1
Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in America.
Clyde M. Narramore, Ed.D.
cepts and philosophies. A well in formed Christian believer can certain ly detect which of their theories are fallible. Castles in the A ir What causes daydreaming? We find that our seven-year-old boy day dreams a lot, and his teacher has complained of this at school. Everyone daydreams some. It isn’t especially harmful unless it interferes with getting things done, or unless one comes to enjoy the dream-world more than the real one. Actually, people daydream because it is more pleasurable than doing what they are expected to do. When a child finds his school work too hard or too dull, or even too easy, he is apt to start daydreaming. In other words, daydreaming is an es cape. One’s imagination often sup plies a more satisfying place to be. Children love activity. If they are expected to sit for too long a time, or if they are doing something with out a real purpose, they may day dream. We find that timid children are apt to substitute excessive read ing and daydreaming for playing ag gressively. Some daydreaming can be taken care of by giving more purposeful and challenging work, or by making tasks easier, whichever is appropriate. Of course each case has to be handled differently inasmuch as no two chil dren have exactly the same reasons for being unhappy with life. Nagging and scolding usually make the situation worse. I would suggest that you find out when and where he daydreams. You will be more likely to discover the cause ,of your boy’s daydreaming if you en courage him to talk a great deal about what he likes and dislikes, as well as about his fears and his joys. Readers are invited to submit questions which will be answered in future issues. Address questions to Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, King's Business, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California. ——ED.
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 cern ing 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 true. 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 true and very helpful. Others 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 is 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 ef fectively. Most psychologists and p sy ch ia trists believe that all behavior is caused and that the causes are mul tiple. 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: nat ural 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 worth-while contributions to the field of psychology, however, I would by no means accept in total their con
Clearing Confusion I am a college psychologist 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 applies 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? 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 envir onment.” 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 born again by the Holy Spirit) and the non-Christian. The Christian be liever is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and has access to godly power. Those who have truly accepted Christ as their personal Saviour have a posi tion of sonship with God. In addi tion to their dwindling old nature they have a growing new nature. This being true, there are great un derstandings which are revealed to Christian psychologists, and which naturally are not revealed to psychol ogists who have not been born again. That is why a brilliant psychologist
28
THE KING'S BUSINESS
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker