2 Opposing Doctrines: Man’s Wisdom of Psychology vs God’s Wisdom of Scripture- Part 1

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Today I thought we’d get controversial. Not for the sake of mere controversy, but because I think it’s something the church as a whole should take some time and effort dealing with this topic. And that is: where should the Church draw the line between the observations of man, the sciences, and God’s Word? 

Now I bring this up because we just went through Jennie Allen’s bible study on Philippians, in which she uses positive psychology to introduce psychotherapeutic techniques to address a problem she believes women in God’s church struggle with, and that is “spiraling downward” in our thoughts. If you haven’t listened to the critique, I suggest that you do as I take you step by step through the book looking at certain claims she makes and comparing them to Scripture. Link is in the show description.

Jenny Allen’s book “Get Out Of Your Head: A Study in Philippians” uses Scripture along with certain positive psychological tenets to solve the problem of “being in our heads”. These techniques include things such as mind mapping our thoughts, identifying cognitive distortions, the practice of cognitive reframing, calling us to focus on awe and beauty to diminish the individual self, and the use of “weapons” such as silence, intentionality, connection, humility, etc.

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

So what is Positive Psychology?

I will be reading a lengthy quote from Positive Psychology.com giving an introduction of where positive psychology came from and what it’s focus and goals are. I will interject my own points (in bold) as we go along:

Before World War II, the field of psychology had three clear missions:

• Treat mental illness;
• Make life more productive and fulfilling; and
• Identify and nurture talent.

After World War II,  the Veterans Administration (now the Veterans Affairs) and the National Institute of Mental Health were founded, and the focus of psychology turned almost exclusively towards understanding and treating mental illness.

This focus was incredibly beneficial. More than 14 previously incurable disorders were scientifically researched, and treatments to cure or relieve the symptoms were found (Seligman, 1994).

Psychologists came to understand how people survive and endure adversity, challenges, and trauma. Research about the impacts of divorce, loss of loved ones, sexual and physical abuse, damaged childhoods, damaged brains, and habits exploded (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000).

By adopting a disease model, psychologists made remarkable progress towards discovering how to repair psychological damage. However, psychology’s other missions, to promote productive, meaningful lives and nurture talent, were left unattended.

Martin Seligman is considered the father of positive psychology. He tells the following story of a central moment during 1998, a few months before he was elected president of the American Psychological Association (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000, p. 5-6):

“I was weeding the garden with my 5 year old daughter Nikki. She was throwing weeds, singing, and dancing while I was actually trying to get the weeding done. I yelled at her, she walked away, then came back and said:

Daddy, do you remember before my fifth birthday? I was a whiner. I whined every day. When I turned five I decided not to whine anymore. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And if I can stop whining, you can stop being such a grouch.”

He realized that raising children is not about fixing and correcting what’s wrong with them, but identifying and enhancing their strongest qualities and what they do best and helping them find the environments that allow them to play out their strengths and live productive, fulfilled lives. -Notice the goal of positive psychology is to promote the strongest qualities and what they do best (self- esteem oriented) to help them find environments to live those strengths out, and to live  productive, fulfilled lives. 

Scripture has something to say about our strengths, and how we live not only fulfilled and productive lives but lives that are holy and reflect the glory of God. Does Positive Psychology have the same goal? Do they want to encourage individuals to glorify God? Let’s continue reading…

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi also acknowledged the need for positive psychology. During World War II in Europe, he witnessed successful and confident men become helpless and hopeless as their social support vanished. As they lost their jobs, money, and status, they also lost their sense of meaning in life.

Amid the chaos and turmoil, however, a few people kept their integrity and purpose. Their serenity provided hope for others. This got Csikszentmihalyi wondering what sources of strength enabled these people to hold on to their sense of hope (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000).

Philosophy, history, and religion failed to provide him with the answers he was looking for. He found that these disciplines were too subjective and abstract. However, he recognized a possible solution to his questions in the field of psychology—a discipline that deals with the fundamental issues of life with the simplicity of the natural sciences (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). 

In the 1950s, psychology was not a recognized discipline. In Italy, where Csikszentmihalyi lived, it was only possible to study psychology as a minor while pursuing a major in medicine or philosophy. So he moved to the United States, where psychology had become established as a science.

This period in psychology is known as the culmination of behaviorism (Cravens, 1991). During this period, psychology and behavior were being taught as “value-free branches of statistical mechanics” which was a lens Csikszentmihalyi struggled to reconcile with the rich displays of human integrity and values he witnessed among the most resilient during the war. He, therefore, sought a science of human beings that could piece together “what is and what could be” (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000, p. 7).

Fast forward a decade, and humanistic psychologists like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers (1979) brought a new perspective to psychology. Parting ways with Freud and behaviorism, this approach emphasized the innate drive in all human beings to self-actualize and to express their capabilities and creativity.– so let’s look a little at self-actualization: Self-actualization, in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, is the highest level of psychological development, where personal potential is fully realized after basic bodily and ego needs have been fulfilled.

Self-actualization was coined by the organismic theorist Kurt Goldstein for the motive to realize one’s full potential: “the tendency to actualize itself as fully as possible is the basic drive … the drive of self-actualization.”^[1] Carl Rogers similarly wrote of “the curative force in psychotherapy – man’s tendency to actualize himself, to become his potentialities … to express and activate all the capacities of the organism.”(Wikipedia on Self-actualization) Basically, Self-actualization is making claims about oneself and one’s potential and bringing it into fuition. One self-actualizes (preforms in life that which he claims about himself) after having certain needs meet which will motivate them to become fulfilled and live out their full potential. 

So notice, that the new perspective on psychology was one that believes that man can and will self actualize when needs are met, motivating them to reach their full potential. Full potential, is a possibility in the wisdom of man. But what does a fulfilled life look like, what does reaching my full potential look like? Is it the same as being holy as God is Holy? 

In Scripture we have revealed to us, by the Holy Spirit, a problem that we all have: we are born dead in tresspasses and sin. This nature that we are born in keeps us from being holy as God has called us to be, therefore placing us as children of wrath instead of children of God. But God in His great mercy also provides the solution; Christ, the perfect spotless lamb who takes the wrath for us and gives us His righteousness, that we receive by faith. We are regenerated, given new hearts to desire to be holy as God is holy and the Holy Spirit to help us walk in the Spirit. (*) 

Do we need Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs met so we can self-actualize and reach our full potential? No. We need Christ. But let’s read more….

Unfortunately, these perspectives lacked a cumulative empirical base, leading to multiple therapeutic self-help movements (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000).

Regardless of the stories and insights that led to the conviction that the time for positive psychology has come, Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi’s message (2000, p. 7) is a timely reminder to the field that:

“Psychology is not just the study of pathology, weakness and damage, it’s also the study of strength and virtue. Treatment is not just fixing what is broken; it is nurturing what is best. Psychology is not just a branch of medicine concerned with illness or health; it is much larger.

It is about work, education, insight, love, growth and play. And in this quest for what is best, positive psychology does not rely on wishful thinking, faith, self-deception, fads or hand-waving; it tries to adapt what is best in the scientific method to the unique problems that human behavior presents to those who wish to understand it in all its complexity.”

At the center of this approach lies the issue of prevention. How can psychologists prevent the problems that so many people experience, like depression, addiction, and anxiety? Such an approach represented a contrast to the disease model that had dominated for fifty years, which had focused on treating psychological ill-being after its onset and largely failed to move psychology closer to the prevention of these issues.

In fact, some of the major steps towards prevention were focused on building competency, not on correcting weaknesses. Certain human strengths can act as buffers (see psycap) against psychological illness, including:

• Courage;
• Future mindedness;
• Optimism;
• Faith;– faith in WHO? Ourselves- looking at our strengths, virtues, and capacities to reach our potential?
• Work ethic;
• Hope;
• Honesty; and
• Perseverance.-now, I just want to note here- does God address any of these things listed? Would He perhaps, having created us, know how to produce these things in a human? But moving on….

Psychologists, therapists, and consultants need to acknowledge that much of the best work they do with their patients and clients is to enhance their strengths, virtues, and capacities, rather than repairing weaknesses. – (again, self-esteem oriented)

Psychologists and practitioners working with families, schools, communities, and institutions need to develop environments that promote these strengths.

The time when psychology viewed individuals as passive vessels reacting to stimuli has passed. Individuals are decision-makers, with choices, preferences, and a set of values and strengths that allow them to learn, excel, and hopefully remain resilient in adverse circumstances. 

Positive psychology arose from the need to redirect psychology back to its two neglected missions: to make people stronger and more productive, and to develop and nurture high talent.”  (Positive Psychology, An Introduction; Positive Psychology.com)

So It seems to me that Positive Psychology believes that given the right circumstances, having the right needs met, and the promotion of self, one can make oneself stronger and more productive, more fulfilled. 

Yet God tells us that None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”(Rom.3:10-12)

Jennie Allen must believe that positive psychological techniques are beneficial to our sanctification and our pursuit of Christ-likeness or she would not have included their techniques in this book. 

So let’s look at these techniques she introduces in her book.

MIND MAPPING

1)Technique is Mind-Mapping-

In Session 1, after a brief introduction into the historical background of Philippians, we are directed to our first project (pg. 21-26)- and that is creating a mind map of our most prevalent emotion associated with a list of thoughts that we dealt with that day. What is mind mapping?

Mind mapping is usually used for study and planning, a way to gather ideas, thoughts, and goals on paper, to help bring clarity. It is basically taking an idea, and connecting thoughts, items, goals, etc to them. In this case we take an emotion such as “overwhelmed” and then connect what “spheres” or areas in our lives that affect or might be causing that emotion. Now I have nothing against mapping these things, or even identifying emotions and why we may feel a certain way. But when it comes to a bible study, our thoughts and emotions shouldn’t be the focus. What God has said in Scripture should be the focus and my emotions and thoughts should bow the knee to His Word.

COGNITIVE REFRAMING

2) techniques she introduces is  Cognitive reframing- 

What is Cognitive reframing?

Reframing is a way of changing the way you look at something and, thus, changing your experience of it. It can turn a stressful event into either highly traumatic or a challenge to be bravely overcome. Or, it can depict a really bad day as a mildly low point in overall wonderful life. Or, it can see a negative event as a learning experience.

Reframing is a way that we can alter our perceptions of stressors and, thus, relieve significant amounts of stress and create a more positive life before actually making any changes in our circumstances.(https://www.verywellmind.com/cognitive-reframing-for-stress-management-314487

Jennie introduces this strategy  in Session 3 under the “weapon of Silence” on pg 62-63. It is in taking time to silence the thoughts that we can “rewrite that pattern while taking back the power He has given us. In other words, we can cognitively reframe our situations with the new pattern looking like this : [negative emotion], and [reason] so I will [choice].” (pg 63)

She gives some examples:

[I’m upset](- that’s the emotion), and [I was passed over] (the reason) so I will [choose to remember that God has not forgotten me] (the choice)

Ok, I could encourage that, but that is quite superficial, I would say, and not needed if one has worked at studying the Word. Jesus in His high priestly prayer states:

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

²⁰ “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:13-21)

It is God’s word that is true and by God’s word that we are sanctified and made holy. We can have the word of God in our minds, we can study and we can meditate on it day and night, so that [we] may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then [we] will make [our] way prosperous, and then [we] will have good success (Josh.1:8). Meaning then, that we do not need to reframe our thoughts or situations, but will be so consumed in God’s word that no matter the struggle, or situation we can be content in ALL things as Paul was when he said I have  learned in whatever situation…to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance,  I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil.4:11-13). 

And the more we are in the Word the less we will have these emotions that are not connected to contentment, meaning we will not need to reframe anything, for contentment and joy is the outcome of knowing Christ our Lord.

Take David as an example.David, after all he had been through, I believe would be prime for fear, anxiety, depression and spiraling thoughts, yet what does he chose to do but focus on God’s word in those times? We see clearly his pain and anguish in his writings of the Psalms, and we see what he meditates and thinks upon. He didn’t have to learn how to cognitively reframe his situation to shift perspective, He only proclaims the Glory of God and His faithfulness, worshipping and praising him even in his struggles and need.

AWE AND BEAUTY TO DIMINISH SELF

3) Techniques she introduces is Using Awe to diminish the self

In Session 3, under the “weapon of delight”, Jennie Allen directs us to focus on Awe and beauty. “When researchers studied awe and beauty, they found an interesting connection: when we experience awe, we move toward others in beneficial ways. We are freed from being the center of our own worlds for just a moment, and we become more invested in the well-being of others, more generous, less entitled” (pg 65). To which she citates this statement to the study done by Paul K. Piff titled “Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behavior” presented in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2015, Vol. 108, No. 6, 883–899

Here is the analysis of that study:

Awe is an emotional response to perceptually vast stimuli that transcend current frames of reference. Guided by conceptual analyses of awe as a collective emotion, across 5 studies (N 2,078) we tested the hypothesis that awe can result in a diminishment of the individual self and its concerns, and increase prosocial behavior. In a representative national sample (Study 1), dispositional tendencies to experience awe predicted greater generosity in an economic game above and beyond other prosocial emotions (e.g., compassion). In follow-up experiments, inductions of awe (relative to various control states) increased ethical decision-making (Study 2), generosity (Study 3), and prosocial values (Study 4). Finally, a naturalistic induction of awe in which participants stood in a grove of towering trees enhanced prosocial helping behavior and decreased entitlement compared to participants in a control condition (Study 5). Mediational data demonstrate that the effects of awe on prosociality are explained, in part, by feelings of a small self. These findings indicate that awe may help situate individuals within broader social contexts and enhance collective concern. 

Basically, studies were done to observe behaviors of individuals after experiencing awe and beauty, resulting in behaviors  of increased decision making, generosity, prosocial values, and helpfulness and decreased feeling of entitlement.

While that’s fascinating and all, what about times of struggles, wars, times when death and destruction is all around? How can we become people who are not manipulated by our experiences and serve and love at ALL times? Think: Christ has called us to love even our enemies (Luke 6:27-36), people who desire to hurt us. Do we have to experience awe and beauty to love even them? No. For a Christian the desire to love and serve people even our enemies does not come from experiencing Awe and beauty but comes from loving Christ, desiring to keep His commandments (John 14:15). 

Experience comes in all sorts of forms, but truth remains the same. God’s Word is true regardless of experience, we can and should be guided by truth, not experience and not feelings for both are subjective, and are fleeting. God’s Word is outside of ourselves and never changes.

COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS

4)The 4th technique she introduces, and last that we will look over, is that of identifying cognitive distortions:

What are cognitive distortions?

Cognitive distortions are biased perspectives we take on ourselves and the world around us. They are irrational thoughts and beliefs that we unknowingly reinforce over time.(Article from https://positivepsychology.com/cognitive-distortions/) which she attributes.

This shows up in Session 5 under Project #3. We are directed to “circle the thought patterns and way of thinking that entangle you” and answer questions (pg. 120-122). So please notice that to Positive Psychology and to Jennie Allen these are lies, or irrational beliefs that we can become entangled in.

Here’s what is listed as distortions or irrational thought beliefs that entangle people:

All or Nothing thinking, Mental Filter, Jumping to conclusions, Emotional reasoning, Labelling, overgeneralizing, Disqualifying the Positive, Magnification (catastrophizing) and minimization, Should/must, and Personalization “This is My Fault”.

Now, I’m gonna cause a kerfuffle here when I say this but it can’t be helped. In all of these there is sin that can and should be identified. I want to make a distinction here- these are ways of thinking, something that happens on a regular basis, not the once in a while thought that comes into the mind. I make this distinction because an occasional thought is not necessarily sin, but to be constantly performing some of these patterns show a lack of understanding of the Law or a lack of faith in God.

I also want to note that I have dealt and am still dealing with some of these, so I’m not trying to say that I am perfect and do not struggle with these ways of thinking. But I am saying that in them can be found certain sins to which we, not merely identify and choose to overcome them, but repent and trust Chirst’s sacrifice for them. So let’s take a look at them?

All or nothing thinking

Sometimes called” Is black-and-white thinking”. ” If I’m not perfect I have failed”. ” Either I do it right or not at all”– Sin can be identified if one believes that they can or have reached perfection, or has set their own standards of what is right or wrong. But if we think Biblically, this is a true and right way of thinking. God requires perfect obedience. If even one command is broken all commandments are broken (James 2:10), we are called to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect (Matt 5:48). Obviously we fail at this, but the thinking is not a lie. The cure or solution to this way of thinking is the Gospel.. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God..(2 Corin.5:20-21)

Mental filter

Only paying attention to certain types of evidence. Noticing our failures but not seeing our successes. Perhaps for one there is an awareness of sin there or an expectation of perfection to which the gospel can be preached.

Jumping to conclusions

There are 2 key types of jumping to conclusions:

1- Mind reading – imagining we know what others are thinking, and 2 – fortune telling – predicting the  Future.- Number 1 can be a sin by bearing false witness, coming to a conclusion without all the details, and can become slander if we claim our conclusion is true when it is not. 2-Predicting the future and it not coming to pass is False prophecy.

Emotional reasoning

Assuming that because we feel a certain way, what we think must be true. ” I feel embarrassed so I must be an idiot”– This is sin as we are guided by our emotions instead of guided by God’s word.

Labeling

Assigning labels to ourselves or other people. ” I am a loser”. ” I’m completely useless”. ” They are such idiots”– In regards to this, Sin can result from labeling ourselves Things that do not  align with scripture. In regards to labeling others we sin when labels are given falsely or in hatred, As God calls us not to even call one a fool without reason.

Overgeneralizing

Seeing a pattern based upon a single event, or being overly broad in the conclusions we draw.- this can result in sin  by claiming we are God and can judge the present based on the past. Only God sees all and knows all even the outcome of any and all events.

Disqualifying the positive

Discounting the good things that have happened or that you have done for some reason or another. “That doesn’t count”-  Paul states in 1 Corin. 4:3-5 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵ Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

To make a claim that what someone does or doesn’t do “doesn’t count” is to play God and is a sin, as it is God who will one day judge all the hearts actions of man and will say what did and didn’t count. Paul doesn’t even judge himself, but leaves that up to God. So let God be the judge.

Magnification (catastrophizing)  and minimization

Is blowing things out of proportion –  Catastrophizing-  Or inappropriately shrinking something to make it seem less important.– This is a sin because it is lying.

Should/Must

Using critical words like “should”, “must”, “ought”  Can make us feel guilty, or like we have already failed. If we apply “should” to other people the result is often frustration. 

 I can see unbelieving women struggling with this as one’s moral standard can be seen as merely their opinion to another. For an unbeliever this is sinful as it becomes pharisaical since righteousness apart from Christ is the goal. 

 It is God’s word that has told us what should, must, and ought to be done in this life and His commands are not burdensome for His children (1 John 5:3). To give “should’s” to others can and does bring frustration, if one does not understand the sinful nature of humanity, their own need for forgiveness, and the good news of the Gospel.

 But the thing is…this is not a lie or irrational thoughts if they are based on God’s word and His  instructions on what to do. Question is-why shouldn’t we hold those standards up to people? Why would Jennie look at this as a distortion, irrational thoughts, or entanglements? When the Bible clearly has “should”, “must”, and “ought” throughout it? If one looks at what they believe they “should” do and compare it to Scripture then one can either cast it aside in sin, or accomplish it in love. (I’m talking about Christians here, because this book claims to be a Bible Study assumed to be done by Christian women) Now, I should not lie and so I do what I can to make sure I do not lie. I “ought” to love my neighbor as myself, “must” be holy as God is Holy (Thank God for Christ and His righteousness given to me!), etc. These should’s, must’s, and ought’s ought to make us feel guilty, that is the point of the Law, to show us our guilt before God. But that’s where the Gospel comes in and rescues us from God’s wrath

 So to have these APART from God’s word is a sin, but to have them come from God’s word is a good thing and should be done.- boy I’m actually implementing  this entanglement aren’t  I?

Personalization “This is my fault”

Blaming yourself or taking responsibility for something that wasn’t completely your fault. Conversely, blaming other people for something that was your fault. –  How is someone willing to take responsibility for their part in a problem, an irrational thought, lie, or entanglement? Some people might say those who take responsibility or blame themselves for problems that occurred, when they had nothing to do with it, is one thing. But if one is willing to look and see if they have sinned in some part and take responsibility for their sin, repent and turn to Christ, then isn’t that good? 1John 1:8-10 tells us: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. But let’s think about this a little – – The Bible says even our good deeds are filthy rags to  God. Why is that? Because  even our good deeds are stained with Sinful desires that come from our flesh. If even our good deeds have sins connected to them that means they, apart from Christ, do not stand up to God’s standards. That even when we do good there is something in those deeds that doesn’t measure up to loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and loving neighbor as ourselves,and to which we need to repent. Hence, why we need a righteousness that is apart from our own. A Christian that is maturing is always looking at what might be sin in their lives because it affects their relationship with the Lord. We do not shy away from being confronted with our sin, though at times our flesh wants to defend ourselves, we will take time to ask ourselves if it is true. This is part of what it means to work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), For the fear of God rules over us (Deut.10:12), it is part of taking up our cross, and crucifying our flesh daily to follow Christ. And this is a work of the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:13) who convicts us of sin to which we turn to our Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous, keep His word, and walk as He walked (1 John 1:5-2:6).  

Now of course, the 2nd one- blaming others for something  that was your fault is to lie and is a sin.

CONCLUSION

So, I think it’s good to stop here for today. 

While I did take 3 episodes critiquing Jennie Allen’s Study in Philippians going through her claims, I wanted to hit hard her Psychological techniques, show you how she brought them in, her use of them, and whether or not they were biblically accurate, to answer the question: do we really need them? I hope I made a strong case that the answer is no. 

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,⁴  by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.(2 Pet.1:3-4)

But I believe an even better question to think about is: Is there a problem with mixing Scripture and Positive Psychology and why does Jennie include them? That’s what we will tackle in next week’s episode. It should be interesting.

But until then… I pray you are in His word.