It seems as though there is a trend where self help is making its way in to many Churches. We currently are hosting a class at our Church called "Safe People". Does the Bible teach only God can know a person’s heart? Why should we try to determine a person’s heart using man made analysis? Was the woman at the well a safe person? How about Saul, before he became Paul, was he safe? Should we be judging others in an area only God has the right? At what point are we being the Potter and not the clay? There seems to be many man made solutions to many man made problems. Where does God fit in?- Courtney
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Re: Self Help
I imagine you have a sense of what the answer ought to be, I’d be curious to hear it. Here is mine.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits."
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."
"Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man…"
"Be as innocent as a dove and wise as a serpent."
You didn’t ask if Jesus is safe. Is taking up a cross and sharing in Jesus’ sacrifice "safe?"
It seems that God has already judged us when God "fit in" to Jesus and walked among us; showing us what it is to be truly human. So, perhaps, only God can know the secrets of the heart, but God has also given us a way to "test the spirits" if you will. We ought to be kind and forgiving, but not naive, push-overs.
Re: Self Help
I will try to approch this with love and in the Spirit.
It recently came to my attention that a major Theology college in California has graduated 50% psychology students this year. 30 years ago it graduated 100% Theology students. What is happening to our Churches? Can psychology in Church produce Fruit? Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. Can self help programs in Church produce Fruit? Self help is the study of the self and how we can solve our own problems. Most of these programs will add in "if it is God’s Will" as an afterthought.
Is this a reason to be concerned?
Matthew 7:14-16 comes to mind.
What do you think?
Courtney
Re: Self Help
Theology says that we are "fallen" creatures; heart, mind and body. Theolgy says the we are sinful. Theology says that being reconciled with God is the way toward an abundant, eternal life.
Psychology says that our broken relationships disorder our minds and that the restoration of these relationships bring wholeness. There are Chirstian psychologists who say that the relationship that needs to be restored is ultimately with God.
You can look at theology and psychology as two ways to explain the same thing. If a couple comes to me and their struggling with their marriage or if an individual comes to me depressed, I’m going to use what I learned in pastoral counseling (psychology) to help them. There is psychology in the theology we use.