What can Christians expect from Psychology and Psychotherapy?

We are living in a time where more and more people are seeking help from psychologists. And sadly enough even pastors and clergymen nowadays put their confidence in psychology rather than trusting God.

But are the popular methods of psychology and therapy indeed neutral and scientific-sound remedies for the mind, or are they perhaps pseudo-religious healing methods of an occult character? Can Christian belief and psychology go together? Should the therapist be a Christian, or should a Christian standing upon firm principles keep away from psychology? According to Franzke, p. 66.

According to our orientation on the Bible, there are some unmovable points of truth. Truth cannot be “determined” by majority, neither can truth change. Truth remains truth.

1. Jesus Christ alone is the living Son of God, is truly God, is truly man, is Saviour and Lord. One who is setting other powers above or beside Jesus Christ, or preaches another Christ, is, as the Bible says, preaching an anti-Christ. (Matt. 24:24).

2. The Holy Writ alone, the Bible, is the all-true, all-sufficient and for salvation- necessary revelation of God for us.
We do not need a “higher knowledge” and no “AKASHA – Chronicle.” When one teaches “spiritual truths” which go beyond the Scriptures or are even contrary to its whole context and meaning, preaches another, an anti-gospel. (Gal. 1:6).

3. Grace alone is the way out from the real existing and enslaving power of sin – and not the speculation-based evolution-impulse of a falsified Christ who wants to spur man into a self-salvation and by that leading him into despair. (Rom. 3:23).

4. Faith alone, the childlike trusting acceptance of the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross will in the life of the Christian make grace effective and procures salvation, not a speculation, and cognition obsession after the gnostic model which only serves self, but pushes God aside. (Rom. 3:21).

If we take a look at psychology then the spiritual foundation upon which we stand is extremely important and is vital for the investigation. From this base we view, judge and merit psychology.

Psychology is the investigation and diagnosis of man himself, the decisive factor which can easily lead to look at things in an altogether too human way. According to individual views and focuses there will be different results.

A secular-oriented psychologist will naturally come to different conclusions than one who knows the Bible. One based on New Age will deliver his results from this aspect. Occult-influenced psychologists will give their ideas based on that background. People who are inspired by eastern religions again view psychology differently.

What is the Soul?

“Generally we understand the soul being the life-giving, intellectual principle in man. It determines man’s individuality and personality. Is one not yet aware of this fact, then he may at the death of a close person look carefully. What he sees before him as corpse is dead matter and the loss of personality and individuality of that person. The soul of man cannot be found. For the beholder it disappeared with the death of the individual. The dead body is yet present, but the actual thing, the ‘resident’ of that body is gone.” – Berger, p. 42.

Psychology, also called “Science of the Mind”

Let us begin with some definitions from the dictionary:
“Psychology: the science dealing with the mind and with mental and emotional processes.”
“Psychotherapy: treatment of mental disorder by any of various means involving communication between the trained person and the patient and including suggestion, counseling, psychoanalysis, etc. ” – Webster’s Dictionary.

Above I presented a quote about a dead person. Now let us look to the living person: “Also in the living person the soul cannot be ‘found’. It does not consist of a ‘matter-organ-character,’ but is of a different make up; it cannot be captured though some scientists would like to see it that way.”

Thus psychology faces no insignificant consequence from these connections, which is classed as the science of the mind. She is not eligible to make statements about the nature and attributes of the mind, because these lie beyond her upon experience-based methods. Even if she discovers certain characteristics and analyses them, her judgment on them will always remain preliminary and must vary with every individual.

“All mental expressions about fright, despair, love, regret, hope, loyalty, compassion, etc., can only be observed and described, but never totally be fixed down, because the mind cannot be put into a box. Thus psychology can never be secure from disappointments and shocking surprises. When making statements about the mind, she must accept that she is dealing with a certain stranger.” – Berger, p. 43.

Carl Gustav Jung, with whom we shall become acquainted in this lecture, who is also called the founder of psychotherapy, “admitted that no one knows what ‘psyche’ is.” – Hunt, Occult Invasion, p. 462.
“Man is very limited when trying to investigate his mind by himself and to fathom its depths. … Since an unscientific study about the mind is not going to help us, we look to Him to whom our soul points, namely: to God.” – Berger, p. 43.

An Example

Dave Hunt in his book “An Urgent Sigmund Freud Call to a Serious Faith,” delivers a critical view about the effectiveness of psychology:

“In the 19th century, American physicians knew of a ‘mental disorder’ with the name Drapetomania. It occurred only among the slaves and many were affected. The patients suffered from a forceful urge to flee. When the American Civil War was over and the slaves were liberated, the disease disappeared instantly.

‘The record of success in psychology has not improved much since then. The known Jewish psychiatrist, Professor Thomas Szasz, called psychology the ‘shrewd and cynical destruction of man’s spirituality and her substitute through the positivist ‘science of the mind’. … Yet the churches jump upon every new theory, and their members become more and more dependent upon unbiblical methods to solve their problems.” – Hunt, p. 116. (Translators note: This quote has been freely translated from the German version, the original in English was not available).

In another place Prof. Szasz called psychotherapy, the therapy of the mind, “not merely a religion that pretends to be a science… (but) a fake religion that seeks to destroy true religion.” – Hunt, Invasion, p. 457.

Other secular psychologists “described psychotherapy as a kind of national religion, with a gospel of self-fulfillment and with therapists as the new priests.” – Ibid.

Why are solutions sought away from the Bible? Why is no attempt being made in and with the word of God to find solutions? Because the enemy succeeded that his theories which are outside of the word of God, coming from the world beneath, have became socially fashionable and generally acceptable.

He is considered to be the leading founder of psychoanalysis. His works made him throughout the world a recognized and often quoted scientist. The influence of his works and literature far exceeds psychology. Therefore, his unfortunately often-negative influence can be found in many areas. Klaus Berger writes in his book about Freud: “The self-conscious of the people is still today heavily influenced by the ideas of Sigmund Freud.” – Berger, p. 11.

Let us look in the dictionary: Psychoanalysis: A method, developed by Freud and others, of investigating mental processes and of treating neuroses and other disorders of the mind.
When the assumption, “between the conscious and unconscious everything is taking place” is wrong, then the whole building of thought falls apart. It would be an interesting subject to investigate the way of Freud’s thinking in the light of the word of God. Today we occupy ourselves only on the roots and background of Freud. We can draw enough decisive conclusions from his life.

Who was this Sigmund Freud?

In the first 2 _ years of his life Nanny Monika was the most important person. Even after being 30 years old, Freud still brooded over that period of “woe”. In the eight high school years he was six times the top student.

‘The Freud family followed the Jewish faith. … Jewish families cultivated a rigid faith and the Yiddish language. … Sigmund Freud grew up in one of the most religious Jewish families. As soon as he could read he was introduced to the text of the Old Testament.

“After school he became impressed with the ideas of Charles Darwin. They found in him reflection through these ideas: ‘He came to the conclusion that the nervous system of the lower animals gradually and without noticeable borderlines developed into that of higher animals.'” – Berger, p. 17.

Freud and Darwin “draw man away from God and offer him man as the alternative. He is the one who knows all about the where and whereabouts of his life. This way man steps into the place of God. Still today Freud and Darwin suggest through their ideas that man can deliver himself from all the anxious questions of his mind about the origin and purpose of his life.” – Berger, p. 87.

After his postdoctoral lecturing qualifications in 1885, Freud tested the effect of cocaine on himself. Right after taking the drug he felt a sensation of ease and cheer. For more than a year he was using this drug when feeling discouraged and depressed.

Freud studied medicine in Vienna, and when he received a grant in Paris, he came there in Salpetiere, – one of the most famous research sites in Europe – in contact with mental illness and diseases of the nervous system. Dr. Charcot directed Freud’s attention to the mind.

Through the friendship with a Viennese family physician, Josef Breuer, Freud came in contact with Bertha Pappenheim, a patient suffering from hysteria. The treatment of her marked the beginning of psychoanalysis.

Through another friendship with Wilhelm Fliess M.D., the opinion was being formed, that certain illnesses were of sexual origin. This idea runs like a red thread through all the works of Sigmund Freud.

In 1895 he became a member of Brai, a Jewish Masonic Lodge. Many influential, wealthy businessmen, monks, cardinals, popes and politicians were connected with this lodge.

“Dr. Schur, the physician in Freud’s later years, had to ask himself if Freud, who was hopelessly addicted to tobacco, would ever have been able to come to such achievements without the pharmaceutical effect of nicotine.” – Berger, p. 26.

In 1902 Freud founded the “Psychological Wednesday-Union.” From then on psychoanalysis was discussed about and made known on a broader basis.
Through the years Freud grew more and more obstinate. He said of himself: “Personal differences – jealousy or revenge – were on top of the list. Scientific discoveries come after that.” – Berger, p. 29.

Freud died in 1939, sixteen years after constant pain and 33 operations of a cancerous growth in the mouth.
Klaus Berger says in his book about Freud: “In all his utterances about religion one could sense that he had never met the living God. According to his subjective image of God and demanding attitude, God is silent. He had to, because Freud would not let Him speak.” – Berger, p. 95.

How is the Work of Freud to be Classified?

In this article I am not going into a presentation about Freud’s psychoanalysis, but the “totally absurd theories … reveal much about his personality.” – According to Franzke, p. 9.

Dr. Franzke continues further, “Freud, who studied alchemy and eastern religions, obviously possessed an amazing amount of secret knowledge. First, he experimented with hypnosis, the ritual thumb pressure upon the third eye, the point between the eyebrows … finally he was inspired to use the Yoga eye technique … to induce an altered subconsciousness. … He opened the door to transcendence for himself with the help of drugs, the regular intake of cocaine to become inspired by the powers from beyond.” – Franzke, p. 10.

“From a biblical point of view hypnosis or trance opens neither the door to the unconscious, nor subconscious, not the door to the world of the gods of India, or even to the realm of shamanic ancestors, patrons or spirits, but only opens the gate of the world of darkness, the world of evil spirits and demons. Obviously Freud in his self-analysis has been fooled by these lying spirits, when it was ‘revealed’ to him, that when a little child, he had a sexual desire for his mother. On the basis of this ‘pseudo – memory’ he developed the demonic (heretic) doctrine of the ‘Oedipus Complex’. This even unbelieving writers notice: “In the thoughts of Freud the occult was also playing a key role. The passiveness of the analyzer, leaving out active participation during the session, prepares the way to let the demonical (as the subconscious had been called in those days) come out of its cage. The doors at least would be opened.” – Franzke, p. 11.

Dr. Franzke, a faithful Christian who was taking a good look on supernatural phenomenon, puts a clear argument against Freud’s theory of the subconscious: “In an altered state of consciousness the door always opens only to transcendence, to the world of gods, spirits and demons, to the underworld of shamans, but never the door to the subconscious or subconsciousness. … In hypnosis of trance the patients or clients turn into spiritualistic mediums, who receive messages from the beyond and channel them. … In hypnosis or trance the patients are helpless tools, yielding body, mind and spirit to occult powers. Not the patient speaks in trance, but a strange, occult power.” – Franzke, p. 13.

Modern New Age literature supports Freud’s theories. “It seems that after some roundabouts, Freud did become the greatest advocate for the human mind.” – Berger, p. 117.

The psychologist Stekels says about Freud: “I was an apostle of Freud who was my Christ.” – Berger, p. 118. Though Freud has also been criticized during his lifetime by other psychologists, his ego was always at his disposal. “Anything that in discussions would speak against him was condemned and labeled as untruth.” … “Through Otto Rank and Erich Fromm, Freud has still a great effect upon millions of people, thus his theories and teachings are carried on.” – Berger, p. 118.

“Even though Freud had here and there some detailed questions which have been modified by his students, his theory remained.” – Berger, p. 119. Klaus Berger heard with his own ears the remark of a close Freud-disciple during a seminar session: The Lord’s Supper is a meal for the dead, taking part in Christ’s death, and is therefore primitive cannibalism.’ ” – Berger, p. 118.

“Not the Bible alone but also the manifold experiences of pastors and clergymen with possessed people show, that Freud actually dealt with possessed persons, which he during hypnosis turned into spiritualistic mediums, to enquire occult powers about the cause of their problems and sufferings… Instead of helping the patients, terrible artificial possession attacks were induced to them and thus often really did become possessed.” – Franzke, p. 15.

Klaus Berger summarizes his exposition about Sigmund Freud with the meaningful subtitle: “Rape of the Mind” with the following: ‘The extensive study and examination of the life, work and effect of Sigmund Freud brought the raping of the mind through him to the surface. Instead of receiving fitting and helpful statements about the mind of man, we find deception and lies. In the matter of soul knowledge Freud is making himself God. Those who want to follow Freud and accept his teaching must take into account that they will miss the true sense of life ending up in Jhe fog of mythology.” – Berger, p.133

We can cover this thought with a quote from a correspondence of Freud with Marie Bonaparte: “In the moment we are asking for the meaning and value of life, we are sick.” – Berger, p. 114.

Was Freud Successful in the Treatment of his Patients?

On the basis of what was mentioned above this question can be dismissed. Freud’s idea was to bring back suppressed memories, to uncover the trauma and to treat it. He writes about this: “We are not to believe what they (the patients) say, (when they deny having memories), we must always assume and tell them, too, that they have kept something back…. We must insist on this, we must repeat the pressure and represent ourselves as infallible, till at last we are told something. … the pressure technique, in fact, never fails.” – Freud, Standard ed. quoted by Hunt, Invasion, p. 449.

The most famous patient of Freud was Wolfman Sergej P. Evidently he never had been healed. In the paper “Welt am Sonntag”, March 30, 1980 a report about bis treatment with the statement: ‘The most famous patient of psychoanalysis Sergej P. whom Freud had declared as being healed, looked in his later years at psychoanalysis with great skepticism. His oppressive facet: ‘With psychoanalysis one lives more or less with a strange mind'” – Berger, p. 103.

We could speak of other cases of patients who never became cured. There are such who are Freud-specialists, who say that in his entire career he had not cured one single patient! Dave Hunt in his book “Occult Invasion” gives a devastating statement against Sigmund Freud:

“Freud was a basket case who often fainted, could not control his own sexual impulses, couldn’t stop smoking even after 30 operations, and was haunted by superstitions. Freud said, ‘Patients are nothing but riff-raff. The only useful purposes they serve are to help us make a living and to provide learning material. In any case, we cannot help them.'” – Hunt, Invasion, p. 439.
The already quoted psychologist Prof. Szasz declared: “One of Freud’s most powerful motives in life was… to inflict vengeance on Christianity.” – Ibid. p. 457.

For the true Bible-believing person it is now obvious: From such unbiblical sources can come no help at all.
Klaus Berger comments: “Freud’s atheism has wide repercussions, penetrates nearly all the disciplines of the arts, influencing the lifestyle of the people. Those who perceive this or have even experienced it in their lives, turn around to ponder upon the one and only truth and return like the prodigal son to the father. For the theory of Freud has even less to survive for a hurt, helpless and help-seeking life than the husks of the swine, of which the prodigal son so badly wanted to eat.” – Berger, p. 123.

References

1) Berger, Klaus, Sigmund Freud – Rape of the Mind, Schwengeler Verlag, Berneck, Schweiz, 1984.
2) Franzke, Dr. Reinhard, Psychotherapien – Hilfen der Seelsorge oder Werkzeuge des Occultismus, Logos Verlag, Lage, 2000.
3) Gassmann, Dr. Lothar, Selbstverwirklichung – Zauberwort in Psychologic und Seelsorge, Logos Verlag, Lage, 1999.
4) Hunt, Dave, An urgent call to a serious faith, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene Orgegon, 2000; Occult Invasion, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene Oregon, 1998.
5) Jaffe, Aniela, Erinnerungen, Traume und Gedanken von C.GJung, Zurich, Stuttgart, 1984.
6) Meskemper, Gottfried, Falsche Propheten unter Dichtem und Denkern, Schwengeler Verlag, Berneck, Schweiz, 5, Auflage 2000.
7) Nannen, Els, Carl Gustav Jung – Der getriebene Visionaer, Schwengeler Verlag, Berneck, Schweiz, 1991.
8) Vogel, Friedhold, Handbuch der neutestamentlichen Verheissungen, Haenssler Verlag, Holzgerlingen, 2000.