have a growing new nature. This being true, there are great under standings which are revealed to Christian psychologists, and which naturally are not revealed to psychol ogists who have not been bom again. That is why a brilliant psychologist may give to people some splendid teachings and understandings, and yet be -askew or incorrect about other concepts. The inconsistency is not the fault of God-given psychology. The defect is in the individual. In answer to your question con cerning the application of secular psychology to Christian behavior, I might mention- the following. A sec ular viewpoint of psychology may be correct, and it may apply aptly to Christian or non-Christian behavior. On the other hand it may not. That depends on whether it is true psy chology. If psychological principles are at variance with the Word of God, they are not trae. In my posi tion, I am in contact with some of the world’s greatest psychologists. I am constantly learning new princi ples of psychology. Some of the prin ciples are trae and very helpful. Oth ers are not. I can discriminate be tween them by putting them along side the wonderful Word of God. We are not left to wander through life without a guide. My skill and com petency as an educator and psychol ogist are dependent to a great extent upon my knowledge of the Bible. If I neglect reading and studying it, I will not be able to discriminate effec tively. Most psychologists and psychia trists believe that all behavior is caused and that the causes are multi ple. Christian psychologists agree. It is at this point that Christian and non-Christian psychologists may have much in common. However, Chris tians in the profession are able to go one step further. They realize that not only is all behavior caused,
but there are two sources of causes: natural and supernatural. There are some things in life that cannot scien tifically be explained outside the fact that God or Satan has had a part in them. It seems to me that Freud, Dewey, Thorndike, and others have made some worthwhile contributions to the field of psychology; however, I would by no means accept in total their concepts and philosophies. FLOGGED Q. My oldest daughter, now thirteen years old, doesn’t speak well, and she doesn’t hear well. But she is improv ing slowly. Now this is my problem. She irri tates me a lot. At times she is willing to help with the housework, but some times she just lies around going from bed to bed all over the house. Then when I speak to her she pouts and grumbles. I flog her until I am tired but it doesn’t seem to help. She picks at the younger children and knocks them around without a cause. Can you advise me whether I should or should not notice her and how l should handle her? A. From your description of your daughter, I am led to believe that she may well have some organic and possibly intellectual problems. If so, they are evidently keeping her from cooperating as you would like her to do. Your concern is not that of either noticing or not noticing her. Instead, you should concentrate on securing professional help for your girl. May I suggest a neurologist, psy chiatrist or psychologist. After appro priate tests and diagnosis, you will know what your daughter’s problems really are and what you should do to help her most. In the meantime, treat her with Christian understanding and kindness.
CLEARING CONFUSION Q. I am a college psychology major who is not satisfied with the answers that are given concerning psychology as it is related to Christians. Perhaps you can enlighten me. (1 ) Is there a “Christian” psychology that ap plies only to people regenerated by the Spirit of God? (2 ) To what extent does psychology from a pure secular viewpoint apply to Christian behav ior patterns? (3 ) Some say that the teachings of Freud, Dewey, Thorn dike and others, are anti-God or evo lutionary in nature and cannot be accepted by evangelical Christians. What do you think about this atti tude toward psychology? A. These are certainly intelligent and thought-provoking questions. I wish that I might have several pages in which to answer, but since that is not possible, I will try to touch briefly upon several points. “ The Dictionary of Education” de fines psychology as “ the study of ad justments of organisms, especially the human organism, to changing envi ronment.” This seems like a sound, succinct definition to me. Therefore, I do not believe that there could be a secular psychology and a Christian psychology, and both of them be true and correct. Life is all in one piece. Psychology is also. Basic laws which apply to behavior are not vacillating. They are either true or false. Either they apply or they do not apply. In connection with the above statements, we also know that there are differ ences between a Christian (one who is bom again by the Holy Spirit) and the non-Christian. The Christian believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and has access to God’s power. Those who have truly accepted Christ as their personal Saviour have a posi tion of sonship with God. In addition to their dwindling old nature they
THE KING 'S BUSINESS
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