’s unethical to press their beliefs on their clients. But Matthew 28.19-20 tells us to share the gospel. And as C.S. Lewis said, pain is often God’s megaphone.

Labels may make someone feel understood but we must go beyond understanding to the ultimate, life-changing answers. And again … “If sin isn’t the problem, Jesus isn’t the answer.”

Note: As I said in an earlier post, I’m not denying the existence of genuine diseases of the brain. Neither am I saying that labels such as PTSD can’t identify a set of symptoms nor that the suffering isn’t real. But I am saying that those symptoms still need to be viewed through a biblical lens and responded to God’s way.

Free Indeed

Whether believers or unbelievers, when people embrace the full scope of the gospel and receive God’s forgiveness, they can be free by forgiving their offenders with the forgiveness with which they have been given.

Instead of adult children of alcoholics or a host of other labels, they can have a new label:

Victor. More than conqueror. Redeemed person. Child of God.

The Bottom Line

When people are told that the Bible cannot guide them in their day-to-day lives, they have every reason to doubt that it can lead them to eternal life. Only in eternity will we fully understand the impact of these worldy philosophies which have come into the church as psychology, Christian or otherwise. 

Helpful Resources on Psychology & Biblical Counseling

If you’d like to know more about this subject you can check out these resources:

Psychologized Man by Martha Peace

Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology by Ed Bulkley

PsychoBabble by Richard Ganz

 A Christians Guide to Psychological Terms by Marshall & Mary Asher

And if you would like to know more about biblical counseling or where to find a counselor in your area, you can visit the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors website.

If you found this information helpful, I hope you will share it on your favorite social media platform. ♥

Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna

*Some information in this series from:

Psychologized Man by Martha Peace

Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology by Ed Bulkley

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