Wow! That's a big image! LOL

It took me two hours to read this small book. With nuggets on the back cover from Ed Reid and Lewis Walton, it immediately had my interest.

This book is written by Magna Parks, Ph.D, who is a psychologist.

When challenged by a pastor's sermon to examine modern treatment methods of those involved in psychology and psychiatry, she at first felt hurt but decided that what he had to say had some merit.

Her subsequent study helped her review how she treated patients and led her to adapt Biblical principles instead.

I would LOVE to have a discussion on this! (Perhaps I should follow up on the other book forum...)

HEY GAIL

THIS does sound like a good book

did you get it at the ABC store????

why go to secular help when we have
the best advice in the bible


dgrimm60

Hi, Doug

Yes, I got it at the ABC.

An interesting sidenote on this... The author writes that when she was in school working on her psychology degree, her professor, a Baptist, told her that he had all of EGW's books and that our denomination was "wonderfully blessed with heavenly insights".

There are a couple of challenges connected with the book: first, to acknowledge that secular teachings in the area of psychology ARE indeed pretty well opposite to Biblical teachings, and secondly that God's ways are effective.

I should add that the author writes that the worst cases of mental distress should have medical assistance. That is not the issue.

Thanks for the tip. There are many wolves in the counseling field. Secular counseling generally makes a person's problem worse. Just talking about our problems will turn them into concrete inside a person.

One lady told me that she had prayed for 30-years for God to take away her problem, and He didn't do that. I finally realized that God doesn't take people's problems away.

Many people's problems are merely the consequences of a core issue. What God will do is reveal the root cause of the problem, and lead us to resolve it Biblically.


og

pardon my ignorance, but...

1. Why is secular psychology/psychiatry any more of a threat to Christians than secular cardiology, gynecology, dermatology, orthopedics, or any other area of medical care?

2. What are "God's ways"? of mental health care? I keep looking, but I cannot find a chapter in the Bible on psychology or care of the mind.

aldona

(who suffered from depression for much longer than she needed to, partly because of all the useless advice about avoiding "secular" treatments, and next-to-useless "Christian counselling" she had to endure before finally finding help that WAS helpful)

There is not a chapter in the Bible, but there are many verses that outline principles that have to do with emotional health, such as forgiveness, anger, love, self, relationships, etc.

Why is secular psychology/psychiatry any more of a threat than other secular medical fields? Because you are dealing with people's minds, which contain their spirituality. That is more than just a brain. What the author is objecting to are the spiritual aspects.

Aldona,
I'm with you...posts such as this......well leads me to think ignorance must be bliss for some!

Love those generic statements as if the person is all knowing....

We have been counseling couples and singles in our home for 6 years. In that course of time, we have worked with over 70 cases. We have conducted seminars on relationships around the country, and as I meet people I discover that many of them struggle with spiritual issues that have locked their heart. If a person cannot give & receive love as they were created to do, there is always a reason.

For the majority, that reason will be spiritual or emotional. That is where God alone has the wonderful power to bring freedom to His children. The entire focus of Jesus' ministry was on the hearts of people. The Bible tells us that whatever is in the heart of a person will come out in three ways:

Their language
" actions
" thoughts

Any counseling philosophy that focuses on intellect will by default overlook the center of our life -- our heart. Depression & anger are secondary emotions. They do not exist by themselves. There is always a core issue underneath them. You would be amazed at how many people who struggle with depression have a core issue of bitterness. Lead them in a path of forgiveness, and the consequence of depression goes away. Let me illustrate.

Last winter we counseled with a young girl who had been sexually abused by her father. We helped her identify the pain, understand what she was feeling and led her to resolve it Biblically. We led her to forgive her father and she did. She got a lot of healing in a short time. That is important. Thirteen today, when she reaches twenty she will probably get married. Forgiveness is VERY important, for if she hasn't forgiven her father she will demonstrate anger towards her husband. Over 75% of women who have experienced sexual abuse will divorce. Unresolved bitterness will mess up a person's marriage and relationships throughout life. It leads to a lonely bitter life, and ultimately suicidal thoughts. This is one of the fruits of secular counseling (see the Hans Eysenck study for a methodological treatment of the problems with secular counseling)

I was summoned to court by the case worker for this young girl because he didn't want her talking about forgiveness. In short the state doesn't believe a person can change and they literally want you (if abused) to hate the person who damaged you. The state was asking a judge to place the girl in foster care because the mother had brought her to me instead of a licensed counselor.

I spoke with the lawyer who was handling the case, via a telephone call. He listened for a long time as I explained what we do. He said "Wow. You do way more than most counselors." I kind of expected that. Over the last six years, there have been 10 professionsal counselors come to a Biblical counselor like myself, asking how to counsel. These are people who have spent 40k on a degree to learn how to counsel. The judge ruled in favor of the girl staying with her mother.

Go do the right thing,


oG

(thanks for the good thread Gail)

Maybe the answer to the problem would be to get licensed. I have half of the requirements as far as classes and clinical training to be licensed as a certified counselor. Sure it is a long road . But it might well be worth it.

If it were a problem I might consider it.

oG

Personally, all the therapy I've had in the past, secular or Christian, does not compare with the joy, strength, wisdom and courage that I've received by meditating on God's Word.

Just my experience.

There is a time for everything. If indeed the secular or any therapy that deals with the mind is contrary to the peace that God offers, I am interested to know how.

And- any method can be abused. God's Word can be used in a mean-spirited way to dishonour Him and harm others.

I am interested in learning more!

The only remedy for our physical, mental, and spiritual woes is the remedy that God has provided: the merits of Christ. Claiming the merits of Christ, moment by moment, brings into the life pardon and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. "Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits, we appropriate the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Testimonies, Vol,5,744.

"Faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin." Faith and Works,100,101.

sky

"Through the merits of Christ we may find the approval of God." Our Father Cares,122.

When we know we have God's approval, all is at rest and the love of God implants in the heart a joy that nothing earthly can destroy, life-giving, health-giving joy! See Ministry of Healing,115.