Post by Cindy on Dec 15, 2016 11:32:20 GMT -5
“Claiming to be neutral scientists with no interest in the supernatural and no reason to study the demonic, most psychologists tend to assume that devils are nonexistent,” an integrationist writes. In contrast, the same writer says that some theological critics of psychology believe that “psychological methods, concepts and conclusions are channels through which Satanic, occult and Eastern mystical influences enter Western society.” He admits that “there is evidence that occult practices have been accepted by a large and perhaps growing number of psychological professionals”. He states that clinical psychologist Ralph Metzner “observed that I Ching, Tantra, Tarot, alchemy, astrology and other occult practices could be useful for producing mental health and giving meaning to life.” He points out that Carl Rogers is accused of introducing occult concepts into psychology.
Some Christian psychologists see no incompatibility between yoga, hypnotism, chanting, and Christianity. Having accepted the idea that psychology is a value-neutral science, integrationists often include unbiblical theories and methods in their own counseling practices.
Psychologists call meditation, guided imagery, and visualization forms of altered states of consciousness. Bill Zika writes, “During the past decade, a great deal of attention has been focused on the application of meditation, hypnosis, and other consciousness-altering techniques to psychotherapeutic outcomes.”
What are we talking about when we discuss altered states of consciousness, visualization, and guided imagery? According to E.L. Hillstrom, Associate Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College, many of these concepts are doctrines of Eastern religions:
Many have also adopted a modified theory of evolution which proposes that men are evolving mentally and even now are on the threshold of a revolutionary change. These changes would include new (or newly discovered) mental powers such as telepathy, psychokinesis (the ability to move objects by mental powers alone), the ability to enter into altered states of consciousness, to heal physical disorders in others by mental means, the ability to experience other “spiritual realities” (i.e., to contact spiritual beings), or even the ability to separate at will from one’s body.
Hillstrom says that mystical experiences can cause a variety of phenomena, and that “the varied altered states may also provide mystical and transcendent experiences in which supernatural forces or beings may be sensed, seen, or even communicated with.” Hillstrom believes that these supernatural beings are demonic in nature:
From a Christian perspective these developments within the consciousness movement are unsettling because the “spirit guides” sound hauntingly similar to demons, and the “spiritual evolution” they presumably promise seems to be no more than an elaborate scientific cover-up for one more diabolical attempt to deceive and destroy. The movement, whose stated goal is to unite science and religion, is apparently attracting fairly substantial numbers of educated men and women who may perceive it as a way to satisfy their spiritual longings without meeting the costly demands of Christianity. Christians should certainly be made aware of the potential implications and dangers of this new area of study.
When our understanding of the very nature of man is derived from New Age psychologies rather than the Scriptures, confusion is inevitable. The Bible addresses such confusion when it says, “For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water” (Isaiah 32:6). When all they receive is psychological counsel, hurting people whose souls hunger and thirst for the healing truths of God’s Word go away in greater pain. Peter puts it this way: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves” (2 Peter 2:1).
Bulkley, E. (1993). Why Christians can’t trust psychology
And this was written in 1993!!!! We'd have to be blind to not realize that everything said here has come into psychology and is fully accepted and used now on a regular basis! We are not to put our faith in the philosophies of this world, but instead to put our faith in God and His Word. When a believer goes to the world to help them solve their problems instead of going to God and His Word, they are going backwards because God's ways are always the opposite of the worlds ways. Why would someone who knows the Lord, put their faith in another human being? God tells us in no uncertain terms that to trust ourselves or to trust another human to help us is to be a fool.
Some Christian psychologists see no incompatibility between yoga, hypnotism, chanting, and Christianity. Having accepted the idea that psychology is a value-neutral science, integrationists often include unbiblical theories and methods in their own counseling practices.
Psychologists call meditation, guided imagery, and visualization forms of altered states of consciousness. Bill Zika writes, “During the past decade, a great deal of attention has been focused on the application of meditation, hypnosis, and other consciousness-altering techniques to psychotherapeutic outcomes.”
What are we talking about when we discuss altered states of consciousness, visualization, and guided imagery? According to E.L. Hillstrom, Associate Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College, many of these concepts are doctrines of Eastern religions:
Many have also adopted a modified theory of evolution which proposes that men are evolving mentally and even now are on the threshold of a revolutionary change. These changes would include new (or newly discovered) mental powers such as telepathy, psychokinesis (the ability to move objects by mental powers alone), the ability to enter into altered states of consciousness, to heal physical disorders in others by mental means, the ability to experience other “spiritual realities” (i.e., to contact spiritual beings), or even the ability to separate at will from one’s body.
Hillstrom says that mystical experiences can cause a variety of phenomena, and that “the varied altered states may also provide mystical and transcendent experiences in which supernatural forces or beings may be sensed, seen, or even communicated with.” Hillstrom believes that these supernatural beings are demonic in nature:
From a Christian perspective these developments within the consciousness movement are unsettling because the “spirit guides” sound hauntingly similar to demons, and the “spiritual evolution” they presumably promise seems to be no more than an elaborate scientific cover-up for one more diabolical attempt to deceive and destroy. The movement, whose stated goal is to unite science and religion, is apparently attracting fairly substantial numbers of educated men and women who may perceive it as a way to satisfy their spiritual longings without meeting the costly demands of Christianity. Christians should certainly be made aware of the potential implications and dangers of this new area of study.
When our understanding of the very nature of man is derived from New Age psychologies rather than the Scriptures, confusion is inevitable. The Bible addresses such confusion when it says, “For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water” (Isaiah 32:6). When all they receive is psychological counsel, hurting people whose souls hunger and thirst for the healing truths of God’s Word go away in greater pain. Peter puts it this way: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves” (2 Peter 2:1).
Bulkley, E. (1993). Why Christians can’t trust psychology
And this was written in 1993!!!! We'd have to be blind to not realize that everything said here has come into psychology and is fully accepted and used now on a regular basis! We are not to put our faith in the philosophies of this world, but instead to put our faith in God and His Word. When a believer goes to the world to help them solve their problems instead of going to God and His Word, they are going backwards because God's ways are always the opposite of the worlds ways. Why would someone who knows the Lord, put their faith in another human being? God tells us in no uncertain terms that to trust ourselves or to trust another human to help us is to be a fool.
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