christian psychology

[Dedicated Mind]

can anyone recommend some good books on christian psychology or psychology in general?

do you think many problems within the church can be solved through psychology or are the problems spiritual or a combination? can anyone describe any problems that were resolved through psychology?

would you describe joel osteen's preaching as christian psychology?

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

can anyone recommend some good books on christian psychology or psychology in general?

do you think many problems within the church can be solved through psychology or are the problems spiritual or a combination? can anyone describe any problems that were resolved through psychology?

I can't contribute any literature, but I will say the problems are a combination of both, yet some mask them as solely spiritual or psychological. Not both.

I would equate the benefits and use of Bible-based psychology to the benefits and use of an exposition of the Bible. If we want to know about something, disect it thoroughly...

[HRea]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

can anyone recommend some good books on christian psychology or psychology in general?

I'm currently reading "Apostolic Counseling" by Lynda Allison Doty. The book so far is excellent. I also have a self-paced course called "Christian Counseling from Scripture" but haven't dived into it yet. Both are Apostolic/Pentecostal based.

One of the points that Sis. Doty makes is that much of the Christian Counseling these days are actually the same as that in the World but with different labels, etc. Just because a counselor is a Christian doesn't make them Christian Counselors. Really, we should be looking to Jesus and His Word for answers to psychological questions and problems instead of the world.

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

do you think many problems within the church can be solved through psychology or are the problems spiritual or a combination? can anyone describe any problems that were resolved through psychology?

Many of the problems we experience or deal with comes from within and are the result of trying to have both the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and this world. Paul plead with the Church in Romans 12:2 to be renewed in our minds.

Many other problems come from being undisciplined, lukewarm in our faith and devotions, serving man's law and traditions, and taking advice from folks who haven't taken (or refuse to take) the problem to God in prayer before answering, but instead give answers from our their wisdom.

Most psychological problems are real. Some are true mental disorders, some are physical/chemical imbalances, and others are truly spiritual. We need the mind and leading of Christ to get to the real answer and liberty from our torments.

[Dedicated Mind]

great post hrea, i really enjoyed your evaluation of christian problems. has a lot of insight.

[Austin]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

can anyone recommend some good books on christian psychology or psychology in general?

do you think many problems within the church can be solved through psychology or are the problems spiritual or a combination? can anyone describe any problems that were resolved through psychology?

would you describe joel osteen's preaching as christian psychology?

I think if God can't change how people are because of their personal will being in the way I don't think any human can either. But putting all fun away I do personally believe there are a lot of people who need some type of services under the direction of counseling.

[HRea]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

great post hrea, i really enjoyed your evaluation of christian problems. has a lot of insight.

Thanks, DM.

Everything that the world tries in order to "help us" overcome psychological problems takes something AWAY from us that was healthy. Their way of solving the problem inadvertently effects some part of us that's healthy. Most medications suppress an otherwise normal physiologic mechanism in the body. I'm not arguing against medication, only making an observation of how they work...symptom management through targeted suppression.

But that's not the Lord's way of doing things. In John 10:10, Jesus declared that He's come to give us life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jesus doesn't take away the healthy part with the sick part; He takes the sick part is away and replaced it with the good and healthy. We are no longer victims of those things that used to torment us; we're no longer victims but overcomers through Jesus.

The hardest part in all of this is that the world will try to define sick people by their illnesses. The torments become part of their identity. Rather than giving hope of a permanent deliverance, the illness is embraced as part of who the person is; it becomes part of their identity, part of who they are, almost as a badge of honor. Jesus' deliverance is permanent and perfect, and the lasting effects of His deliverance is the same as when the children of Israel were delivered from Egypt, "ye shall see them again no more forever" (Exodus 14:13).

[Jay]

The parts of pschology that I believe yield the greatest results are studies of temperments and personalities, and how they cause us to relate to one another. Many problems can be avoided if you take a bit of time to understand someone and yourself. It is about knowing the faults and strengths that make us who we are. It will not eradicate all potential for sin, but it can help keep us from setting ourselves up for mistakes, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and situations that could lead to sin.

[Jay]

I have also enjoyed some books about ADD/ADHD.