the BIBLE vs PSYCHOLOGY THE WORD OF GOD vs THE WORDS OF MEN "But I fear, lest by any means, as the
serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,
so your minds should be corrupted from
the simplicity that is in Christ."
2 Corinthians 11:3The author of this article seeks to warn Chris-
tians that when they turn from the Word of God
to the words of men, they are inviting a "corrupt
mind" and a blurred identity. The "bad be-
havior" this article refers to is functional,
having no basis in physically measurable
ailments.In these days of increasing mental and emo-
tional conflict and strain, many people, includ-
ing Christians, have been encouraged to turn
to psychology, psychiatry and psychoanalysis
for the solutions to their problems. This is a
dangerous trend for at least four reasons:FIRST: Because the fields of psy-
chology, psychiatry and psy-
choanalysis are highly speculative,
radically experimental and anti-
biblical in their basic theoretical
suppositions;
SECOND: Because the accepted
authorities in these fields start
from the unscriptural and anti-
biblical theory of evolution, deny-
ing man's present spiritual need
and eternal existence;THIRD: Because these pro-
grams, including so- called "Chris-
tian Psychology," invariably result
in giving the changing theories of
men precedence over the unchang-
ing Word of God;FOURTH: Because it leads peo-
ple to seek the solutions to their
problems apart from submission
to the Word of God and the Spirit
of God, leaving them with a false
hope and a rude awakening.Consider the answers to these questions...
MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT AM I? THE BIBLE SAYS... ...THE CREATION OF GOD WITH BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT.
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God
your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blame-
less unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians
5:23. See also Genesis 1:26; 2:7.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... ...A CREATURE OF EVOLUTION WITH BODY, MIND AND
PERSONALITY. "Another very important influence came from
Darwin and the theory of evolution. For if all animals are blood
relatives in respect to bodily structure must they not be the same
in respect to behavior and mentality?"-- Dr. Robert S. Woodworth
"Darwin...kept a diary of his infant son.... This record was one of
the sources for the beginning of modern child psychology."-- Dr. Robert L. Watson
MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT IS MY GOAL IN LIFE? THE BIBLE SAYS... TO GLORIFY GOD. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor-
inthians 6:20. See also 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Psalm 73:24, 26.PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... TO ADJUST TO MY FELLOW MAN. "Of course, to win for one's
self a place in society and so transform one's nature that it is
more or less fitted to this existence, is in every instance an impor-
tant achievement." -- Dr. Carl G. JungMAN'S QUESTION: WHO IS MY SUPREME
AUTHORITY?THE BIBLE SAYS... GOD. "I am the Lord thy God... Thou shalt have no other gods
before me." Exodus 20:2, 3. Also Ephesians 1:4, 11.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... MAN. "...psychotherapists are now permitted by tacit agree-
ment, to set the standard of what is right and wrong."-- Dr. L. B. Lefebre
MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT IS MY STANDARD OF
BEHAVIOUR?THE BIBLE SAYS... THE BIBLE. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... THE NORMS OF SOCIETY. "People whose behavior differs
widely and steadily from social requirements are called 'ab-
normal.' Since societies differ in their requirements, an act that is
normal in one place may be abnormal in another."-- Dr. A. P. Sperling
MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST
OBSTACLE TO ACHIEVING MY GOAL?THE BIBLE SAYS... SIN. "...there is none righteous, no, not one. ...For all have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10, 23.
See also Romans 7:11 and James 4:17.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... BAD BEHAVIOR which falls into three general classifications:
Neurosis, psychosis and mental illness. "If anxieties and confu-
sion therefore seriously interfere with one's life, he is considered
emotionally or mentally ill." -- Dr. Clyde NarramoreMAN'S QUESTION: WHY DOES
"BAD BEHAVIOR" EXIST?THE BIBLE SAYS... A SINFUL HEART. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9.PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... SEX, ENVIRONMENT, POWER DRIVE, CULTURE, ETC. "The
most specific example of the negative effects of religion as a
force of repression and control appears in Freud's discussion of
civilized sexual morality and modern nervousness. He deplores
Western religious controls...which are so rigid and unnatural that
the sexual abilities of individuals is impaired, perverted or
neuroticized." -- Dr. Wayne OatesMAN'S QUESTION: WHAT CAN EFFECTIVELY
CHANGE THIS SINFUL BEHAVIOUR?THE BIBLE SAYS... [ REPENTANCE & ]
FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. "Wherefore, if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. See also
John 3:3, 16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Luke 4:4.PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... FASTENING GUILT ON PARENTS OR SOCIETY; FREEING
REPRESSED DESIRES; DRUGS; PSYCHOANALYSIS; SEN-
SITIVITY TRAINING; GROUP THERAPY; ETC. "And until one
has 'worked through' and resolved his guilt in the face of man-
kind, he is not fully healed and whole." -- Dr. O. H. MowerTHE CHOICE IS YOURS THE HOLY BIBLE --
INSPIRED BY ALMIGHTY GOD
or PSYCHOLOGY --
INVENTED BY SINFUL MANIt is essential to recognize that the BIBLE and
PSYCHOLOGY represent two contradictory
views of God, man, sin, the Bible and eternity.
This makes it impossible to reconcile or com-
bine the two as is being attempted in so-
called "Christian Psychology." Regardless of
the sincerety of the people in these fields, they
literally become the "High Priests of Human-
ism." God's people need to be WARNED!-- B. Pollard
Fundamental Evangelistic Association
P. O. Box 6278 -- Los Osos, CA 93412