I reject two things in my current understanding/experiences of my path in evangelical Christianity, that are seemingly contradictory. The first is that I reject the hostility toward all sciences, from biology to psychology, including philosophy and thought. The idea is that the Bible is so worthy of worship, that no other area of thought, study, progress, research, etc., is worth looking at, for what I assume is nothing but unnecessary fear. (I do, of course, believe the Bible is the Word of God, and this has not changed by any means. I also still mostly consider myself an evangelical Christianity, at least for now– so I am analysing myself as well as others.)
Specifically, the area of psychological study, is looked at as something that Christians should not pursue, because the Bible is ample for curing serious illnesses, and other such nonsense.
On the other hand, I reject the use of pseudo-psychology in order to replace Scripture. This is the one I’m going to elaborate on.
I just got done taking an online quiz about motives, which is part of a program that is used to promote healthy relationships, and to be self-aware, in hopes of learning to understand others. The quiz was personality based, and at the end it gave me a “colour” that is my supposed personality. These quizzes, of course, are all over the internet and are used for all sorts of personality analysing. But, yet, almost all of them contain warnings to be taken with a grain of salt, that they’re for the purpose of understanding and learning, not to be taken as tried and true methods for healing all things. They do have their purpose, though.
The problem is, the Church has adapted these pseudo-psychological evaluations, and has used them to attempt to save marriages and other relationships. There is a 12-week program that I am aware of where the selling point is that the teachers, a married couple, almost got divorced, but then they did these little tests, learned to put themselves in one anothers’ shoes, and BAM, saw the light, and now maintain a healthy relationship.
Err.
It is my opinion that the Bible has a wealth of information on marriage, in fact, one of the main ’selling points’ of the Bible is that if you love each other like Christ loves the Church, if you serve, and give, and seek to understand, then “BAM you will see the light”. There is no cure-all for sin, of course, not this side of Heaven, but it is quite obvious that God has given us a lot of information about how to sustain and flourish in a healthy marriage.
See the problem here?
While I definitely don’t condemn psychology as the study of mental processes and behaviour, as it’s simply a study of what God has created, and we should not fear it, I do reject the common occurrance of self-help mentality, fix-it programs, that exists in the Church. And this is basic stuff; it is not rocket science, by any means! I don’t necessarily invalidate these good experiences people have had, but the common thought is these ideas are some sort of brand new revelation, some enlightening experience, and no one has ever heard of before.
And, it’s not just in this particular area. I’ve gone into countless Christian bookstores and I’ve seen the wealth of information on how-to learn to pray, how-to save your marriage, how-to become wealthy, how-to have a purpose-driven life, how-to pray like a woman, how-to be a Godly man, how-to blah blah. Where as the Bible doesn’t contain the sort of scientific research that ya know, science, pursues, it definitely contains this basic “milk”. Goodness, I’m not even talking about mental illness, or biologically-medicated needs. I’m talking basic obedience. And it is of my opinion that people would rather write out some sort of 12-step program, with the occasionally Scripture thrown in, than simply obey God.
3 Comments
I think you have captured some very important points here. From what I can see, all the excess stuff (self-help things) are when people make it about themselves instead of making it about God. Today there is a high “what’s in it for me” state of mind.
Scripture does say don’t add or take away from it’s words but I think that referred to the specific books in that it was written.
You did capture one point magnificently. “The idea is that the Bible is so worthy of worship”.
It’s only a book.
Mike, I find you in the strangest places.
Anyway, Hello Lauren, I found you commenting on the Naked Pastor website. I read some of your stuff. I relate very well to the recent post. One of the things I like about science, is it is always proving the bible correct. Nothing wrong with that to me. Also, not using science reminds me alot of this Joke.
“A man was drowning in the water, a boater came by and offered a ride, the man said, ‘No, I am waiting on God to save me.’ Then a man in a canoe, same thing happened. Then a helicopter came, the man refused help again. When he went to heaven, he ask God, “I had faith in you, why didn’t you save me?’ God answered, ‘I sent a boat, a canoe, and a helicopter, what more do you want?’”
The moral being, use what is at hand, more than likely God supplied it. LIke a doctor for instance, to save your life.
I must say I agree wholeheartedly with you, especially the last sentence. This is a very thought provoking entry. I definately enjoyed the read. It’s getting late, but I’d like to elaborate more on this tomorrow sometime.
~*Mel*~