Why We Will Need Theology Not Psychology in the Aftermath
“In the aftermath of (you fill in the crisis), psychologists will be available for all who may be suffering stress or depression, as a result of these events,” is how it is usually stated. The fact is that we are needy people in a messed up world.
The proliferation of mental and emotional therapy has only meant a greater proliferation still. There is rarely, if ever, a cure for what ails us. In fact, with the added jargon to our vocabularies, we are apt to diagnose others, “Bob is passive aggressive; Mary’s child is ADHD; Ahmed is bi-polar.”
The United States has more psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors than the rest of the world combined. We are the most medicated generation in the history of our country. Arguably, we have more crazy lunatics than any place at any time.
Sadly, Christians have joined with this mental quest to analyze and treat our mental ailments using this worldly discipline. Seminaries formerly produced pastor/theologians. Today, these institutions produce equivalent numbers of men and women graduates in the field of Biblical and Christian counseling. Larger churches even have these people on their pastoral staff.
Psychology and Christian theology are focused on two different people. Psychology is focused on “me,” that is, self. Christian theology is focused on Jesus Christ. Because Christians have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), we set our minds on the things above, not on the things of earth (Col 3:2). Christ Jesus is our focus (Heb 12:2) because He Himself is our peace (Eph 2:14).
To know Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection gives the Christian hope and a future (Jer 29:11; Phil 3:10). His perfect love for His chosen people casts out all our fears (1 Jn 4:18). His love never fails (1 Cor 13:8), nor does His will (Eph 1:11).
The mind of Christ is the mind set on the Spirit (Rom 8:6). This is the life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45), who fills the Christian mind with God’s Word of truth. He daily renews the believer, by resetting the focus to the Bible, where Christ, who is our life is revealed (Eph 4:23). Therefore, the support group of the saint is comprised of those with the same mind, united in the same Spirit (Phil 2:2).
The self is a sinner separated from the life of God. There are no answers, no solutions in the pursuit to understanding self. The end of psychology is greater self-esteem, which is considered healthy. The Bible calls self-confidence and esteem…pride. Those who have an elevated view of self are loving and trusting in themselves. The Christian knows this is an error.
The Bible teaches us not to trust in ourselves or to lean on our own understanding (Prv 3:5). We are to put no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3), for the mind set on the flesh is death (Rom 8:6). The natural man can do no other because he does not have the Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 2:14).
The Holy Spirit is our therapist. He alone guides us into all truth (Jn 16:13). Jesus Himself calls the Spirit “Helper” and “Comforter” (Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26). He alone has the will and ability to accomplish what concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8). The Bible is filled with mental and emotional directives, “Be anxious for nothing (Phil 4:6); Be content with what you have (Phil 4:11); Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom 12:2); Be not afraid (Is 41:10; Mt 14:27); Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought (Rom 12:3); etc.
The sanctification of the saint, as an exclusive work of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2), includes the mind. God intends for the Christian’s mind to be holy as the mind of God is holy (1 Pet 1:15-16). We are to meditate on God’s Word day and night (Ps 1:2), so that the Spirit may bring to remembrance the promises of God in the day of trouble.
Through the Covid-19 pandemic, many suffered fear, anxiety, depression and the stress of newfound economic troubles. Some turned to suicide in the hope of relief, only to find themselves in the confines of hell, waiting for the resurrection of the body to judgment (Jn 5:25–29), leading to eternal punishment (Jude 7). This is to be feared without measure.
Will your psychologist explain the fall of man? Will he explain the ravages of sin in our world system, even our own minds? Will your psycho-therapist issue the knowledge of Jesus Christ as the remedy? The answer to all of these questions is “No.” A further investigation into your sinful self will never bring a healthy resolution to one’s mental and emotional troubles.
God calls all men everywhere to forsake themselves, to die to self (Lk 9:23; Rom 8:13; 1 Pet 3:18). Everyone is commanded to turn to and trust Jesus Christ (Acts 17:30). The prescribed therapy from the heavenly journal of mental health (The Bible) is for one to take up his own cross daily (Lk 9:23). The death of self is liberating, and it is only obtained by irresistible grace from God.
May God convince you that theology, not psychology, is to be pursued in the present crisis and in the aftermath. Here is the medicine for our souls, heart and mind…Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
November 17, 2022
