“What is inner healing, and is it biblical?”……"Inner healing" refers to an attempt to free people from the negative emotional effects of harmful experiences. Inner healing has become more popular lately in the Christian community (see our article on Sozo Prayer). "Christian" inner healing practitioners use various techniques that are also used in mysticism, including […]
“What is postmodern therapy, and is it biblical?”……Postmodernism is a worldview opposed to modernism. Rather than rely on scientific fact and a sense of absolute truth, postmodernists believe that:Reality is constructed. Reality does not exist apart from observation. Many Christians fear to engage postmodernism, as it clearly denies absolute truth and espouses relativism. However, certain […]
“What is psychoanalytic theory, and is it biblical?”……Psychology and biblical counseling have a history of opposition. However, there are Christian counselors who use certain techniques found in psychological theories while still giving biblical counsel. The key is to critically evaluate the psychological theory against the truth of the Bible to determine what may be helpful […]
“What is Gestalt therapy, and is it biblical?”……Because psychology is a study of human behavior and cognition, people sometimes view it as a comprehensive theory of humanity. No single psychological theory, however, accounts for the sum of human life. It is only through knowing God that we can come to understand His creation, especially the […]
“What is Jungian analytic psychology, and is it biblical?”……Without a doubt, there are many theories of psychology that are at odds with the Bible. However, it is possible to incorporate certain aspects of secular theory into Bible-based counseling. The key is to compare a psychological theory with the truth of the Bible; ideas and methods […]
“How does psychology work with biblical counseling?”……Secular psychology is based on the teachings of psychoanalysts such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Carl Rogers. Biblical, or NoutheticCounseling, (see study on Nouthetic Counseling) on the other hand, is based squarely on the revealed Word of God. Biblical counseling sees Scripture as sufficient to equip the child […]
“What is existential therapy, and is it biblical?”……Psychological theories are generally based in more pervasive philosophical concepts, such as naturalism or humanism. These underlying philosophies often cause Christians to reject a psychological theory. However, once psychological theories receive some biblical correction, Christian counselors can effectively use them to assist clients. Existential therapy is unique in […]