Bishop T.D. Jakes called Christians back to the Bible over the weekend, and then confused them as to which bible they should rely on by employing a guest speaker from the ‘other’ bible, the DSM-IV.1 The “Back II Bible Conference” was held May 16 thru 18, and featured Dr. Cynthia James, who is a Christian psychologist. As there is no such thing as Christian psychology, this means that Dr. James dispenses scripture mingled with psychological therapy when she counsels Christians on living a Christian life. This counseling is more accurately termed Psychoheresy2 because it supplements God’s word with the perverted wisdom of men.
When famous church leaders turn over their pulpits to these counselors, the they turn their flock over to wolves in sheep’s clothing who, at best, give them a compromised plan to live their lives by, and, at worst, tempt them into seeking answers from psychotherapy instead of the Bible.
Today, however, fewer and fewer pastors can discern the danger, and Dr. James gets some of the credit for that too. Her credentials from her speaker’s bio states that she “provides oversight for the credentialing, counseling, and pastoral care of approximately 140 pastors and ministers” who most likely have been inducted into Psychoheresy themselves.3
Dr. James is also the pastor of Landmark Ministries Church of God, Oakland, California, where they obviously skip the Bible’s teaching against women pastors. No doubt, however, that James would be what one might call a dynamic speaker; which is the real criterion for so many of these conference speakers today. And that’s really back to the future, not back to the Bible.
Notes:
I am sorry that you have so many issues with Dr James. However I attended the conference and found her ministry refreshing… Isn’t it enough to know that this country allows us to have differeing veiws on faith? Isn’t that what the founding fathers wanted? Why must all of us conform to your interpretation of scripture or face such wrathful communications. The bible speaks of transformation of the mind. The word there is psche which is greek word from which we derrive psychology! If we study all other parts of the body…. lungs kidneys, livers, should we not study the mind. We do not have scripture to support psychology but we do know that Luke was a physician. He treated the body. Jesus picked him. I have one question for you. Is the mind ( brain) a part of the body?
On behalf of the American Association of Christian Counsellors and its 7000 members, maybe you should rethink yoru stance, just a little.
David T
David,
If you had a problem with any of the organs that you mentioned- lungs, kidneys, liver, brain – would you hire some one to talk to them in order to affect a cure? These are organic organs that can respond to medication and, in extreme instances, surgery. Christians are not prohibited from seeking such care when the need arises. What you call the “mind” is also referred to as the “heart” from which springs the thoughts and intents of man, and God tells us that it is exceedingly wicked (Jer 17:9), and we know why this is so. Our thoughts are wicked not because of something called a “mind” that is sick; we have evil imaginations because we are sinners.
Psychology represents a multitude of philosophies and methods derived from the hearts of sinners, and the best that they can accomplish is to help a sinner live an orderly sinful life. For the unredeemed, unrepentant sinner this is the best that he can hope for: as smooth a ride as possible on the way to Hell. That is the only power in psychotherapy, and it is not for the Christian.
Instead, we are admonished to:
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Col 2:8)
The word “spoil” here means to rob or take for plunder you, and your faith and hope in Christ, so that you will be brought into the bondage or subservience to these men and their ideas for your life.
Our behavior should be this:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2Co 10:5)
Which means, basically, this:
“Every power of thought in the pagan world; all the systems of philosophy and all forms of opinion among people; all the purposes of the soul; all the powers of reason, memory, judgment, fancy in an individual, were all to come under the laws of Christ, All doctrines were to be in accordance with his will; philosophy should no longer control them, but they should be subject to the will of Christ. All the plans of life should be controlled by the will of Christ, and formed and executed under his control – as captives are led by a conqueror. All the emotions and feelings of the heart should be controlled by him, and led by him as a captive is led by a victor …. The strongholds of philosophy, paganism, and sin should be demolished, and all the opinions, plans, and purposes of the world should become subject to the all-conquering Redeemer.” [Barnes]
I hope this helped,
David
i thank God for real christians that teach and interpret the word ofGOD,as it should be,so many people are being lured away from the faith in christ alone ,and they look to these false teachers of the word of god ,like doson,td jakes and the list goes on, no wonder AMERICA IS IN SUCHSPIRITUAL CRISIS,BUT OUR LORD ALSO WARNS US OF THIS ,NOT TO BE DISCOURAGE ,BECAUSE ALL THIS IS SIGNS OF THE TIMES ,
The Bible says we are in this world, but not of it. I interpret this to mean that although we are made in the image of God, and therefore spirit-beings for God is a spirit, we are also flesh and blood. I find it hard to believe that Mr. Dansker argues that mental illness cannot be treated by medication or therapy; that those diagnosed with bipolar syndrome, for example, need only go to church to be delivered. I presume he would be in favor of those exorcisms and deliverance ministries that “beat the devil” out of people. And what about autistic children? I guess we should “beat the devil out of them also since he sees no role for behavior modification therapy in the life of a Christian. I think Mr. Dansker takes a dangerous position about mental illness and is short-sighted in his belief that psycho-therapy, and Christian counseling are mutually exclusive. Just as Christian apologists who are also scientists can teach on both Creationism and the scientific origins of the universe, Christian Psychology is only a contridiction in terms to those who deny that we are in this world, although not of it.
Beverly
“Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand behavior and mental processes by researching and establishing both general principles and specific cases”
Yes there is such a thing as Christian Psychology, I wish you would understand the basics of what psychology is before you start bashing it. there is new age ideology which people like Dr. Phil subscribe to then the christian based psychology, is guided by biblical principles and doctrines. Jesus said be in the world but not of it…we are to undesrtamd aspect of humanity and not be guided by our carnal nature.
I just wish Christians stop generalizing things like denying ALL evolution as bad because MACRO evolution is wrong while disregarding evolution within a species (micro evolution.
As a Christian Lifecoach/counselor I find the understanding of human behavior and mind helpful in setting people free. its nothing that I do but allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work and I just use the wisdom He has given me and the knowledge I have aquired over time.
As for women church Leaders, I guess you haven’t heard of Prophet Deborah or Abigail in the NT (a deacon). you would also understand one of the reason the church has been able to be effective on the mission field accross the world is because of women who have been able to have the hunger and thirst for the glory of God and are /were willing to take the gospel to the 4 corners of the earth while men we are ignorant enough to be consumed by leading a small local church and be content with tittles and position…GET OVER YOURSELVES and start supporting youur sisters in Christ who are doing the job thats yours as MEN. I am sick and tired of these males running around whining instead of being the MEN GOD CALLED you to be!!!!
Sorry for the rant…but I really am not apologizing for what I said but the tone
Beverly,
I missed notification of you comment or I would have responded when you made it. I am sorry about that; I would have clarified that I do not argue against treating diseases with medications for which there are organic causes. I don’t even argue against treating diseases with medications that appear to successfully affect relief or cures until the cause can be identified.
What I am against is Psychotherapy as a solution for problems with living for the Christian. I am also against so called “Christian Counseling” unless that counseling comes from a Christian or pastor relying exclusively on the Bible, and at no charge to the Christian.
There is no such thing as “Christian Psychology.” The two separate doctrines offer competing explanations for the condition of man, the cause of that condition, and how he is to change, and are mutually exclusive.
Pascah,
I responded to your assertion on ‘Christian’ Psychology in my comment above, where I said:
“There is no such thing as ‘Christian Psychology.’ The two separate doctrines offer competing explanations for the condition of man, the cause of that condition, and how he is to change, and are mutually exclusive.”
To address your other contentions I am giving you one FREE admission to our conference series the Church of What’s Happening Now where these topics will be dealt with in their turn. I hope you enjoy the conference,
David
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
Alright then, If you saved your receipt you can have a full refund. If not, I’ll give you blog credit: you can read two more articles at no charge. If you really are a top-self wit, try our parent site: TheNewsBeats.com
Regards,
David